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Meet the Clinicians: Angela Vivar, MSW, LSW
Nutley Family Service Bureau (NFSB) is excited to welcome Angela Vivar, MSW, LSW to our clinical team. A bilingual counselor who is fluent in Spanish, Angela specializes in grief counseling, as well as trauma-informed care for people who have experienced domestic violence and other forms of trauma.
“Many people only think of grief when someone dies, but major life changes are often accompanied by grief,” Angela said. “Divorce, a serious medical diagnosis, and job loss are examples of transitions that can lead to feelings of grief. I enjoy being a resource who can listen to people tell their stories and help them process those feelings.”
Angela saw the effects of a major transition as a child when her family came to America from Peru. Finding their place in this new world and assimilating into a new culture were very difficult and led to feelings of grief for her parents.
“It was quite a transition for my parents when they came here as immigrants in their late 30s,” Angela said. “In our culture as Latinos, we believed that what happens at home, stays at home. It was hard for them to ask for help. I felt the wave of emotions from that transition as a child, and we have a large, extended family who experienced the same thing.”
Angela earned her Master of Social Work and Certificate for Violence Against Women and Children from Rutgers University, and a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation and human resources with a minor in family studies and human behavior from Pennsylvania State University. Prior to joining NFSB, Angela worked in the nonprofit sector for 10 years. She started as an intern and eventually became social services program manager for an HIV/AIDS organization in Newark, providing non-medical case management services to ensure clients were adhering to their treatment and medication protocols. She also helped clients access various forms of assistance.
Angela then transitioned to a role with another nonprofit that focused on supporting clients who were dealing with grief, loss, and bereavement, starting as a program associate before being elevated to program manager. She worked with grieving families and provided education and training through schools, businesses, and community organizations.
More recently, Angela helped a friend develop and launch Querido Nosotros, a program that supports the Hispanic community in New Jersey. Clients share their stories, primarily about grief and loss, in an interview-style format and gain access to helpful information and resources.
“Everyone should be able to have a safe and brave space to talk about whatever they’re experiencing,” Angela said. “I came into this field wanting to make a difference by providing this kind of space for individuals and families. When I go home at the end of the day, I feel relieved that I was able to support someone. They might be dealing with the toughest moment of their life. At the very least, I made sure they were heard, and that’s very important to me.”
Angela is grateful to join the NFSB family and was drawn to the organization as a “one-stop shop” that could provide clients with a wide range of services in a way that is more convenient, simpler, and less stressful.
“People who come here can receive mental health counseling, food, and case management services, and there’s a psychiatrist on staff who can prescribe and manage medication,” Angela said. “That’s beneficial for people who struggle to coordinate appointments at different facilities and find transportation. As a clinician, I can help them with multiple challenges in one building and one visit. That’s very rewarding.”
If you or someone you know could benefit from talking to someone or is experiencing any mental health issues, please reach out to NFSB. Immediate appointments are available with bilingual clinicians, and we’ll always respect your privacy. Visit our website or call 973-667-1884 extension 1 to schedule an appointment.
