DR. JESSICA CASCALHEIRA, PSYD
CO-OWNER
Jessica M. Cascalheira, PsyD is co/owner of Anchored Psychological Services, LLC. She currently works full time as a Staff Clinical Psychologist for the Department of Health within a civil commitment facility. Her work consists of providing mental health treatment within a forensic setting. Dr. Cascalheira focuses on providing individual and group therapy to adult male sexual offenders who continue to meet criteria for the New Jersey Sexually Violent Predator Act. Dr. Cascalheira uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing (MI) with an emphasis on relapse prevention and good lives model.
Although she is not taking on any clients currently, Dr. Cascalheira runs Anchored Psychological Services, LLC behind the scenes. She manages all social media accounts, publishes blog posts, and screens prospective clients. She is who you speak to when you call for your free 15-minute consultation.
Dr. Cascalheira completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the College of Saint Elizabeth. During her undergraduate training, she focused her education on support and advocacy regarding sexual assault and abuse victims. In 2009, Dr. Cascalheira became a certified Morris County Sexual Assault Victim Advocate and joined the Morris County Sexual Assault Response Team. Subsequently, in 2012, Dr. Cascalheira was inducted into PSI CHI, The International Honor Society in Psychology. As an undergraduate, she was the first student to complete an internship at a secured correctional civil commitment facility.
She went on to further her education earning her master’s degree in Forensic Psychology and Counseling and her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the College of Saint Elizabeth where she completed her dissertation on Self-Efficacy, Anxiety, Depression, Spiritual Well-Being: Variations among Attachment Styles and Alcohol Use. During her training, Dr. Cascalheira worked in a residential community-based organization serving adults with developmental disabilities, psychiatric hospital for children and adolescents, in-home and community environment crisis intervention, school-based youth services program, residential reintegration center, intensive outpatient substance abuse program, and secured correctional civil commitment facilities. Dr. Cascalheira focused on providing individual therapy, couples therapy, and co-facilitated many psychoeducational groups.
Dr. Cascalheira completed her pre-doctoral internship at Edison Court, Inc, a non-profit, community-based agency that offers continuum of care within a residential and outpatient setting. Dr. Cascalheira focused on providing individual and group psychotherapy as well as general and forensic psychological screening and evaluation to adult male offenders, juvenile delinquents, and parents involved with Children and Youth Services. She is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), New Jersey Psychological Association (NJPA), Morris County Psychological Association (MCPA), and Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA). Dr. Cascalheira continues her training and education at these organizations’ conferences when available.
When she is not working, you can find Dr. Cascalheira spending time with her family and friends. Dr. Cascalheira also teaches undergraduate and graduate psychology courses at her Alma mater. She enjoys reading, cooking, traveling and is a true crime enthusiast.