Allison Devlin, LCSW, CASAC is the Clinical Director of Serenium, leading a team of 100+ professionals. With an MSW from NYU and over 20 years of experience across emergency rooms and crisis units, she specializes in evidence-based recovery and motivational interviewing. Allison carries on a family legacy of establishing pioneering Therapeutic Communities for addiction across North America.
Allison provides clinical insights on overcoming “phubbing” and digital distractions to help parents foster deeper, technology-free connections and strengthen emotional bonds with their children in a hyper-connected world. – NJ Family
Representing Serenium, Allison outlines the launch of specialized digital detox programs designed to combat technology fatigue and improve mental health outcomes for professionals and families across New Jersey. – NJBIZ
How to Feel Safe After a Break-In: 7 Science-Based Steps A break-in can change how a home feels. Familiar rooms may seem different, and some people notice worry, trouble sleeping, or a strong sense of being on alert. These reactions have been studied, and the research points to practical steps. A 2023 systematic review of…
Why Do I Have Anxiety About Taking Medication? If the thought of swallowing a pill makes your heart race a little, you are far from alone. Many people feel a quiet dread when a prescription is placed in their hands, whether it is a simple antibiotic or something more significant, like medication for anxiety. That…
How to Support a Friend Who Lost a Child: 7 Research-Backed Ways When a friend’s child dies, many people want to help and wonder where to begin. Research with bereaved parents offers clear answers. Parents have described what felt supportive, and their answers point to a short list of simple actions: reaching out first, saying…
Anxiety After Moving: Why It Happens and How to Feel at Home Again Moving is supposed to be exciting. You’ve packed the boxes, signed the papers, and stepped into a new chapter. But somewhere between the unpacking and the first quiet evening in an unfamiliar space, something unexpected settles in: a low hum of anxiety…
Different Types of Grieving: Understanding the Many Faces of Loss Grief is one of the most human experiences there is, yet it can feel incredibly isolating, as though no one else could possibly understand what you are going through. That is partly because grief does not follow a single script. It shows up differently from…
Four Types of Abuse in Relationships and the Early Signs You Should Know Abuse in relationships rarely announces itself loudly. It does not typically begin with physical violence or dramatic confrontations. More often, it starts quietly, in small moments that are easy to explain away or dismiss. A comment here, a restriction there, and before…
Why Can’t I Make Decisions on My Own? Making decisions is something the human brain does constantly. Research estimates the average adult faces around 35,000 choices every single day, from small ones like what to eat to bigger ones that shape life directions. For most of those choices, the process is quick and automatic. But…
How to Let Go of a Family House: What Psychology and Research Actually Say Letting go of a family house involves more than paperwork, removalists, and a change of address. For many people, it brings feelings that are difficult to name and harder to explain to those around them. Environmental psychology has documented this for…
Behavioral Therapy for Stool Withholding in Children What Is Stool Withholding in Children? If you have ever watched your child cross their legs, stiffen their body, or squeeze their bottom muscles when the urge to go hits, you are not alone. Stool withholding happens when a child uses their bottom muscles to resist the urge…
Can’t Do Anything Before an Appointment? Here’s What’s Actually Happening in Your Brain You have an appointment at 2:00 PM. It’s 9:00 AM. You have five perfectly good hours ahead of you. And yet… you’re doing nothing. You’re not relaxing, you’re not working, you’re not even procrastinating properly. You’re just stuck, watching the clock, scrolling…
