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Kristen Petullo, MSW, LCSW Named NFSB Assistant Director of Outpatient Services
Kristen Petullo, MSW, LCSW was recently named Assistant Director of Outpatient Services at Nutley Family Service Bureau (NFSB). In her new role, she is assisting Director of Outpatient Services Maria Hoppas, LCSW in guiding the ongoing expansion of the mental health program. Kristen continues to see clients while supervising and training clinicians as well. She supports new clinicians with a provisional license on their journey to becoming independently licensed, as well as master’s level interns. Kristen also helps the NFSB clinical team seek out continuing education opportunities.
Now offering mental health services at two facilities – 169 and 155 Chestnut Street – NFSB provided 10,011 mental health counseling sessions in 2024 and expects to exceed that number in 2025.
“It has been exciting to witness the growth of NFSB since I arrived almost four years ago,” Kristen said. “We continue to expand our capacity to provide professional, affordable care to more people in the community. I’m grateful to contribute to the development of the mental health program, support Maria, and be a resource for our amazing clinical team.”
Kristen joined NFSB as a clinical supervisor in 2021 with extensive experience in mental health issues affecting women, such as eating disorders, maternal mental health, and fertility. Before arriving at NFSB, she served as a clinician, clinical supervisor and program coordinator in outpatient mental health facilities, and school social worker and clinical case management services provider for at-risk youth and families. Kristen is currently in the process of completing a postgraduate certificate program in fertility counseling.
Fertility counseling addresses the emotional and psychological challenges individuals and couples face, including the stress of fertility treatments, potential pregnancy loss, navigating complex decisions about family building, and coping with the social and personal impacts of trying to conceive.
“The program will help me counsel people who are encountering challenges on their path to parenthood,” Kristen said. “Pursuing this certificate will demonstrate to prospective clients my commitment to providing high-quality counseling in this area of specialization. I’m excited to be able to provide support and guidance to people on their family-building journey.”
Kristen earned a Master of Social Work with concentration in children and families from Rutgers University School of Social Work, and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Montclair State University. She is also a Certified School Social Worker and has a National Association of Social Workers Certificate in Clinical Supervision.
Kristen is thoroughly enjoying her time at NFSB, which has been a homecoming of sorts.
“I’m very connected to the community because I grew up in Essex County,” Kristen said. “I love being at the point in my career where I can come back home and be a part of NFSB’s growth, help other clinicians grow, identify the needs of the community, and meet those needs every day. It’s very rewarding.”
