About Us
Mindful Medicine was founded by Dr. Michael Barness, MD, to provide a more personal and multidisciplinary approach to mental health care. Understanding that medication is just one piece in the puzzle, Mindful Medicine emphasizes the role of therapy, mindfulness and lifestyle considerations to empower individuals to improve their wellbeing and create permanent change.
In order to focus on quality over quantity, Mindful Medicine does not participate in any health insurance plans. By freeing ourselves from the insurance-based model, we can dedicate more time to our patients and recommend the most effective courses of treatment without outside interference. As a result, Mindful Medicine is able to fulfill our commitment to providing greater accessibility and more compassionate, personalized care tailored to the unique needs of each patient.
Meet the Team
Dr. Michael Barness, MD
Dr. Michael Barness is a board-certified psychiatrist. He has a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Pennsylvania State University and a Doctor of Medicine from Medical University of the Americas. Dr. Barness completed his psychiatry residency with the University of Nevada School of Medicine.
Dr. Barness previously worked as the Medical Director at GenPsych Livingston where he treated adolescents and adults. He was also the Vice Chairman of behavioral health within the Atlantic Health System as well as Medical Director for inpatient psychiatric services with RWJ Barnabas.
Dr. Barness is also a husband and a father of two. He enjoys cooking, traveling, and has been an avid New York Jets fan since he was a child.
Samara Barness
Sam is the Director of Practice Operations at Mindful Medicine. She oversees the daily operations, plays a leadership role in the Mindful Medicine initiative approach, handles all marketing, events, and social media, and assists in the office and with phone coverage when needed.
Sam has over 15 years of event/operational experience. She has a bachelor’s degree in Business with a concentration in Marketing from Pace University. She enjoys spending time with her family, working out on her Peloton, and spending time at the beach.
Hana Dolan Haar, LAC
Hana is our in house Licensed Therapist specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She previously worked as Executive Assistant to our founder, Dr. Barness, as well as Office Manager.
Hana’s true passion is helpings patients overcome mental illness. She has dual Master’s degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Guidance Counseling from the College of St. Elizabeth. She earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Elementary Education and Psychology from Rider University.
Hana is an animal lover and enjoys listening to music on her free time. She also enjoys learning and expanding her knowledge in the field of psychology.
Shirley Messina, PMHFNP-BC, MSN, MA, RN, CSN
Shirley Messina is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certified in both New Jersey and Florida. Shirley obtained her first Masters in Psychological Services from Kean University, followed by her second Masters of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing from Monmouth University.
Currently, she is enrolled in the Doctorate Program at Monmouth University. Her expertise and experience have come from many different settings, including special education, school settings, detox facilities, child/adolescent inpatient/outpatient, as well as crisis intervention. Her experience and training include various mental health conditions such as Depression, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, Schizophrenia, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder.
Shirley has been employed in the Mental Health field for over 10 years. Providing psychological and medication evaluations, she focuses on building a therapeutic relationship with her clientele to promote healthy and effective care throughout their treatment while also navigating them through life challenges and stressors.
Dr. Christelle Cousseillent, DNP, APN, PMHNP-BC
Christelle Cousseillent is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certified in New Jersey who cares for individuals, couples and families. She completed her undergraduate studies at New Jersey City University and her Doctoral degree at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.
Her expertise and experience have come from many different settings, including psychiatric and medical emergency room services, crisis intervention, psychiatric inpatient/outpatient services across the lifespan, pediatric home healthcare, nursing home facilities, as well as child and adolescent intensive outpatient treatment. Dr. Cousseilllent takes a special interest in treating children and adolescents alongside their families. Her experience and training include various mental health conditions such as Depression, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, Schizophrenia, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder.
In addition to her work at Mindful Medicine, Dr. Cousseillent also treats children and adolescents at GenPsych Livingston enrolled in the partial care hospitalization and intensive outpatient treatment (PHP/IOP). Dr. Cousseillent has specialized in the mental health field for over 5 years and has been in the medical field for over 10 years. Dr. Cousseillent focuses on building a therapeutic relationship with her patients and family using evidence-based practice to provide patient-centered, population specific, and quality care.
Dr. Cousseillent enjoys going on tropical beach vacations and spending time with her friends and family. She is passionate about her work in mental health and brings much expertise and value to the Psych-Mental Health specialty.
Brooke Weiss, PA-C, MPAS
Brooke Weiss is a Board-Certified Physician Assistant in New Jersey and New York. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Syracuse University. She also received her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Touro College. Brooke holds an affiliation with Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
Brooke began her career in a surgical setting. There, she recognized her inherent skill in improving her patients’ mental health. She treats her patients comprehensively by utilizing mindful practices in conjunction with medication management. While providing psychiatric and behavioral direction, she establishes genuine and supportive relationships with her patients.
In Brooke’s free time she enjoys the outdoors, cooking, and yoga.
Arielle Coutinho, LCSW
Arielle Coutinho received a bachelor’s in psychology from Touro College and graduated with a Master’s degree in Social Work from New York University. Arielle is currently a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who specializes in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT).
She enjoys art and utilizes her creative background in her individual and group therapy sessions. In addition to her work at Mindful Medicine, Arielle Coutinho also treats adults at GenPsych in Brick, who are enrolled in the partial care hospitalization and intensive outpatient treatment (PHP/IOP).
Jacqueline Reed
Jacqueline (Jackie) is the Office Manager at Mindful Medicine. She also works as the Personal Assistant to our founder, Dr. Barness.
Jackie received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Salisbury University. Currently, she is enrolled in the Master of Social Work Program at Salisbury University. She is working towards becoming a licensed therapist.
In Jackie’s free time she enjoys cooking, playing volleyball and spending time with family.
Michaela McElroy
Michaela is the office administrator and personal assistant to the nurse practitioners and therapists.
Michaela has had a passion for helping others her entire life. She got her Bachelor of Arts in Individualized Studies at Fairleigh Dickinson University where she majored in Hospitality management which furthered her desire to helping others.
When she is not playing with her dog or watching a movie with her husband, she also enjoys playing sports, especially basketball and softball.
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Business Hours
Monday – Wednesday:
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday & Friday:
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
