Laura Berness, PhD

Undergraduate Education

BA, Rutgers University (Honors Program, Phi Beta Kappa)

Graduate Education

MA & PhD, State University of New York at Binghamton

Clinical Internship

AHRC-New York City

NJ License #35S100505700

Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology APIT #12430

I am a NJ Licensed Psychologist with experience treating children, adolescents, and adults.  My training primarily is in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a particular focus on children, adolescents, and parenting.  Prior to founding Stepping Stones Psychological Services of Princeton, I worked in a private practice in northern New Jersey for five years.  I also have worked in other clinical settings including residential and day treatment centers for children and adolescents, and a mental health agency that specialized in children, adolescents, and adults with developmental disabilities.   I have experience working with a wide array of disorders such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, school refusal, and others.  My experience also includes training in pediatric psychology issues such as adjusting to chronic medical conditions, medication refusal, pain management, and toileting problems. 

In addition to my private practice work, I was a tenured Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology at William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ.  From 2005-2015, I taught various Psychology courses at the undergraduate and graduate level.  As a researcher, I published primarily in the area of pediatric psychology and presented this research at the local and national level.  In 2015, I decided to leave academia in order to dedicate myself full time to working with children and families in my private practice in Princeton. 

Community involvment is of particular importance to me and I believe that psychologists can can contribute in unique ways.  I have been fortunate to partner with Princeton Nassau Pediatrics in the development of their mental health lecture series for parents.  I also serve as a member of the Hopewell Valley Municipal Alliance (Healthy Communities, Healthy Youth Resource Commitee).  In addition, I am a member of the American Psychological Association, the New Jersey Psychological Association, and the Mercer County Psychological Association.