Nurture your mind, body
& spirit.

Melanie is the owner of the Center for Mind Body Balance, Body Positive Works, and Nature Together. Her psychotherapy practice is dedicated to working with adolescents, adults, and families who are dealing with substance addiction, eating disorders, negative body image, phase of life transitions, anxiety, depression, and grief and loss.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC), with more than 33 years of direct practice experience, Melanie has worked with clients in a variety of settings: hospital, crisis center, private non-profit agency, and private practice. These experiences have given her a broad perspective and deepened her understanding of the challenges clients face when they are seeking specialized services from multiple resources.

Body Positive Works was born of the realization that having a variety of services under one roof — and providing a strong sense of community — would support clients in achieving long-term growth and greater overall health. She is proud to have created a unique community resource that offers integrative programs and services for healing the body, mind, and spirit.

In conjunction with the Bergen County NJ Department of Health Services, she helped spearhead the launch of the first Task Force for Eating Disorders in the county. She has completed an extensive study of Compassionate Inquiry with Dr. Gabor Maté, is a Grief Specialist under the direct education of David Kessler, has training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, and has completed: a 60-hour Meditation Teacher Training, Yin Yoga Training, Neurosculpting® Level 1 Training, Functional Anatomy Teacher Training, and a 300-hour Yoga Alliance Teaching Training program. Melanie is licensed as a Social Worker in New Jersey and New York and is licensed as a Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor in New Jersey.

Wendy Coffey is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Jersey, bringing over 30 years of experience to her practice. She is deeply committed to creating a space where clients can authentically express themselves and find the support they need to navigate life's challenges.

Wendy believes in a holistic approach to healing that incorporates the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and environment. Her work with adults, adolescents, children, and couples utilizes a range of therapies, including CBT, Family Therapy, and Humanistic Therapy, tailoring each session to individual needs.

Wendy is also passionate about Equine Therapy, recognizing the transformative power of working with horses to facilitate emotional breakthroughs and growth.

Julia Tsakalis, LCSW, is a dedicated and empathetic Licensed Clinical Social Worker rooted in Bergen County, New Jersey, where she has lived her entire life. She earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) from New York University and her Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Boston University. She has been in clinical practice since 2012.

Julia's warm and supportive approach to therapy is enriched by her extensive training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy — often referred to as Parts Work — and Brainspotting. Her practice is deeply rooted in trauma-informed care, providing a gentle and validating environment for clients to explore their feelings.

Julia strives to create a safe, nurturing space where clients can be their true selves and feel truly heard. Her goal is to help individuals embrace all parts of themselves, including those they may find difficult, and to build a fulfilling life based on their experiences and growth. She combines talk therapy with the depth work of IFS and Brainspotting, tailoring her approach to each person's needs and comfort level.

With a background in medical healthcare, community mental health, public schools, higher education, and private practice, Julia has valuable experience working with neurodivergent individuals of all ages and the LGBTQIA2S+ community. She is licensed in New Jersey, New York, District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, a registered telehealth provider for South Carolina, and a Certified Clinical Supervisor in the state of New Jersey.

Sarah is a certified Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT or "Tapping") practitioner. She loves helping people move from feeling stuck and overwhelmed to a place of ease and confidence.

Sarah has supported clients through devastating grief and loss as well as traumatic events and childhood traumas. A former actor, she also specializes in performance anxiety and freeing clients from the nerves and stress which gets in their way.

Additionally, in her work with phobias, Sarah has empowered clients to overcome paralyzing fear of driving, spiders, and even has helped horse riders get back in the saddle after traumatic falls.

Known for her holistic and heart-centered approach, Sarah will equip you with tools that cultivate peace, trust, and clarity by releasing the root causes of anxious thinking and limiting beliefs.

Over the past twenty years, as both a student and teacher of Yoga, Amanda has come to understand that the physical body is always telling the story of how our emotional bodies are feeling.

Approaching yoga as a somatic practice allows us to explore these feelings in a safe and supportive way, identifying where tension is stored in the body, and intentionally building practices that restore balance and ease of being. Amanda emphasizes adaptability, accessibility, and a holistic approach.

Amanda's teaching philosophy is that yoga is not about an end goal, but rather a continual practice of the evolution and revelation of self.

Amanda is an ERYT-500 (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher). She has also trained and specializes in Grief Yoga, Yoga for Addiction and Recovery, Yoga for Depression and Anxiety, Yin Yoga, Yoga Nidra, accessible meditation, and Somatic Therapy.

Sydney is a breathwork guide, 500-hour yoga instructor, and perpetual student who purposefully explores the interplay between mind, body, and spirit.

She continually studies the scientific undercurrent of spirituality, how our minds and behaviors are shaped by both awareness and experience, and the ways in which holistic practices can support and enhance emotional, energetic, physical, and psychological well-being.

Sydney feels privileged to be able to hold space for others to become embodied, connect back to their true nature, nurture their nervous systems, and cultivate individual and collective healing. As a breathwork facilitator and yoga teacher, she creates a container to tune back into authenticity, childlike innocence, curiosity, intuitive wisdom, and Self.

She received her Bachelor's Degree from Franklin & Marshall College, PA and earned her Master of Arts degree in Psychology and Education with a concentration in Spirituality and Mind-Body Practice at Columbia University, NYC.

Joy Mino is a highly experienced and passionate Stott Pilates® instructor, bringing over 20 years of expertise to Body Positive Works. She is a fully certified instructor who trained at Pilates on Fifth in NYC.

Joy's background extends beyond Pilates to encompass various movement modalities. She is also certified in Group Fitness, Total Barre, and TRX Suspension Training.

Joy has dedicated herself to continual learning to better meet the needs of her clients, including those seeking specialized support. To gain a deeper understanding of working with aging populations and those with bone health concerns, she completed the "Understanding and Working with Osteoporosis" training with Dr. Meredith Stephens of Anatomy Trains.

Mark Van Buren is a Buddhist author, meditation instructor, and mindful living trainer with over 15 years of experience in the field. As North New Jersey's go-to guide for meditation and mindfulness-based training, he is dedicated to helping individuals achieve healing, well-being, and inner peace through the transformative power of mindfulness and meditation.

Mark's approach to meditation and mindfulness training is based on the principles of mindfulness, compassion, and self-awareness. He believes that everyone has the potential to live a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life, and is committed to providing the tools and practices necessary to help you achieve your wellness goals.

Whether you're looking for a beginner's meditation class, a more advanced mindfulness training program, or one-on-one sessions to deepen your practice, Mark is here to support you every step of the way. With his expert guidance and support, you can reduce stress, manage anxiety, improve your sleep, and cultivate a sense of inner peace.

Mark offers a range of services designed to help you achieve your wellness goals, including meditation and mindfulness training programs, one-on-one sessions, and extended meditation retreats.

"I look forward to providing our community with the tools necessary to access the healing powers of nature and empower people to enhance their mental and physical wellness."

Gina is passionate about helping people reconnect with the healing power of nature. Her background in special education and early childhood development informs her inclusive approach, ensuring that our Forest Bathing experiences are welcoming and supportive for everyone.

Eileen's practice is dedicated to bringing balance and healing to the mind, body, and spirit through Reiki, Yoga, Meditation, and other healing and self-exploration processes. She is a Certified Life & Grief Coach, Usui Reiki Master Teacher, and Registered Yoga & Meditation teacher, with additional training in Kundalini Yoga through a KRI Certification Program.

Tailoring her practice to the needs of each client, Eileen combines various therapeutic modalities with compassion, support, and her personal and professional experience to guide others in discovering their own path to inner peace, hope, and healing. She also offers Reiki Training to those interested in empowering themselves through self-healing.

Eileen is a member of The Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology, Yoga Alliance, and International Kundalini Yoga Teachers Association.

Alison brings a unique blend of medical expertise and holistic training to her sound healing practice. As a registered nurse, certified yoga instructor, and Reiki Master, she understands both conventional and complementary approaches to wellness.

Her training from the Atma Buti School of Sound and Vibration, combined with her background in music education, creates a deeply informed approach to sound therapy.

Alison's experience as an End of Life Doula has taught her the profound impact that sound, presence, and intentional care can have during life's most vulnerable moments. She empowers clients with practical techniques they can incorporate between sessions, ensuring your healing journey continues beyond the studio walls.

Sheryl has a 500 Master's Certification in Ayurveda, with a focus on digestion and nutrition. She has a passion for healthy eating and hosts retreats and cooking classes that focus on food as medicine.

Born in Portland, OR, Sheryl lived on a street named Why Worry Lane. Certain she would be a teacher from a young age, she went on to found Naturally Yoga in Glen Rock, NJ, and later opened the Nectar Café to help others eat delicious food that is healing for the body.

In addition to her work as an Ayurveda practitioner, Sheryl is a teacher of Kundalini Yoga, a Reiki Master, an all-faith minister, and a lifelong advocate for children's health and animal rights.

Sheryl offers Ayurvedic plans and suggestions so that you can return to who you truly are. She guides you to see why you may continue to come back to old patterns and helps you to nurture new ones that serve you.

Jessica is a registered dietitian, health coach, and author dedicated to helping women simplify wellness and build sustainable habits. With a focus on nutrition, lifestyle, and mental health, she supports women through key life transitions, including fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, menopause, and breast cancer survivorship.

Through her writing, speaking, and consulting, Jessica empowers individuals and organizations to make healthy living approachable. She is the author of The Little Book of Game-Changers and The Farewell Tour and hosts the Drama-Free Healthy Living podcast. A frequent media contributor, she has been featured in Forbes, SHAPE, and mindbodygreen and has over 15 years of public speaking experience. She is also a certified Pilates instructor and Reiki practitioner, blending movement and mindfulness into her holistic approach to health.

She has a Master of Science from New York University and did her dietetic internship at New York Presbyterian Hospital. She has worked in a variety of practice settings, including inpatient, outpatient, corporate wellness, telehealth, and private practice.

Erica Ban, MS, RD is an experienced Registered Dietitian with 20+ years of experience, specializing in the counseling of eating disorders and family nutrition.

Through highly individualized treatment, Erica helps clients develop a healthy relationship with food and their body. Founded on a non-diet approach, her work incorporates mindful/intuitive eating while also using meal plans when desired and/or necessary.

She works with a team approach to treatment and collaborates regularly with therapists, psychiatrists, and physicians to offer the most comprehensive care.

Erica earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition at Cornell University. In 1997, she interned at The Bronx VA Medical Center, while also completing her Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition from New York University. Before focusing solely on her private practice, Erica was the Director of Nutrition at the Renfrew Center of New York and has also worked with the Koch Center.

Freia specializes in reimagining ancient feminine rituals for modern times. She is dedicated to sharing and reclaiming the forgotten and suppressed stories of women. Her original work has been presented and published in S/HE: An International Goddess Studies Journal, Feminism and Religion, and the American Academy of Religion. Her creative imaginings of these rituals have been featured by Enchanted Living Magazine, Vogue Italia, Hyperallergic, and the Norwegian American.

She brings this experience and knowledge into women's spaces by focusing on embodiment, empowerment, and transformation for women. Her knowledge of and passion for ancient rituals and divine feminine principles has guided her work as a spiritual coach, guide, and facilitator for women's rites.

Freia is passionate about guiding women on their process of becoming and is thrilled to guide the women who sign up for Lumina programs.