Meet Our Staff

Margaret Pittaluga, MSW, LCSW, ACS is a co-founder and Executive Director of the Center for Evaluation and Counseling, Inc. She received a BSW from Kean University in New Jersey and a MSW from Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania.  Ms. Pittaluga has a Diplomate in Clinical Social Work.  She is a “Qualified Clinical Social Worker” through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker through the State of New Jersey.  She is certified in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Ms. Pittaluga has testified as an Expert Witness on issues pertaining to custody and child abuse/neglect in multiple counties in New Jersey.  She holds numerous certifications in advanced professional training. Ms. Pittaluga volunteers on many county advisory boards. Ms. Pittaluga has been a staunch advocate for others for over forty years.  Favorite quote: “When Your Past Calls, Don’t Answer; it has nothing new to say.”

Michael J. Fiore, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist with over 30 years of experience providing and supervising clinical and forensic services to a child abuse and neglect population. Dr. Fiore completed two master’s degrees (Psychology and Mental Health Services) as well as a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at the Graduate Faculty, New School for Social Research. Dr. Fiore’s post-doctoral studies were in the area of Family Therapy at the New Jersey Center for Family Studies. Dr. Fiore has completed advanced training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. He was on the faculty for the New Jersey Child Abuse Training Institute and is a founding member of N.J. APSAC (American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children). Dr. Fiore is a co-author of the NJ Governor’s Task Force Best Practices Manual Chapter on Forensic Assessments. He is also the author of “Jonathon’s Journal,” a novel which deals with the therapeutic recovery of an adult survivor of child sexual abuse. Dr. Fiore is the Clinical Director and co-founder of Center for Evaluation and Counseling, Inc. He has developed innovative approaches to service provision in child abuse, including Forensic Team Assessments and Therapeutic Supervised Visitation. He is highly respected as a teacher, clinical supervisor, forensic evaluator, psychotherapist, and expert witness.

Amanda Catizone, MA obtained a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Educational Psychology with a Concentration in Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology from Montclair State University. She has been an employee of CEC since 2008. She then obtained the position of the Team Leader in 2010 and since transitioned to the Forensic and Clinical Coordinator. Amanda has served as an active member of the Sussex County Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) since 2010. Amanda has been trained and certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Child First/Finding Words Assessments, and the Nurtured Heart Approach.  Amanda believes in utilizing an integrative approach with her clients, driven by case goals and client needs. Aside from her dedication to helping others, Amanda’s greatest joys are spending time with family, being at the beach, and going on hikes.

Heather Diamond, MSW, LCSW, ACS is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) in the State of New Jersey. She graduated from New York University with a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree in 2001.  Since that time, Heather has worked at CEC where she started as a clinician and is now responsible for overseeing the staff and clinicians of the Parsippany office.  In the past 20 years, Heather has gained significant experience in the areas of child abuse and neglect, trauma, mental illness, substance abuse, and attachment through the work she has done as a therapist and a forensic evaluator.   She continuously enhances her knowledge, having completed such trainings as TF-CBT, EMDR, Evidence Based Assessments, and Nurtured Heart Approach.

Christopher Friedrich, MA, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of New Jersey. He graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Forensic Psychology and a MA degree in Forensic Mental Health Counseling. He has been employed by the Center for Evaluation and Counseling, Inc. (CEC) since 2006. Chris provides outpatient individual psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and adults regarding abuse, neglect, trauma, co-occurring disorders, adjustment difficulties, and substance abuse. He approaches therapy from a strength-based and goal-oriented perspective. Chris has been trained and certified in the Strengths and Needs Assessment through the Children’s System of Care in New Jersey, as well as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Nurtured Heart. In his free time, Chris enjoys traveling, sports, and spending time with his family.

Stephanie Kurilla, Psy.D., LPC, ACS, is a Licensed Psychologist and holds a Doctorate Degree in Counseling Psychology from Saint Elizabeth’s University. Dr. Kurilla also holds two Master’s Degrees from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Forensic Psychology and Forensic Mental Health Counseling. Dr. Kurilla is dedicated to working with children, adolescents, adults, and families who have experienced trauma. Dr. Kurilla has also been qualified as an expert in the areas of child abuse and neglect, risk assessments, parental fitness, and child sexual abuse by the New Jersey Family Court in various counties. For over 10 years, Dr. Kurilla has been a member of the Morris County Multi-Disciplinary Team, which is made up of various professionals working together to support abused/neglected children through the civil and criminal systems. Dr. Kurilla also works with clients in an outpatient setting at CEC. Dr. Kurilla approaches treatment with a compassionate and integrated approach, having completed such trainings as EMDR, TF-CBT, DBT, Evidence Based Assessments, and the Nurtured Heart Approach. Dr. Kurilla is passionate about educating others and has presented at numerous conferences both locally and nationally on the topics of Forensic Team Assessments. Additionally, Dr. Kurilla has been on staff as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychology at New Jersey City University, Fairleigh Dickinson University (Madison Campus), and is currently teaching several courses at Saint Elizabeth’s University in the undergraduate and graduate departments.

Melissa A. Ciottone, PsyD graduated from College of Saint Elizabeth with a Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology degree. Dr. Ciottone has extensive education, training, and experience in the areas of child abuse and neglect, trauma, severe and persistent mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and forensic assessments. Dr. Ciottone has been employed by the Center for Evaluation and Counseling, Inc. (CEC) since 1999. She conducts forensic assessments and provides treatment for children and families who are involved in the Child Protective Services’ system. Dr. Ciottone has provided supervision to a team of clinicians and has provided court-ordered visitation for families. Dr. Ciottone has also been qualified as an expert in the areas of child abuse and neglect, risk assessments, parental fitness, and child sexual abuse by the New Jersey Family Court in various counties. She served as a stand-in member of the local Multi-Disciplinary Team, which is made up of various professionals working together to support abused/neglected children through the civil and criminal systems. Dr. Ciottone also served as a stand-in member of the local Multi-Disciplinary Team Advisory Board to improve decision making and productivity among various agencies in the county.  Dr. Ciottone is trained in the Nurtured Heart Approach, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

Nicole Pittaluga received her B.A. in Psychology from Rutgers University and her M.A. in Counseling Psychology from the College of St. Elizabeth.  Nicole is a Licensed Professional Counselor in NJ, a National Certified Counselor and a Board Certified Coach.  She has experience in outpatient counseling with adults, adolescents and children.  Nicole provides a safe, supportive environment and a strength-based, solution-focused approach to help her clients achieve their goals in therapy.  In her free time, Nicole enjoys yoga, time in nature and reading.

Dana Dresser graduated from Seton Hall University with a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Professional Counseling. She obtained her Bachelors (BA) in Psychology from Ramapo College of New Jersey. She is currently in the process of completing an Educational Specialist (Ed.S) degree in Mental Health Counseling from Seton Hall University. She has experience in working with children, adolescents and adults with emotional and behavioral difficulties in outpatient and non-profit settings. Additionally, she has experience working with adults with disabilities in vocational rehabilitation settings. Being a co-facilitator of the adolescent program, she also has experience with conducting psychoeducational groups for adolescents.

Dana uses an integrated approach in therapy, having completed trainings in Problematic Sexualized Behavior Cognitive Behavior Therapy (PSB-CBT), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), and the Nurtured Heart Approach (NHA). She is a certified Employment Specialist in New Jersey. She is also certified in Trial-Based Work Experiences (TWE) and Community-Based Work Experiences (CBWE). In addition, she is certified in Six Sigma and Active Listening and Communication in the Workplace. Dana is a member of the Kappa Delta Pi International Honors Society in Education and a student affiliate of the American Counseling Association (ACA).

D’Evian Cobbs graduated from Caldwell University with a Bachelor’s in Public Health. She has since worked with non-profit organizations that work with the Division of Child Protection and Permanency. As the Regional Coordinator, D’Evian has enjoyed her experience of aiding in the positive reconnection between children and their families. She continues to educate herself within the practices and ideologies of Supervised Visitation services to ensure that the families are receiving the support they deserve. In her free time, D’Evian enjoys going to the movies and reading her latest book.