January 27th, 2023
Happy 40th Birthday to IPG!
Founded in 1983, IPG turns 40 this year. Four decades of commitment to mental health, to the residents of New Jersey, to the LGBTQ+ community, to personal growth. Read more about our history here.
November 14th, 2022
All three of our offices are now fully reopened for in-person therapy! While we still offer online therapy, we are now conducting regular, in-person psychotherapy sessions as well in our Jersey City, Highland Park, and Freehold offices.
New clients can call us at (732)246-8439, or email us via our Contact Us page. Existing clients should ask their therapist about their in-person availability.
October 21st, 2022
IPG is now offering Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), in partnership with the medical team at Journey Clinical. All sessions will be conducted on-site and in-person. For more information, call us at (732)246-8439, or email us via our Contact Us page.
June 18th, 2022
IPG on TV!
IPG was just featured on Lifetime TV show “The Balancing Act”, hosted by the one and only Montel Williams! The segment focuses on the destigmatization of mental health, the importance of reaching out for help when you need it, and IPG’s history of working with the LGBTQ+ community. If you missed us on TV, check back soon, we’ll have the video here on our website! For more about the show visit thebalancingact.com.
April 18th, 2022
Reopening Our Offices!
Today we begin the reopening of our offices for in-person therapy sessions, since closing at the beginning of the COVID crisis back in March 2020. In our “post-COVID” era IPG will be a hybrid practice, offering therapy sessions both online and in person. Current clients can ask their therapist if they are available for in-person sessions at this time, and new/potential clients can ask the office staff whether they currently have any in-person openings, by calling the main office at 800-379-9220.
June 10th, 2021
Happy Pride Month!
Our founder and former Clinical Director, Dr. Margie Nichols, is a pioneer in the field of queer-affirmative psychotherapy. After leaving IPG, she distilled forty years of experience into a book that was recently published, titled The Modern Clinician’s Guide to Working with LGBTQ+ Clients. It is a comprehensive handbook of information, personal experiences, techniques, and case examples that will help any therapist navigate the complexities of the 21st century sex, gender, and relationship diverse community. It has been hailed by colleagues and nominated for awards, and is destined to become a classic in the field.
Available here on Amazon, or visit Dr. Nichols’ website for more information.
January 4th, 2021
Happy New Year!
We’re excited to announce two online support groups starting up at IPG in 2021, run by IPG therapists. One is a group for People of Color ages 21 and up, called “Black, Brown, and In Between”. There will be a men’s group and a women’s group, and both groups will come together every third session. (Trans/GNC folks can choose whichever group they feel best matches their gender identity.) The support groups will run for 10 sessions to be held every other week beginning on Monday, January 25, 2021 at 7:30PM.
The second is a revival of our long-running Gender Spectrum group, for young adolescents to young adults who identify as transgender or gender non-conforming. There is also a group for their parents, which meets separately. These groups will meet once a month, beginning on Wednesday, January 20 for the first parents’ group and Thursday, January 21 for the first adolescent/young adult group.
Both groups will be held online and are completely free of charge. A brief intake assessment is required to verify you are appropriate for the particular group. For more information or to register please call our main office at 732-246-8439, or email us via our Contact Us form on our website.
October 1st, 2020
Happy Fall everyone! We are still conducting mostly online therapy sessions for the time being, until it is deemed safe to return to regular in-person therapy. But rest assured, if you begin with online therapy you will be able to switch to in-person therapy when we are able to reopen our offices.
March 13th, 2020
Coronavirus Update: Online Sessions Now Available
There have been no reported or suspected cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) among anyone at or affiliated with IPG. But due to increasing concern about the spread of the virus, we are offering the option of remote/online therapy sessions for anyone who is feeling sick, under quarantine, caring for a sick loved one, or just doesn’t feel comfortable coming in to the office during this period. Please just let your therapist know in advance and we can arrange for an online session, with video and audio on both sides, through our convenient, HIPAA-compliant, encrypted remote conferencing platform called Lifesize. There’s no download, installation, apps, account creation, or anything like that required on your end. Your therapist will just send you a link, you click on it, and you should be in touch within a matter of seconds!
January 5th, 2020
Looking back on the past year, we are proud to report that two members of IPG’s stellar staff have put their work in print:
(Trigger warning: rape, abuse, violence)
First, veteran IPG therapist Alison Grant, LCSW, was asked to write the introduction to a memoir about surviving childhood abuse and trauma. Alison’s introduction to A Girl Raised By Wolves, by Lockey Maisonneuve, “explains the mechanics of repressed memories in trauma”, which is a large focus of the book. Alison’s expertise really shines through here, and her words are illuminating enough to make the introduction a worthwhile read even independently from the memoir itself, which is by all accounts a moving and riveting work. See our most recent blog post for more info on the book in Alison’s own words, and you can pick up a copy at the author’s website.
Second, IPG’s Scott Taylor, LCSW, has had not one but two(!) professional publications in academic journals in the last year:
“G. H. Mead’s Philosophical Hermeneutics of the Present”, European Journal of Pragmatism and American Philosophy, Vol. 11 No. 2, 2019.
“The Structure of Psychic Revolutions: A Psychoanalytic Account of Kuhnian Science”, American Imago, Vol. 76 No. 3, 2019.
The latter of these papers also earned Scott the Silberger Prize in interdisciplinary work in psychoanalysis from the Boston Psychoanalytic Society & Institution, a prestigious recognition as well.
IPG continues to be blown away by the brilliance and accomplishments of its clinical staff. You make us proud!
December 31st, 2019
Happy New Year! Here’s wishing 2020 brings you nothing but joy and wellness!
June 13th, 2019
Congrats to us! Yesterday IPG was honored with the PROUD Empowerment Award, presented by the PROUD Awards Committee based out of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. The award was given in recognition of our decades of work with the transgender community, especially transgender youth. Another sign of the fact that IPG is the preeminent mental healthcare resource for transgender people in the New Jersey area.
December 12, 2018
Happy Holidays from IPG! Wishing you and your loved ones joy, compassion, and inner peace in the new year to come.
August 30, 2018
IPG is under new leadership! Our founder and original Executive Director, Dr. Margie Nichols, has sold IPG and (mostly) retired, as has our long-time Business Director, Nancy Musgrave. The ship is now being steered jointly by Susan Menahem, LCSW, who is a veteran IPG therapist (and one of our best!), and by Dr. Cory Nichols, PhD (the “other” Dr. Nichols!), who started off doing web and marketing work for IPG back in the late 90s, and who happens to be Margie and Nancy’s son. Susan has taken over as Clinical Director, and Cory as Business Director, after both trained for the positions under their previous counterparts for over a year prior to taking over. But in the day-to-day operations you won’t notice much difference — it’s still the same old IPG! And you’ll still see Margie’s face around from time to time, as she continues to see clients on a reduced basis. Here’s to many more years of IPG!
Jan 30, 2018
Dr. Margie Nichols, IPG’s founder and president, just published another article, this time on the topic of consensual non-monogamy. It appears in the current issue of Psychotherapy Networker, the most widely read professional journal for psychologists, social workers, and other psychotherapists. Read it here.
Jun 29, 2017
Dr. Margie Nichols, IPG’s Clinical Director, Susan Menahem, LCSW, and Vice President Nancy Musgrave attended the annual American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) conference in Las Vegas in June. As usual, the workshops were very informative with up-to-date research and the conference provided a great opportunity to network with peers. We look forward to this conference each year.
Feb 13, 2017
Dr. Margie Nichols, IPG’s Founder and Executive Director, spoke at the first conference of the U.S. chapter of WPATH, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. Dr. Nichols spoke on “Psychotherapeutic Dilemmas with Complex Clinical Cases”. The conference was held in Los Angeles, at the UCLA Luskin Conference Center, earlier this month.
Feb 10, 2017
Once again, Dr. Margie Nichols, founder and Executive Director of IPG, has been quoted in CNN’s Health column. Margie discusses BDSM and how the “Fifty Shades of Grey” series has brought increased visibility and acceptance of BDSM practices more into the mainstream. Read the article here.
Feb 6, 2017
IPG is extremely pleased to announce the appointment of Susan J. Menahem, LCSW, as Executive Clinical Director, effective January 1st. Susan is a long-time IPG therapist with extraordinary skills, including holding AASECT-certification as a sex therapist, supervisor and trainer. In addition to continuing to see her own clients, Susan will be responsible for all clinical supervision and activities at IPG, including EMDR and sex therapy training. Well-deserved Susan!
Oct 4, 2016
IPG is happy to announce a new group for transgender and non-binary young adults, ages 18 – 25. We currently run groups for children and adolescents and are responding to the requests to add this additional group. This new group will be held the 3rd Saturday of each month, from 1:00-2:15pm in our Highland Park office. If there’s enough interest on the part of parents/guardians, we’ll start a group for them as well, during the same time period. Call the office to register for either group!
Jun 18, 2016
Dr. Margie Nichols, IPG’s founder, Executive Director and leader extraordinaire, recently presented at two more conferences. In April, she gave the opening keynote address at the AltSex Conference in New York City and on June 17, she gave a full-day training on LGBTQ clinical issues for the NYC “Sex Therapy in the City” series.
Jun 15, 2016
In June, several IPG’ers attended the annual AASECT conference in Puerto Rico. AASECT (American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists) is the premier national certifying body for sex therapists. Several IPG therapists have AASECT certification while a few others are on their way. Gaining AASECT certification requires rigorous medical and psychological training as well as significant supervised clinical experience. This process takes years, so it was refreshing to attend workshops and meet other sex therapists and educators. A great opportunity to network and learn some of the latest research.
Mar 31, 2016
IPG’s founder, Dr. Margie Nichols, was a featured speaker at the annual Psychotherapy Networker conference in Washington, DC. Psychotherapy Networker is the most widely-read magazine for professional therapists, distributed worldwide. Margie spoke on issues of gender identity, transgender youth, and the LGBTQ community.
Mar 30, 2016
Psychotherapy Networker, the most widely-read periodical for professional therapists, has just published Dr. Nichols’ article “The Great Escape – Welcome to the World of Gender Fluidity” in its March-April 2016 issue. Margie, addressing clinicians, discusses the complexities of ever-evolving gender identities in the last decade or so.
Oct 6, 2015
IPG is very happy to announce a new playgroup for pre-pubertal transgender and gender non-conforming children. This new group for young children will begin Saturday, November 21 and be held every third Saturday of the month in our Highland Park office. There will also be a separate group held at the same time for their parents and guardians. Both groups will be led by IPG therapists. Interested parents should call our office at 800-379-9220.
Aug 19, 2015
IPG is so very, very sad to announce the passing of our beloved therapist, Neil Selden. Neil was a wonderful therapist for many years at IPG, a joy to have as a colleague, and a great friend to us all. We miss him so much.
Aug 19, 2015
IPG’s Founder, Margie Nichols, was a keynote speaker at the EFT Couples Therapy Conference in NYC in June. Margie presented to a large audience of psychotherapists who provide Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy in their own practices.
May 21, 2015
IPG therapist James Fedor publishes an article in the Journal of Gerontological Social Work. James’ article is about older adults‘ involvement in retirement communities.
Apr 6, 2015
Congratulations to IPG therapist Laura A. Jacobs, LCSW, who has just been selected to be a regular contributor for The Huffington Post! Laura’s blogs will be published every 2-3 weeks in the Gay Voices section. Read Laura’s first blog, now up.
Apr 2, 2015
IPG Founder and President Margie Nichols presented a workshop for sex therapists and researchers at the 2015 SSTAR (Society for Sex Therapists and Researchers) Conference in Boston. IPG therapist Laura Jacobs co-presented with Margie on Gender Affirmative Therapy. Several IPG therapists attended the conference as well.
Apr 2, 2015
Margie Nichols’ keynote speech at TEDx is online now! The video of Dr. Nichols’ presentation at TEDxJerseyCity, “Breaking the Gender Binary: Transgender Youth Explosion” can now be seen on the TEDx website – click here.
Mar 16, 2015
IPG’s Founder and Executive Director, Dr. Margie Nichols, presented a training for other clinicians on March 14 at the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy (ICP) in New York City. The prestigious ICP is one of the oldest post-graduate training institutions for psychologists and licensed social workers. Dr. Nichols’ symposium was entitled “Beyond Alphabet Soup, Toward a Theory of Sex and Gender Diversity”.
Dec 3, 2014
Read IPG Therapist Dr. Michael LaSala’s new blog on Psychology Today. Dr. LaSala writes about LGBT people going home for the holidays.
The Pride Center of New Jersey selects IPG Founder and Executive Director Margie Nichols to receive the LGBT Community Service Award. The award is presented for “significant and enduring contributions to the quality of life and pride of NJ’s LGBT Community”. The award will be presented to Dr. Nichols on January 11.
IPG is looking for a therapist to work two days a week in our Freehold office. MUST have experience working with young children. LSW’s and LAC’s welcome to apply. Please email your CV with cover letter to info@ipgcounseling.com.
The article, “Condoms and Connection: Parents, Gay and Bisexual Youth, and HIV Risk”, written by IPG therapist Michael LaSala, Ph.D., was recently published in the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, and U.S. News and World Report describes Dr. LaSala’s research here.
September 25, 2014
IPG therapist James Fedor, LCSW, recently authored a chapter in the book, “The Lives of LGBT Older Adults: Understanding Challenges and Resilience”, which deals with issues faced by older LGBT adults.
June 12, 2014 – June 14, 2014
Nine of IPG’s psychotherapists attended the Trans Health Conference, held annually in Philadelphia. IPG therapists were among the 300 healthcare providers of the 3,000 attendees at this important conference. We made sure to be there to get the latest information on affirmative transgender health care. IPG therapist Laura A. Jacobs, LCSW, was a presenter on the mental health track.
June 5, 2014
IPG therapist Laura A. Jacobs, LCSW, authored two chapters in the upcoming book “Trans Bodies, Trans Selves”, a wonderful resource for the LGBTQ community and the general public. Ms. Jacobs also edited the history chapter of the book and is working with the publishers to develop future educational, medical and legal programs for the community.
May 16, 2014
Psychologist, sex therapist and author Suzanne Iasenza, Phd, came to IPG to present her training for IPG’s psychotherapists: “What’s Queer About Sex? Models and Techniques for Couples”.
IPG Vice President Nancy Musgrave attended the Garden State Equality Roundtable for organizations working with LGBT Youth in New Jersey. The purpose of the Roundtable was to discuss issues affecting LGBTQI youth in NJ, and to work together on solutions. Participants will meet again in August.
April 10, 2014
IPG staff attended a training on the 5th edition of the therapist “Bible” – the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (the DSM). Trainings like this ensure we are up-to-date with changes in insurance reporting and practices in the field. The training was provided by IPG’s own Manda Gatto, LCSW.
March 31, 2014
Dr. Nichols again attended the annual SSTAR (Society for Sex Therapy and Research) conference, held in Pittsburgh this year. Dr. Nichols and other IPG staff regularly attend professional conferences to keep our sex therapy practice current and on the cutting edge. They exchange the latest research, exchange ideas and occasionally make presentations themselves.
January 16, 2014
In February, we’ll be moving our Highland Park office to 1119 Raritan Avenue, Highland Park. This new space will be larger, beautiful and more comfortable for clients and staff alike. Great thanks to our fabulous architect, Judi Monk of Shade Studio in Highland Park!
December 24, 2013
No surprise – the Toy Drive was a big hit with the kids! IPG staff kicked off our 1st Annual Toy “Drive and Delivery” on Dec. 20 when we delivered toys to the almost 50 children at a family shelter in Edison, NJ. Even Santa was there, and we’ll be honest – we were as excited as the kids! Pictures can be seen on IPG’s Facebook page.
September 17, 2013
Dr. Nichols’ important new article about LGBT youth suicide is published on goodtherapy.org
September 16, 2013
IPG begins therapy support groups for gender non-comforming youth at our Jersey City office. Separate groups will be held for their parents and guardians. All groups will be led by our licensed therapists.
July 1, 2013
In Dr. Nichols’ latest GoodTherapy blog, she reviews the eye-opening new book “What Do Women Want” by Dan Bergner. Read about Bergner’s conclusions from the perspective of a certified sex therapist by clicking here.
March 14, 2013
CNN Health News cites certified sex therapist Dr. Margie Nichols in “What to do after an affair”.
Jun 21, 2013
IPG Executive Director Dr. Margie Nichols is accepted as a regular blogger and named a “Topic Expert” for GoodTherapy.org. Her blog on LGBT issues will appear monthly; read the first one about conversion therapy for young people. She will also reply to Good Therapy readers’ questions as a Topic Expert.
Dr. Stephanie Sasso begins a support group for partners of transgender individuals.
April, 2013
IPG therapist Laura A. Jacobs, LCSW, is appointed Secretary of the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center Board of Directors.
March, 2013
IPG therapist Dr. Michael LaSala appears on BBC Radio about his book “Coming Out, Coming Home“.
February, 2013
Ian Kerner, best-selling author of ‘She Comes First,‘ asked Dr. Margie Nichols to join his site, GoodInBed.Com, as a blogger and sex expert.
January, 2013
Dr. Margie Nichols speaks with Lisa Ling on the Oprah Network. Watch Preview Here »
January, 2013
IPG therapist Mike Moran, joins the faculty of the Rutgers School of Social Work, to teach a course on LGBTQ Issues. In April 2013 IPG therapist Sherill Cantrell, a school psychologist as well as a clinician, was a guest lecturer in Mike’s class on the topic of dealing with adolescents.
Mike joins other IPG staff members who have academic positions at Rutgers. Dr. Michael LaSala is an Associate Professor and Director of the Rutgers Masters in Social Work program, as well as the author of the acclaimed book ‘Coming Out, Coming Home.’ Alison Grant teaches courses on Solution-Focused Therapy and Colleen Powers teaches Play Therapy with Children.
October, 2012
In a Daily Beast video, IPG founder and Executive Director Dr. Margaret Nichols discusses the legality and therapeutic value of using sex surrogates with patients: https://www.thedailybeast.com/videos/2012/10/10/margie-nichols-sex-surrogacy-is-not-illegal.html
June, 2012
IPG started ‘Gender Spectrum’ groups, therapy and support groups for gender nonconforming and transgender young people and their parents. The groups are enormously successful and have inspired attempts to start similar groups through our Jersey City office. Manda Gatto, Evangeline Croix, Stephanie Sasso and Mina Vargas run the groups in Highland Park and soon will be teaching Jersey City group facilitators what they’ve learned.
TGNC youth (trans and gender non-conforming) are ‘coming out’ like never before, and in our attempts to help this population we also put up a ‘Transgender Youth‘ page on our website and include a comprehensive ‘Transgender Resource Guide’ on the site as well.