Bernice Garfield-Szita, MS, LPC, TEP
Bob Szita, MS, LPC, TEP
Co-Directors of Contemporary Counseling Center &
ActionArtz Training Institute


Bernice Garfield-Szita, MS, LPC, TEP

• Masters of Science in Counseling
• Licensed Professional Counselor New Jersey State Lic. # PC00936 (LPC)
• Trainer, Educator, Practioner of Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy (TEP)
• Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC)
• Fellow of ASGPP (American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama)
• Past President of the New Jersey Chapter of ASGPP
• Past Executive Council Member of ASGPP
• Adjunct Faculty Brookdale Community College
• Certified Recreation Administrator, N.J.
• Certified Teacher of Fine Arts, N.Y. & N.J.
• Certified Student Personnel Services, N.J.
• 2004 "Circle of Excellence" Award - Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce
• Chairperson Women in Business Committee Western Monmouth County Chamber of Commerce
• President Center Players, Inc
• Approved Supervisor of NJ State Professional Counselor Licensure
• Approved provider of training credits for national psychodrama certification.
• Approved CEU provider for
  - National Association of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Counselors
  - National Board of Certified Counselors
  - National Registry of Group Psychotherapists
• Twenty-five years clinical counseling experience
  

• Masters of Science in Counseling
• Masters of Science in Marine Biology
• Licensed Professional Counselor New Jersey State Lic. # PC00937 (LPC)
• Trainer, Educator, Practioner of Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy (TEP)
• Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC)
• Fellow of ASGPP (American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama)
• Monmouth County SPCA Pet Loss Bereavement Consultant
• Past Membership Chairperson of the New Jersey Chapter of ASGPP
• Adjunct Faculty Brookdale Community College
• Board Member Center Players, Inc
• Approved provider of training credits for national psychodrama certification.
• Approved Supervisor of NJ State Professional Counselor Licensure
• Nineteen years clinical counseling experience
  

   Bernice opened the doors of her successful private counseling center in 1980. She was joined by her husband, Bob, in 1987. Together they developed ActionArtz Training Institute, a highly acclaimed training division of Contemporary Counseling Center, providing innovative programming for corporate, healthcare, education, and community organizations.

     It was not an accident of fate that placed Bernice and Bob in the roles of helping professionals and training consultants but rather their life long love of assisting people to achieve their highest potential. From 1985 to 1998 Bernice was on staff of CentraState Medical System as Coordinator of Counseling & Educational Services for the Hospice/Oncology Department. She originated numerous effective programs for patients, family members, and staff. As a Hospice Consultant, Bob also performed a variety of services for CentraState including: leading cancer patient, diabetes patient, caregiver, and grief support groups. He counseled patients and family members both at the hospital and in their homes.

     They are respected for their work with cancer patients and those who are recovering from grief. They continue this valuable work within their own practice to this day. They donate their time leading a grief counseling program, The Mourning After, at no charge to the participants. Bob has expanded his grief work as a pet loss counselor for the Monmouth County SPCA. He developed the Pet Loss Help Line to assist families in handling the emotional upset from the loss of a loved pet.

     As a professional woman, mother, and wife, Bernice is particularly sensitive to the challenges facing women at home and in the workplace. She has served as chairperson of the Women in Business Committee of the Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce since 1996. During her term, she has led her committee to offer stimulating and empowering programming for both women and men on a monthly basis. These well attended events create a bridge between traditional feminine and masculine perspectives while encouraging a respectful balance. In partnership with Rutgers University and Brookdale College, the Women In Business Committee recently launched a management symposium series, Strategies for Success.

      Bernice is a member of the Board of Directors of the Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce and Chair of the Cultural Arts Committee of the Downtown Freehold Partnership.

     Bob brings his life experiences into the counseling and training areas of the practice. He has had numerous developmental career changes including working as a marine biologist, science teacher, boat builder, Director of Education at the Staten Island Zoo and finally Co-Director of Contemporary Counseling Center and ActionArtz Training Institute. He has experienced first hand the role and challenges of step parenting as he, Bernice, and her daughters learned about the ups and downs of living in a blended family.

     Bernice and Bob’s strong commitment to community has been demonstrated consistently throughout their career. Bernice is President and Chair of the Programming Committee for Center Players, Inc. of Freehold. She and Bob were part of the original board of trustees that opened the doors in March 2001 to the highly celebrated Center Playhouse, Freehold’s resident theater. As part of the founding “mothers and fathers”, they worked tirelessly to fund raise, direct, and act in the Signature Series productions. They are instrumental in guiding Center Players in developing a warm welcoming atmosphere for actors, technical staff, and volunteers and its reputation as a “theater with heart in the heart of the community”.

     Bernice and Bob share a love of live theater and the expressive arts. They are currently seeking funding for Humanity Players, a dramatic interactive community education program they developed. They have joined forces with the Freehold Borough YMCA Community Center to offer action programming to multicultural and multigenerational audiences. Bob has brought some of his science background to offer a multi-disciplinary environmental studies program to the community youth at the Y.

     They have been honored in their profession by being elected Fellows in the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama. Bernice is a past executive counsel member of the ASGPP. Bernice and Bob have been awarded numerous grants for their unique programming relating to illness and loss. As Athena award nominee, three years running Bernice was applauded by the Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce as a powerful role model and mentor who supports synergistic projects that encourage people of all ages, socioeconomic status, and ethnic diversity to have the opportunity to appreciate the gifts they bring to the community at large.

     In their “spare” time, Bernice and Bob share a fondness for their garden, growing unique flowers and vegetables and enjoying their numerous family pets which include dogs, cats, cockatiels, chickens, and goldfish & frogs in their garden pond. They feel privileged to do the work they enjoy that reflects the integrity and love within their personal and professional life.