Meet the Team
Susan Tellone, MSN, CSN, BSN, RN
Executive Director
Susan Tellone is a highly accomplished Certified School Nurse and health educator with over four decades dedicated to psychiatric nursing, particularly in suicide prevention. She began her career as one of the first Psychiatric Emergency Suicide Screeners (PESS) at Monmouth Medical and taught for years at the University of Medicine and Dentistry on New Jersey's psychiatric screening law.
Jennifer Fria, MA, MS, LPC, PMH-C, ACS
Clinical Director
Licensed Professional Counselor
- Accepting New Clients
- Available for In-Person and Telehealth
- In Network for Horizon, Aetna and Cigna
Jennifer Fria is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Clinical Director at the Samaritan Center. Jennifer holds an MA degree from New York University in applied psychology and a MS degree in mental health counseling from Monmouth University. Jennifer is a certified clinical supervisor and has a certification in perinatal mental health. Jennifer is also trained in EMDR.
Jennifer maintains a holistic approach to therapy. With a focus on the integration of effective therapeutic modalities to develop an individualized treatment. Jennifer creates a welcoming and warm environment so you can feel comfortable to address and process tough issues and experiences. Jennifer works with children, adolescents, adults, and couples.
Claire Minarick
Chief of Staff
Claire brings nearly 30 years of executive support experience to her role as Chief of Staff at Samaritan Center at the Jersey Shore. After a successful career supporting C‑Suite leaders across multiple for‑profit industries, she transitioned to the nonprofit sector in 2023 to align her work with her passion for mental health advocacy and community impact. She joined the Samaritan Center at the Jersey Shore in late 2025, where she serves as a strategic partner focused on process improvement, project management, financial accuracy, and creative development efforts to strengthen fundraising and outreach. Claire is a member of the Ocean County chapter of the National Organization for Women as well as her township’s TNR program, reflecting her commitment to compassionate, community‑centered service.
Chloe Grennan, MA, LAC, NCC
Licensed Associate Counselor
- Accepting New Clients
- Available for In-Person and Telehealth
- In Network for Horizon, Aetna and Cigna
Chloe is a Licensed Associate Counselor in the state of New Jersey, and she is also certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors. She graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and later earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University.
Chloe has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and couples. She has a concentrated focus on clients struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, relationship challenges, and major life transitions.
Chloe believes every person is unique, and therapy should reflect that. Chloe prioritizes creating a space where you can explore, heal, and grow at your own pace. Chloe helps clients build resilience, improve communication, and develop healthy, lasting coping skills using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. Chloe is also trained in levels 1 & 2 of Gottman Method Couples Counseling.
Samantha Myers, MS, LAC
Licensed Associate Counselor
- Accepting New Clients
- Available for In-Person and Telehealth
- In Network for Horizon, Aetna and Cigna
Samantha is a Licensed Associate Counselor in the state of New Jersey. Samantha earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rowan University and later earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Monmouth University.
Samantha’s approach is rooted in psychodynamic theory, emphasizing the impact of past experiences, unconscious processes, and relational patterns on present challenges. This approach can be particularly effective for individuals struggling with anxiety and depression, relationship issues, self-esteem and identity concerns, trauma and childhood experiences, and emotional regulation and stress management.
Samantha strives to create a reflective, supportive, and collaborative space where clients can explore their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships to gain deeper insight and lasting change. Recognizing that every individual is unique, Samantha tailors treatment to each client’s specific needs, goals, strengths, and life experiences.
With experience working with children, adolescents, and adults, Samantha adapts her approach to meet clients where they are and help individuals develop a greater understanding of themselves and their experiences to foster personal growth and emotional well-being. Samantha is available to work with children, adolescents, adults, and couples.
Susan Settler, MSW, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Accepting New Clients
- Available for In-Person and Telehealth
- In Network for Horizon, Aetna and Cigna
Susan Settler is a licensed clinical social worker who provides therapy for individuals navigating anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and life transitions, as well as couples working through relational challenges. She works from a psychodynamic and family-systems perspective, helping clients understand how patterns from their family history and past experiences may be shaping their present struggles.
Susan is also trained in the Gottman Method and integrates evidence-based tools to support healthier communication and stronger relationships. She is a featured author in the best-selling book The Grief Experience: Tools for Acceptance, Resilience, and Connection.
Susan believes that meaningful change happens within a comfortable, authentic therapeutic relationship. Her approach is strength-based, collaborative, and deeply empathic—guided by warmth, curiosity, and a touch of humor.
Seton E. Cuccio, LCSW, LCADC, PHM-C
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Not Accepting New Clients
- Available for In-Person and Telehealth
- In Network for Horizon
Seton enjoys helping people learn to express their feelings, process their feelings without judgement, and look for solutions to move forward toward their goals, both in therapy and beyond. Seton works with adult men and women looking to empower themselves and created positive changes in their lives.
Seton has substantial experience working with people with anxiety, depressive, bipolar, psychotic, substance use, co-occurring, and personality disorders. Seton has specialized experience working with people diagnosed with eating disorders and women who are struggling with perinatal mental health issues. Seton has worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Contact Seton if you or someone you know is interested in a solution-focused, humanistic approach to therapy. Nothing is more important to her than helping people discover their strengths and capitalize them to reach their goals and become the versions of themselves they want to be. Seton believes in working together as a team to create real change in a person’s life.
Caroline Chitty, MS, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
- Accepting New Clients
- Available for Telehealth
- In Network for Aetna
Caroline Chitty is a Licensed Associate Counselor in the state of New Jersey. Caroline received her master’s degree in mental health counseling from Monmouth University and has completed Level 1 Training in Gottman Method Couples Counseling. Caroline works with clients spanning various ages to help meet their goals with a holistic approach that is tailored to the clients’ specific needs. She looks to help clients improve their relationship with self as well as others. Caroline is passionate about helping clients live a more meaningful life with enriched relationships.
Colleen Vermeulen
Mental Health Associate
Taylor Benevento
Mental Health Graduate Intern
- Accepting New Clients in early September 2026
Taylor is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student at Monmouth University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Sacred Heart University. Taylor is passionate about helping individuals navigate life’s challenges while recognizing their unique experiences, strengths, and ability to grow. Taylor works from a person-centered approach, believing that meaningful change begins through a safe, genuine, and supportive therapeutic relationship. She strives to create a welcoming space where clients feel heard, valued, and empowered to explore their emotions, develop self-awareness, and work toward their personal goals.
Taylor is committed to supporting clients through challenges such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem struggles, and life transitions. She welcomes and enjoys working with kids, teens, and adults.
Liam McGrath
Mental Health Graduate Intern
- Accepting New Clients in early September 2026
Liam is a graduate student at Monmouth University currently earning his M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Before enrolling in his graduate program, he attended Monmouth as an undergraduate and graduated with a B.A. in Psychology. He has lifelong experience and passion for physical activity, being outdoors, and maintaining a healthy mind, body, and spirit. He has experience working with populations of all ages.
Liam’s therapeutic approach is grounded in Adlerian psychology. At the core of his work is empowerment. His belief is that people are not only shaped by past experiences—but by the meaning they create of them and the goals they carry forward. He helps clients to understand patterns in their lives, strengthen their insight, and to cultivate the courage it takes to make meaningful changes aligned with their values.
Whether you are navigating anxiety, life transitions, relationship challenges, self-esteem concerns, or feeling stuck, Liam believes that therapy can be more than healing—it can be an opportunity to rediscover a sense of purpose, live more authentically, and strive for self-actualization.
Judy McCormick, MA
School Counselor and Educator
Judy is the Community Outreach Coordinator at The Samaritan Center at The Jersey Shore. Judy was a graduate of Newark State (Kean University) where she received a B.A. in elementary education. She also has a master’s degree from Kean University in School Counseling. She is a licensed School Counselor with 40 years in education. She has worked on the State committees for Awareness of Sexual Abuse, Early Intervention Preschool Education, Career Education, and the Anti-Bullying law which is called the Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Directive in New Jersey.
Her experiences include working as a counselor for PreK-12, organizing and creating the Parent Academy in South Brunswick supervising and developing the H.I.B. programs in South Brunswick and the State of New Jersey, and developing and organizing the curriculum created for the school counselors in her district.
Judy has been a part of The Samaritan Center at The Jersey Shore reaching out and supporting the community in a variety of ways. She interacts and presents at many schools in Monmouth County supporting their needs. Judy also presents at many community wellness fairs. She is a member of the Traumatic Loss Coalition of Monmouth County. Judy has been trained in the Mental Health First Aid for adults and youth that has been presented at The Samaritan Center.