Dr. O’Connor is a licensed psychologist in the State of New Jersey. Dr. O’Connor has extensive experience treating individuals who have experienced trauma, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders. She specializes in the treatment of adults dually diagnosed with intellectual/developmental disabilities and psychiatric disorders. She often utilizes psychodynamic and interpersonal frameworks and employs techniques from psychodrama in both individual and group psychotherapy sessions; however, her focus is always in building a strong relationship with her clients with an emphasis on safety, self-advocacy, and empowerment.

Dr. O’Connor received her undergraduate degree from Smith College, a Master’s Degree from Columbia University, and Master’s and Doctoral Degrees from Rutgers University. Dr. O’Connor completed her doctoral dissertation on caregiver wellness, specifically the positive impacts that mindful staff have on their clients’ behavior. She is keenly aware of the role of coregulation and the importance that systems play in all of our lives.

Prior to joining the Center for NeuroWellness, Dr. O’Connor worked as Clinical Director at The Arc, Ocean County Chapter as well as The Arc of Monmouth where she delivered outpatient individual, marital, family, and group psychotherapy services to clients with intellectual/developmental disabilities and mental health concerns. She has worked on interdisciplinary teams comprised of psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed professional counselors, licensed clinical social workers, and behavior specialists. Dr. O’Connor recognizes the need for training and awareness in the identification and treatment of the dually diagnosed population and serves as an Assistant Adjunct Professor of Pediatrics at Rutgers University’s Boggs Center to provide this specialized education and training to graduate students.

Dr. O’Connor is passionate about animal welfare and spends all of her free time loving her wild bunch of pups.