Who We Are
Laura Hoge, LCSW, LCADC (She/Her/Hers)
Clinical Director / Clinical Supervisor / Psychotherapist
Young Adults / Adults
Laura Hoge is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Her approach is collaborative, always understanding that deep down all individuals know who they are, what is best for them, and have the power to actualize into their best selves. Laura sees her role as a partner on this journey of self-discovery. Her approach is mind-body connected, acknowledging that life experiences and generational trauma are stored in the body. She sees the process of therapy as a journey of liberation. Sometimes, this is from negative personal experiences, and sometimes this is freeing one’s self from the internalization of pressures from family, community, or even a wider society.
In addition to her work as a psychotherapist, Laura is also an educator and a community organizer. She has worked as an adjunct at Rutgers and Montclair State, training individuals who are studying to become drug and alcohol counselors, and social workers. She is a member of the MINT, an international organization that oversees proficiency in Motivational Interviewing, WPATH (World Professional Association of Transgender Health), a Level II Practitioner of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and is trained in facilitating Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga. Laura has published a number of op-eds and articles focused on advocacy and support for LGBTQ individuals, and her work has been published in news outlets such as the NJ Star Ledger, NJ.com, and The Advocate.
For more information about Laura: www.laurahoge.com
More Info/Interviews:
https://blog.zencare.co/therapy-laura-hoge-lcsw/
https://www.laurahoge.com/about
Amanda Hager, LPC (She/Her/Hers)
Clinical Supervisor / Primary Therapist
Adolescents/Adults
Amanda (she/her) is a licensed professional counselor who specializes working with LGBTQ individuals (ages 16 and older) and their families. She has extensive experience working with both individuals and groups, most recently having developed and implemented LGBTQ-specific curricula for intensive outpatient treatment facilities in New Jersey. Amanda is passionate about assisting clients through the process of identity formation, taking into account the impact of cisheteronomrative and amatonormative ideals on relationship expectations, as well as the mental and physical health impact of oppression on individuals with multiple marginalized identities.
Amanda has expanded knowledge and experience working with asexual and aromantic (ASPEC) identities, kink culture, transgenerational trauma related to the AIDS epidemic, and the reconciliation of spiritual and religious practice with queer identity and culture. She also specializes working with eating disorders, reproductive health and fertility, complex grief, and is trained to assess for and treat adult ADHD.
Kyle Boomhower, LAC (He/Him)
Primary Therapist
Young Adults / Adults
Kyle Boomhower is a psychotherapist with a decade of experience in both education and mental health. His therapeutic approach revolves around helping individuals navigate interconnected systems of oppression, and collaborating with chosen communities to chart paths toward liberation. Kyle’s expertise spans various levels of mental health care, from hospital settings to partial hospitalization programs and intensive outpatient facilities. He has been instrumental as a collaborator, direct support provider, program creator, teacher, and mentor in underserved areas of New Jersey.
Kyle specializes in working with LGBTQ and BIPOC individuals and their families and assisting marginalized families living with mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders. His approach is trauma-informed and judgment-free, creating an environment that promotes self-discovery and empowerment. As an integrative therapist, Kyle employs evidence-based and creative techniques such as narrative therapy, mindfulness, psychoeducation, and emotion regulation strategies.
Kyle is passionate about creating partnerships with individuals through their journey to understand and affirm their identities. He also conducts community workshops addressing substance use disorders and the unique needs of marginalized communities, including LGTBTQ and BIPOC individuals and their family systems.
Noelle Jensen, LCSW
(She/Her/Hers)
Primary Therapist
Adults/Elders
Noelle brings over 25 years of experience working in the Clinical and Education & Training Divisions of the Rutgers Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies. At the center, Noelle worked in both a clinical and supervisory capacity. We are honored that she has accepted a position on our team.
Noelle’s approach prioritizes relational safety, honoring the importance of meaningful connection and the therapeutic alliance in the process of growth and change. She uses an integrative approach that combines evidence-based and trauma-informed modalities (i.e. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Somatic Therapy, and Internal Family Systems, Mindfulness) to elicit a client’s felt sense of self. This unique approach allows her clients to connect with themselves and their goals with the self-compassion that this process often demands.
Noelle is passionate about working with individuals who are navigating life transitions, specifically as this relates to gender and sexuality. She also specializes working with anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, and trauma.
In addition to psychotherapy, Noelle is an experienced clinical supervisor and is committed to mentoring social workers who are in the process of accruing hours for licensure.
Rev. Jae Quinlan
(They/Them)
Group Facilitator / Spiritual Advisor
Young Adults/Adults
Jae is passionately working alongside what they consider to be a brilliantly assembled group of artists at Artfront Galleries as board member and curator. They also serve as board member and parade coordinator for Newark Pride. Jae’s fine art work has been shown in all the major creative spaces in Newark.
Jae has been working with youth as an advocate and mentor for 20+ years, and their passion for community building maintains that art is a vehicle towards creating and sustaining health and wellness both individually and collaboratively.
Jae is the group facilitator for “Finding Your Sacred You”, and co-facilitators the “Creator Space” at Spectrum.
Liz Amaya-Fernandez, MPH
(They/Elle/She/Ella)
Public Health and Social Justice Educator/Doula/Que(e)rent
Liz is an intuitive card reader and full spectrum doula. They are also an educator/trainer on social justice issues, sexuality, global health, and wellness. They currently work as a Senior Public Health Diversity Advisor at the Larson Institute for Impact and Equity at the University of Nevada Reno, School of Public Health. Liz has been working as an adjunct professor at various colleges and universities in New Jersey since 2006. Their courses include gender and sexuality studies, human rights, global health, and other public health issues.
They live in New Jersey with their family, where they write poetry, support their teenagers’ dreams, and engage friends in discussions on intuition and love.
Dan H.
(He/Him)
Office Administrator
Dan ensures the smooth and efficient operation of our practice. His exceptional organizational skills and warm, welcoming demeanor, make him an invaluable asset to our team. He is also in charge of the affirmation and feedback boxes at the front desk, so if there is anything you might need, do not hesitate to stop by.