Approach
As a licensed clinical psychologist, clinical neuropsychologist, and certified New Jersey school psychologist, Dr. McCarthy provides evidence-based neuropsychological and psychoeducational assessment and cognitive-behavioral therapy across the lifespan. Approachable, relatable, and with a sharp sense of humor, Dr. McCarthy quickly puts you at ease the moment you step into the office. As a adult and pediatric clinical neuropsychologist, clinical psychologist, and certified school psychologist, she is uniquely positioned to interface with her patients and families about a wide variety of diagnoses, needs, and life circumstances.
Dr.McCarthy’s patients appreciate her engaging, refreshing style, and no-nonsense but compassionate approach that meets people where they are and empowers them with knowledge and an actionable plan to move forward with. As someone with both ADHD (diagnosed quite late) and anxiety (obvious from the jump), she has an appreciation for the experience of her patients and families, and is sensitive to providing both knowledge and a safe, validating place to land, so to speak.
Specialties
Dr. McCarthy has extensive experience in both adult and child clinical neuropsychology and evidence-based clinical psychological assessment in school, medical, and private practice settings. She believes in conducting evaluations that not only focus on accurate diagnosis, but tells the story as to how a person’s brain works for them. This approach is at the heart of how Dr. McCarthy developed the asssessment program at Elements, and includes:
- describing a person’s cognitive, academic, and emotional patterns of strengths and clarifying where additional supports may be needed to thrive,
- understanding how divergencies can be best supported in different environments (e.g., school vs. home vs. work),
- providing succinct, targeted recommendations that can be readily implemented by the patient/family, school, employer, or other allied health professionals.
Dr. McCarthy specializes in assessment for neurodivergent populations, including ADHD, autism, giftedness/2e, and learning differences, and how these neurodivergences interact with and impact social, emotional, academic, and/or occupational functioning. Dr. McCarthy also conducts medically-driven assessments for conditions traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, and other neurodegenerative disorders including dementia and movement disorders. Dr. McCarthy also has an expertise in conducting assessments for forensic purposes, including high-stakes educational evaluations, as well as capacity and disability evaluations. Dr. McCarthy is uniquely qualified to conduct these evaluations for children, teens, and adults.
Dr. McCarthy is also experienced in the treatment of anxiety, depression, life transitions, and ADHD. In psychotherapy she uses evidence-based approaches, specifically Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions. Dr. McCarthy especially enjoys working with young adults navigating transitions through high school, college, and early career, and women navigating the challenges of career, parenting, and romantic relationships in their mid-20s through retirement and beyond. Dr. McCarthy also selectively works with individuals navigating divorce.
Most recently, Dr. McCarthy has been featured in a number of regional and national media outlets and podcasts for her wide range of expertise in neuropsychology, neurodivergence, divorce, and parenting. Dr. McCarthy has also given regional and national presentations to school, community, and medical professionals on various topics in clinical psychology, school psychology, neuropsychology and rehabilitative medicine.
Experience & Training
Dr. McCarthy completed her undergraduate training in Psychology and Sociology from Lehigh University and her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University. She received her Psy.D. from Kean University’s Combined and Integrated Psy.D. Program in Clinical and School Psychology. Dr. McCarthy completed her APA-accredited internship training in Adult and Pediatric Clinical Neuropsychology and Rehabilitation Psychology at Staten Island University Hospital/Northwell Health, and Adult Clinical Neuropsychology and Rehabilitation Psychology post-doctoral fellowship at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange and Saddle Brook, New Jersey. She is a licensed psychologist in New Jersey and holds PSYPACT Authorization to Practice Telepsychology in over 40 states in the US. She is also a certified school psychologist in New Jersey, with experience as a school psychology intern at Westside High School in Newark, New Jersey.
She also previously served as an Adjunct Professor at Kean University’s Combined and Integrated Psy.D. Program in Clinical and School Psychology, and is currently an Adjunct Professor at St. Elizabeth University’s Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology Program.
Dr. McCarthy has taught and applied both neuropsychological assessment and psychotherapy skills in a number of settings, including elementary through high school, inpatient and outpatient medical rehabilitation settings, and at an outpatient dementia specialty practice. The combination of her specialized training and experience in a number of settings makes her uniquely qualified to provide a wide range of specialty care to clients and families.
Awards and Community Involvement
Dr. McCarthy has been voted as one of New Jersey’s Favorite Kids’ Docs for 2025. Elements was also the recent recipient of the Healthcare Heroes Award by NJ Biz in the Mental Health Category.
Dr. McCarthy currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Children’s Aid and Family Services (CAFS), of which she has been a member since 2025. CAFS is a leading northern New Jersey nonprofit that supports vulnerable children and families by providing essential programs, from adoption and foster care to disability services and basic needs, to help build stronger futures.
Dr. McCarthy has historically spent time volunteering for Lehigh University, her alma mater. Dr. McCarthy served as the Secretary for the Young Alumni Council in 2005-2006, and she has been in charge of fundraising efforts for the Class of 2004 since graduation, as well as serving as a Class Officer. She was the recipient The Lehigh University Distinguished Alumni Award in 2014, which recognizes outstanding achievement among Lehigh alumni, honoring those who have succeeded in and impacted their respective industries and communities.
Dr. McCarthy currently spends time volunteering as the 3/4th grade Program Coordinator and Head Coach for Chatham Field Hockey Club, as well as a supporter of many of the sports, theater, and orchestra programs in Chatham.
Dr. McCarthy was born and raised in New Jersey, and has previously resided in Union and Bergen counties before settling in Chatham with her two young daughters (who would love to add a dog to the mix, but Dr. McCarthy correctly wonders, often out loud, who would take care of this pup).
In her spare time, Dr. McCarthy can be found at the gym, yoga, coaching, chauffeuring to all of the things for her daughters, escaping to the beach whenever possible, and spending time with friends and family. You can often hear her coming before you see her, either by way of providing color commentary or blasting 90s rap and EDM music. She is currently rounding out the suburban dream by learning to play mah-jongg.
Meet the Team
