Meet the Staff

Ronald Becker, MSSW, LCSW, CEAP - DiRECTOR

Ronald Becker has over 25 years experience in the field of mental health. Prior to joining Saint Peter's College, he was the Director of Behavioral Health Services for Christ Hospital's Behavioral Health Center in Jersey City. He has provided and supervised psychotherapy and counseling services to individuals, couples, families, and groups, throughout his professional career.

Ron received his Master's degree in clinical social work from Columbia University and his undergraduate degree from Saint Peter's College. While an administrator at Christ Hospital, he developed and supervised several specialized programs directed toward students. These programs provided mental health and substance abuse education, support groups, and staff consultation to various New Jersey community schools.

Ron has been a consultant to both schools and corporations on topics including coping with stress, eating disorders, and time management.

COLLEEN SZEFINSKI, LPC, LCADC,ccs - ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Colleen received her Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Saint Peter’s College and her Masters in Counseling Psychology from Frostburg State University in Frostburg Maryland. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

Prior to joining the Center for Personal Development, Colleen worked in the behavioral healthcare field for fifteen years. Recently, she worked at Northwest Essex Community Mental Health Center in Bellville for 2.5 years where she supervised staff providing services to people with mental illnesses and substance abuse issues. She started her career at Catholic Community Services, where she worked for 12.5 years providing an array of counseling services, as well as managing and developing addiction programs. She has worked with adolescents and adults, and has interfaced with many community agencies, including school systems, DYFS, drug treatment programs, the Intoxicated Driver Resource Center, and the criminal justice system.

 Marni Brand, LMSW- Counselor

Marni recieved her Masters Degree in Social Work from New York University, where she also holds a certificate in Clinical Practice with Adolescents.  She obtained her Bachelors in Psychology  from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Prior to coming to St. Peter's, Marni began her Masters level career working at a Brooklyn Public High School providing individual and group treatment. In her role there, she was responsible for crisis intervention and teacher/family collaborations.  Before starting graduate school, Marni served in various roles assisting mentally ill adults, coordinating services for NYC children with developmental delays, counseling court mandated substance abusers, conducting intake assessments on a liver transplant unit and traveling throughout the Middle East. Through all of these experiences she has learned to relate to different populations and tailor services to meet the unique needs of those she serves.

Marni currently serves as the liaison to the following departments:  Athletics, the Freshman Class and the Center for Advancement in Language and Learning.

 Jessica Disla, LMSW, LSW- Counselor

Jessica joined Saint Peter's College in March, 2008. Prior to Saint Peter's, she worked for St. Barnabas Hospital- Fordham Tremont CMHC in New York City, where she provided outpatient psychotherapy to individuals, groups and families with wide ranging mental health needs. She has also worked for Bilingual Consultants as a crisis therapist in the Hudson, Passaic and Essex Counties in New Jersey. At that agency, she provided intensive intervention services to children, adolescents and families regarding suicide prevention, self injurious behaviors and behavioral management.

Jessica is fluent in English and Spanish and has provided mental health services in various multicultural community settings in Upstate, NY, New York City and New Jersey. She holds a Masters Degree in Social work from the University at Buffalo where she also received her BA in Psychology and Social Sciences Interdisciplinary.

She currently serves as the liaison to the following departments: Residence Life, Health Services, and Campus Ministry.

GAIL CONTE - OFFICE MANAGER & SECRETARY

Gail holds an Associates Degree in Business from Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island.

Prior to coming to Saint Peter’s, Gail coached figure skating for 25 years, and is currently the director of the Bayonne Figure Skating Club.