Meet South Collective Counseling’s versatile, collaborative, & highly skilled team of mental health counselors.
Our team 100% believes mental health matters just as much as physical health. We are dedicated to reducing stigma surrounding mental health. Our team provides a safe, therapeutic, judgment-free environment for clients in-person and/or online in tele-therapy sessions to get the help they need.
Melissa South, Owner, MA, LPC, ACS, NCC
Melissa is the Owner & Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) for South Collective Counseling. Melissa has over 20-years experience working with children, families, and couples. She is incredibly dedicated to the counseling field, and enjoys clinically supervising associate counselors to become effective, competent fully-licensed clinicians in the future.
Mia Arrington, MSW, LSW, Individual & Family Social Worker
Mia is a Licensed Social Worker in New Jersey and offers Individual and Family Therapy at South Collective Counseling. Mia is passionate about creating a non-threatening space to connect and help clients of all ages heal and grow.
Lorna Lopez, M.Ed., LAC, SAC, NCC, Individual & Family Counselor
Lorna Lopez is a bilingual, English & Spanish speaking, Licensed Associate Counselor in New Jersey at South Collective Counseling. Lorna is a deeply empathetic and passionate individual who has counseling experience with various developmental stages, from children to adults, and from various demographics including race, ethnicity, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, religion/spirituality, education, and socioeconomic status.
Virna Brandofino, LAC, Individual and Family Counselor
Virna Brandofino, MA, LAC, is a compassionate, empathic Individual and Family Therapist at South Collective Counseling in New Jersey. She has over 20 years experience working with families and individuals struggling with mental illness. Virna believes that we are all unique and possess skills and gifts we sometimes need to embrace, develop, and strengthen. Virna is bilingual and can offer services in Spanish.
Ibette Abril, LAC, NCC, Individual and Family Counselor
Ibette Abril is a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC), who specializes in working with adolescents, adults, and families who are feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, stress, and emotional challenges. She provides a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients can feel heard and understood. Ibette uses a trauma-informed, person-centered approach with CBT and Solution-Focused Therapy.
Jewel Chestnut, LSW, Individual and Family Social Worker
Jewel Chestnut is a Licensed Social Worker in the states of New Jersey and Connecticut with over 10 years of experience in the field of social work. Throughout her career, she has worked in a variety of capacities, supporting children, adolescents, adults, and families across clinical, educational, and community-based settings. Her diverse experience allows her to approach each client with both clinical expertise and practical understanding.
