Our Therapists

With three offices throughout New Jersey, IPG employs 23 experienced and licensed therapists, including AASECT-certified Sex Therapists. This large variety of professionals enables IPG to match your unique needs with a therapist whose specialty can help you the most. We are very experienced in relationship counseling, family therapy, and working with children, from the very young through adolescence. We’re also internationally known for our work with the LGBTQ community, and have particular expertise working with transgender and gender non-conforming children and youth.

We have assembled a diverse staff, trained in a variety of treatment techniques. IPG therapists are trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Imago relationship counseling, Gottman couples counseling, objects relations theory, mindfulness meditation, family systems theory, Gestalt therapy, and psychodrama. Several of us are AASECT-certified sex therapists. Many of our therapists are trained in EMDR and we have several trained in play therapy for the younger children. Others have specialized training and experience with young children, adolescents, and young adults. In recent years we have also created an eating disorder wing within the practice, training and supervising several of our therapists to treat dozens of clients with eating disorders.

All of our therapists participate in group and individual supervision as part of their work at IPG, and all take part in bi-monthly in-service professional trainings given at the IPG offices. In this way we keep current, not only in the techniques listed above, but in the ethical requirements of our profession, applications of neuroscience to psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, and other areas of knowledge that have a crucial impact on psychotherapy.

Our Director

The IPG ship is steered by Susan Menahem, LCSW.

Susan is the owner and Executive Clinical Director of IPG, and a long-time member of our team. She first joined IPG in 2001 as a therapist and has been an integral part of our growth and success ever since. Since assuming her current role in 2016, Susan has led the supervision and training of our clinical team, organized in-service trainings and in-house supervision sessions, and overseen the day-to-day operations of our clinical staff.

Alongside her leadership duties, Susan continues to see clients and maintains a full caseload at both our Freehold and Highland Park offices.

Susan has been officially in charge of IPG since Dr. Margaret Nichols retired and sold the practice in August of 2018.

IPG Therapists

Our Business Staff

At IPG, our outstanding business staff plays a vital role in ensuring that new clients are swiftly connected with the right therapists and scheduled for appointments without delay. Our advanced IT infrastructure enables the secure, efficient, and personalized management of financial and insurance matters—allowing clients to focus fully on their care with peace of mind.

Behind the scenes, our dedicated office team handles everything from customer service and client accounts to the coordination of daily operations across all IPG locations. This seamless support ensures the smooth functioning of every aspect of our practice.

These critical functions are overseen by our Operations Manager Artie Manilio, with strong support from Senior Office Administrator Robert Uibelhoer.

Our Founder

Margaret Nichols, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist and AASECT-certified sex therapist, is the Founder and former Clinical and Executive Director of the Institute for Personal Growth. She oversaw clinical supervision and training of all IPG therapists from our inception in 1983 until 2016.

She also maintains a small practice, publishes regularly, and delivers lectures around the country. In addition to Dr. Nichols’ publications, many members of our therapy staff are well-known for their published writings in areas that include domestic violence, relationships, LGBTQ issues, kink, and polyamory.