Our Team
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Alison Hoyt, Psy.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Alison Hoyt is a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of New Jersey with over 10-years of experience conducting therapy and assessments. She has worked in various patient populations including private practice, community mental health, intensive outpatient, and neuropsychological assessments. Dr. Hoyt has presented at the annual American Psychological Association convention and has published articles on various topics. She enjoys her dream job of facilitating therapy to help her clients thrive. Her passion is creating a warm therapeutic environment to help her clients reach their goals.
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Will Summers, Psy.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Will Summers is a licensed clinical psychologist in New Jersey. Prior to Ascent, he worked in other private practices, medical clinics, a pediatric clinic, with college athletes, an ADHD treatment center and in community mental health. If asked what drew him to psychology, he would respond that he is truly interested in and curious about people and their experiences. Dr. Summers practices Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and believes life is not about feeling good but about being good at feeling. As such, he believes visits should be efficient and focus on helping people move toward their values even in the context of pain, suffering, etc.
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Erica Smith Psy.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Erica Smith is a licensed clinical psychologist in New Jersey. Prior to joining the Ascent team, she worked with diverse client populations and has experience providing individual and group therapy in college counseling and in integrated healthcare settings. Her areas of interest include adult individual therapy and couples counseling, working with racially diverse populations, and supporting clients who experience interpersonal/relationship challenges, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, trauma, stress management, self-esteem struggles, race-related stress, and emotion-regulation challenges. As a therapist, she offers a safe space filled with patience, empathy and kindness and is passionate about providing clients with a personalized experience that enables them to achieve greater levels of clarity, restoration, and internal and external peace through self-reflection and skill development.
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Nancy Slobodnik, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Virtual appointments only
Dr. Slobodnik compassionately helps clients seeking treatment for anxiety, depression and life stressors. She excels in her warm approach and inviting environment to connect with clients. Bringing 35 years of personal and professional attention to matters of the heart, mind, and body, Dr. Slobodnik seeks to enrich ordinary life and relationships outside the cultural definitions of mental health. She is a process-oriented therapist who emphasizes emotional and relational learning over measurable results -- turning the "seeing, holding lightly, moving through" of internal experiences over until a wiser, more flexible way of life begins to emerge. These uncommon conversations can open and deepen one’s perspective from just getting through each day with the least amount of discomfort to exploring one’s humanity and potentially stepping into one's full, yet humble, power.
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Michelle Cro, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Michelle Cro is a strengths-based Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who takes an open and warm approach to therapy. Michelle has been in the field for over 5 years and prior to Ascent Psychology, has worked in homes, homeless shelters, schools, residential homes, and outpatient settings. She has worked in both Philadelphia and urban/suburban New Jersey. She has had experience working with children, teens, adults, couples, and families. Michelle is a systemic therapist, so she thinks not only about the individual but the system they are part of (couple, family) in order to get the bigger picture. She works with clients who are struggling with anxiety, stress, depression, trauma, grief, and relationship issues. As a therapist, Michelle believes that everyone can benefit from having someone to support them through tough times and be a cheerleader through the amazing ones!
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Kerianne Kuliga, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Kerianne is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over a decade of experience in the social work field. She has had the privilege of working with diverse populations in a variety of settings. Her clientele has included individuals of all ages, who have grappled with anxiety, depression, emotional regulation difficulties, trauma, and relationship challenges, but she especially enjoys working with children and adolescents. As a therapist, Kerianne strongly believes in the therapeutic relationship and takes great pride in fostering a safe and empowering environment where individuals can openly explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
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Sherry Busby, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Sherry Busby is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist within the state of New Jersey.
With over a decade of experience within the field, Sherry believes that everyone should have a safe and healing environment to navigate through life’s uncertainties in a healthy manner. With an emphasis on strength-based approaches, Sherry focuses attention on the positive attributes and behaviors of the client(s) and how these dynamics can be applied to overcome difficulties.
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Sherry also leans into her systemic roots paying special attention to the interactions and relationships between the client and others within their environment. Sherry’s experience with clientele includes that of teens, individuals, couples, families, and the elderly. Before working with the Ascent Psychology team, Sherry had the tremendous privilege of working with diverse populations in a variety of settings. Sherry has assisted clients in tackling issues concerning stress, anxiety, depression, emotional regulation difficulties, areas of trauma, relationship concerns, grief and loss, etc. As a therapist, Sherry offers a safe and non-judgmental space where the goal is to help the client(s) develop strategies and skills that will assist with processing their reactions to changes and circumstances within their lives.
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Michael Hoyt
Practice Manager
Mike is the practice manager for Ascent Psychology. He is responsible for the day-to-day business of the practice and for assisting with client communications.
Please reach out to Mike with any questions, concerns, or comments.