Pooja Papneja, MA, LAMFT, earned her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Syracuse University, along with a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Child Therapy. Pooja is under the supervision of Courtney Anderson-Harvey, LCSW.
Pooja has a particular passion for working with kids. She has supported children through challenges like ADHD, ODD, emotional regulation, trauma, behavioral difficulties, school-related behavior concerns, and the complicated feelings that can come with a parent's separation. She also works closely with parents, equipping them with practical parenting strategies and behavior modification techniques that foster consistency and understanding. She understands that children express themselves differently than adults—and she knows how to meet them exactly in that space.
In her work with children and teens, Pooja draws from play therapy, attachment-based, trauma-informed, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), alongside behavior modification strategies that help kids build lasting new patterns at home, at school, and in their relationships.
Before joining ITI-NJ, Pooja worked in a Partial Hospitalization Program supporting children ages 5–17 through some of their most critical moments, providing crisis stabilization, therapeutic interventions, and care coordination. She has also worked in outpatient settings across New Jersey and Syracuse, serving clients from all walks of life, backgrounds, and age groups. In addition to her clinical work, she volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in New Jersey — reflecting her deep commitment to child welfare beyond the therapy room.
Pooja listens for what's said and what isn't, takes the time to understand the full picture of someone's life, and creates a space where clients feel genuinely heard. She is under the supervision of Courtney Anderson-Harvey, LCSW.
Languages: English, Hindi, Gujarati
NJ State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners
Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
License #37FA00045400
