About the Founders

Bernice Garfield-Szita and Bob Szita are Co-Directors of Contemporary Counseling Center & ActionArtz Training Institute. They founded GIERS to assist those without insurance or means to obtain quality professional grief counseling at no cost or for a subsidized fee. GIERS was also created to help train or educate professionals, community members or caregivers who want additional experience in grief counseling or insight in interfacing with others who are dealing with loss.

Bernice Garfield-Szita, MS, LPC, TEP

Master of Science in Counseling
Photo by: Gellman Images
Licensed Professional Counselor New Jersey State Lic. # PC00936 (LPC)
Trainer, Educator, Practitioner of Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy (TEP)
Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC)
Fellow of ASGPP (American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama)
Past President of the New Jersey Chapter of ASGPP
Past Executive Council Member of ASGPP
Certified Recreation Administrator, N.J.
Certified Teacher of Fine Arts, N.Y. & N.J
Certified Student Personnel Services, N.J.
2004 “Circle of Excellence” Award – Greater Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce
Past Chairperson, Women in Business Committee (15 years), Greater Monmouth Chamber of Commerce
Past President of Center Players, Inc.
Past Chairperson, Diversity Committee Greater Monmouth Chamber of Commerce
Artistic Director of Center Players, Inc.
2013 recipient Athena Award
2014 recipient Collaborators Award
Approved provider of training credits for national psychodrama certification
Approved CEU provider for the National Board of Certified Counselors and the National Registry of Group Psychotherapists
Thirty-five years clinical counseling and private practice experience

Bob Szita, MS, LPC, TEP

Masters of Science in Counseling
Photo by: Gellman Images
Masters of Science in Marine Biology
Licensed Professional Counselor New Jersey State Lic. # PC00937 (LPC)
Trainer, Educator, Practitioner of Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy (TEP)
Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC)
Fellow of ASGPP (American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama)
Monmouth County SPCA Pet Loss Bereavement Consultant
Past Membership Chairperson of the New Jersey Chapter of ASGPP
Board Member of Center Players, Inc.
2014 recipiant Collaborators Award
Approved provider of training credits for national psychodrama certification
Thirty years clinical counseling experience