Who We Are
The Academy of Physical and Social development was founded in 1954 to help young students in Newton and throughout the surrounding area gain mastery, self-esteem and confidence through social, psychological and physical competence. Consistency, competency, caring and connection serve as the foundation of everything we do -- from social skills group programs and individual counseling to parent collaboration, school-based service and more.
Personalized
Each student is unique. We pair your child with the ideal services for their needs based on an initial interview with you both as well as information that you share in your ‘About My Child’ questionnaire and other forms. For our group programs, instead of organizing students by age, placement is dependent on physical skill, developmental level and cognitive abilities as well as social and emotional maturity.
Effective
We help children and adolescents overcome the various challenges that they face, hone new skills and sharpen existing strengths. Establishing self-confidence, improving communication, developing positive social skills and effectively assessing personal behavior are just a few of the benefits that we help students at The Academy realize. The techniques that your child learns at The Academy can be applied in school, social, family and professional settings as well as many other aspect of their lives.
Experienced
Our faculty at The Academy is comprised of elite professionals with extensive academic and professional experience. In addition to facilitating group programs during the school year and over the summer, we also offer individual counseling services. Our counselors specialize in autism spectrum, attention deficit, learning differences, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, emotional regulation, behavior management, self-esteem and more.
Versatile
Our services are so effective, public and private elementary, middle and high schools rely on us for staff education pertaining to the behavioral, social and emotional issues of their student body. This can include ongoing training, plan development and support for teachers as well as supervision of and coordination with special education staff. We also provide student and community-facing services such as counseling outlined by IEPs, discussions with parent groups and other roles typically filled by school adjustment counselors and social workers.
Our Team
The Academy of Physical & Social Development team is comprised of passionate professionals with diverse areas of specialization and years of experience. Learn more about our staff members and their unique qualifications by browsing their brief biographies below.
Ken Barringer, M.A.,LMHC
Phone: 617-969-2200 ext. 12 / Email: KBarringer@academynewton.com
Ken Barringer is the Director of the Academy. He has been with the Academy since 1981. Ken earned his degrees from Clark University and Lesley University. He is an adjunct faculty member at the Lesley University Division of Counseling and Psychology. Ken also is the Director of H.E.A.L.I.N.G. a grief and loss support program and hosts the podcast Grief in Brief.
He is a member of the American Counseling Association, Mass. Mental Health Counselors Association, Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development and The Association for Death Education and Counseling.
Jessica Capone, M.A., LMHC
Phone: 617-969-2200 ext. 15 / Email: JCapone@academynewton.com
Jessica Capone serves as Chief Operating Officer of The Academy, where she manages the day-to-day operations and clinical programming of the Academy Group Program. She also serves as Director of the Academy’s Summer Program. Jessica supervises the Academy’s clinical staff and graduate-level interns and works collaboratively on the ongoing development and implementation of the Academy’s therapeutic programming. In addition to her administrative responsibilities, Jessica maintains an active clinical practice, providing individual and group therapy, parent support and consultation, and behavioral consultation. Her clinical work focuses on supporting individuals with a range of social, emotional, and behavioral needs, including self-regulation, flexibility, anxiety, depression, interpersonal relationships, and building greater confidence and independence. Jessica also collaborates with public and private schools, providing consultation and support to students, families, and educational teams. Jessica earned both her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Boston College and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Massachusetts. She is a member of the Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association and the American Counseling Association.
S. Otto Johnson, M.Ed., CAGS
Phone: 617-969-2200 ext. 38 / Email: OJohnson@academynewton.com
Otto has his B.S. from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee in elementary education and his Masters and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study from UMass-Boston in school psychology. He has taught 2nd and 3rd grade for 13 years before shifting his careeer to school psychology. Otto is currently a school psychologist at the Walsh Middle School in Framingham and is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist.
Andrea Maxwell, M.A., LMHC
Phone: 617-969-2200 ext. 38 / Email: AMaxwell@academynewton.com
Andrea Maxwell received her M.S. in Counseling and School Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Boston. Before her time at the Academy Andrea taught theatre in elementary schools and worked as a preschool teacher in the Boston area. She has experience in Early Intervention which focuses on children birth-to-three years old. She studied as a graduate intern at the Academy in 2011-2012, and began work as a full time staff member in 2012. Andrea runs social skills groups, provides professional development trainings, and provides individual therapy services. Andrea is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.
Jessica Kruss, M.A., LMHC
Phone: 617-969-2200 ext. 22 / Email: JKruss@academynewton.com
Jessica Kruss is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who provides both individual and group therapy services at the Academy. She a received her Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine from Boston University's School of Medicine. Jessica has been a staff member here at the Academy since her graduate internship year in 2011-2012. In addition to her mental health training, Jessica also has taken course work in Sports Psychology and worked with Freshman Athletes at Boston University's Student Athlete Support Services.
Janae Sernoffsky, M.A.
Phone: 617-969-2200 ext. 50 / Email: JSernoffsky@AcademyNewton.com
Janae Sernoffsky graduated with her M.A in Mental Health Counseling from Boston College in 2015 where she completed her internship at the Academy of Physical and Social development. Prior, she received her M.S in Sport Psychology from Miami University and her B.S in Kinesiology and psychology from the University of New Hampshire. Janae currently works as a masters level clinician at one of JRI's residential programs where she provides trauma-informed individual and group counseling to adolescent females and their families. She has a range of experiences working with children and adolescents including assessment work at McLean's Anxiety Mastery Program.
Scott Anderson, M.A., LMHC
Phone: 617-969-2200 ext. 52 / Email: SAnderson@AcademyNewton.com
Scott began at The Academy of Physical & Social development as a graduate intern in the fall of 2016 and is excited to continue his work with children and families in the community. Prior to working at The Academy, Scott provided support to children and families in Cambridge at The Boys and Girls Club. While working within this setting, Scott was a program specialist, designing cooperative and educational games for children. As an undergraduate, Scott studied mental health counseling at Lesley University and interned for agencies such as Arlington Center for The Arts and All Care Hospice. Scott is now an adjustment counselor at O’Donnell Middle School in Stoughton.
Daniela Poulat, M.A., LMHC
Phone: 617-969-2200 ext. 24 / Email: DPoulat@Academynewton.com
Daniela received her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling: Child & Family Health and Wellness from Boston College. She received her B.A. in Applied Psychology & Human Development with a concentration in Special Education and Music from Boston College as well. Daniela began working at the Academy in the fall of 2021 as a graduate intern. She is excited to return as a staff member and be able to continue working with children and their families at the Academy. Daniela currently works as a clinician in a university setting.
Denise Goguen
Phone: 617-969-2200 ext. 32 / Email: info@academynewton.com
Denise Goguen has been the bookkeeper at the Academy since 1996. She carries an associates degree in accounting and has been a bookkeeper for 28 years. In addition to the Academy, Denise maintains positions with Running Brook Day Camp and the Windsor Press.
Kayla Pelletz, M. Ed.
Phone: 617-969-2200 ext. 13 / Email: KPelletz@academynewton.com
Kayla received her Masters in Counseling from Boston University with a focus in School Counseling. She received her B.S in Psychology and Youth and Social Innovation from the University of Virginia. Kayla currently works as a school counselor in Lawrence Public Schools. Kayla started at the Academy in the Fall of 2023 as a co-leader of groups. She is excited to continue to work with the children and families of the Academy!
Sophia Tirabassi, M.A.
Phone: 617-969-2200 ext. 11 / Email: STirabassi@academynewton.com
Sophia received her M.A. in Mental Health Counseling from Boston College. She received her B.S. in Psychology with a minor in education at Fairfield University. Sophia began at the Academy in the fall of 2023 as a graduate intern. Since fall of 2024 Sophia has been a full-time staff member here at the Academy. Her role as a staff member includes leading Academy groups, individual counseling, and providing training for graduate student interns. Sophia is currently completing her hours towards licensure and is a candidate for becoming a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Massachusetts.
Lila Sherman, Ed.M
Phone: 617-969-2200 ext. 25 / Email: LSherman@academynewton.com
Lila received her Ed.M. in Mental Health Counseling with a Child & Adolescent concentration from Boston University. She earned her B.S. in Psychology from Springfield College, with minors in Criminal Justice and Rehabilitation & Disability Studies. She completed her graduate internship at the Academy of Physical and Social Development and continued on as a staff member for the Academy’s Summer Extension Program. Lila values creating a warm, collaborative environment where children feel supported as they build confidence, strengthen relationships, and develop new skills. She is excited to continue working with children and their families at the Academy and is currently working toward the clinical hours required to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Massachusetts.
Aubrey Eberlein M.A.
Phone: 617-969-2200 ext. 23 / Email: AEberlein@academynewton.com
Aubrey received her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Child and Family Mental Health and Wellness from Boston College. She received her B.A. in Psychology and Criminology from the University of Denver. She began as a graduate intern at the Academy in the fall of 2025. Aubrey is currently working towards the necessary hours to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor as she returns to the Academy to continue working with children and their families as well as a full-time individual counseling setting.