Dr. Todd Koser PSY.D.

Psychologist | Mental Retardation & Developmental Disabilities

5/5(3)

1930 Marlton Pike E J-49 Suite J-49 Cherry Hill New Jersey, 08003 Show map

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5/5

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About

Dr. Todd Koser is a psychologist practicing in Cherry Hill, NJ. Dr. Koser specializes in the treatment of autism and related conditions, and helps people to cope with their mental illnesses. As a psychologist, Dr. Koser evaluates and treats patients through a variety of methods, most typically testing and talk therapy. Patients usually visit Dr. Koser because they are think they or their child might qualify for an autism diagnosis or are seeking help with academic problems. Dr. Koser also works with members of the transgender and LGBQ communities to help them manage stressors and work towards their goals.

Education and Training

Widener University Psy.D. 2013

Ursinus College B.A. Biology & English 1991

Institute For Graduate Clinical Psychology-Widener University Psy.D. 2013

Provider Details

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Dr. Todd Koser PSY.D.

Dr. Todd Koser PSY.D.'s Expert Contributions

My Answers

My child seems to be scared of going to school. How should I encourage him?
This answer if for information only and does not constitute treatment. If this is his first formal school experience, then his fear and difficulty separating from you might be expected. Given that you say "extreme fear" it seems like doing some investigating from a number of sources could be appropriate. Have you asked your son's teacher how he is coping after he is dropped off at school? Is he fine a couple minutes after he separates from you or the person dropping him off? Also, how does your child get to school in the morning? Is the bus ride stressing him out for any reason you can think of? Can you quickly as the bus driver at drop-off how he seems to do on the way there? If your son is the kind of kid who can usually talk about what he feels and what happens to him, you can try asking some open questions to him. Ask at a time when worries about school aren't so immediate. Asking "what's wrong" once the fear has set-in at the front door as the bus pulls up probably isn't the best time. At a calm part of the day, maybe in the evening on Friday or Saturday night, or in the car driving on a regular errand, you could say something like, "Hey, you get really worried/scared/crying when it is time to go to school." See what his response is to just that statement. Leave LOTS of time for him to answer. Count to 20 slowly in your head to give him time to think and respond. If that statement doesn't prompt any response, you can add something to indicate you wonder if he is OK or if something is hard for him about going to school like, "I'm starting to worry about you a little bit because it didn't used to be this way. IS everything OK at school and on the way there?" SLOWLY think 20...19...18... See what he has to say about getting there and being there and if he can report any worries or problems. The feedback from the teacher can also be very valuable. If the teacher reports he is fine within moments of the you leaving, then that is much less of a concern than if the teacher reports he is crying most of the morning and seems to have a much harder time than the other children. Ask if the teacher has any advice about how to help him get to school with less fear. Hopefully your son's school has a counselor. This person can be a good resource as well to see if his reactions seem out of scope to the situation. The school psychologist is also an excellent resource to consult if you are very concerned. The counselor and/or school psychologist might be able to recommend programs in the school to support him and actions to put in place at home/precare to make the transition easier. They might also recommend a child therapist if you want to follow-up with a professional mental health provider for any reason. READ MORE
Meltdowns Behaviour
Please keep in mind this reply is for informational purposes only and does not constitute treatment. I think your question maybe something like, "Are meltdowns still common for 5-year-olds, and why does he do it with me, but not at school?" Children this age still have tantrums at times. Running away from parents, especially out in open public spaces, can be common for some children during meltdowns. If tantrums tend to be related to you saying, "no," or limiting access to something, then running away may feel like getting away from the limit. Some children turn running away into a game that is fun for them, even if you are scared they may go somewhere unsafe. Your son may not be able to recognize the potential dangers of running away from you. Schools often provide more structure, which may help your son avoid tantrums. The things he is having meltdowns about at home may not be possible at school, so the topic doesn't come up. Also, young children in schools are often given very specific instructions about where and how to walk when moving outside the classroom. It sounds like your son is doing well in his classroom this year. If you are looking for ways to manage his running away, you might be able to get some pointers from his teacher about how she manages the class and him to avoid running away. For situations where you are worried about the severity or how long tantrums are lasting, talking to his teacher could again be a good place to start. The school counselor and school psychologist could also be people to talk to if you have concerns. Your pediatrician is another resource available to talk to if you get worried about the tantrums. READ MORE
Can I go to a psychiatrist instead of a psychologist?
Some psychiatrists provide therapy as well as prescribing medications. Other psychiatrists only do medication management and other medical procedures. When scheduling an appointment, you can be clear you are looking for a consultation about a certain issue and not currently seeking medication. Ask if the psychiatrist has other ways to help you manage that problem. If you are seeking therapy, then you should be sure the psychiatrist, other other mental health provider performs that service. Most providers are willing to have a brief phone conversation to discuss what you are seeking help with. That phone conversation would be a good opportunity to ask about therapy and what they provide and the costs. There are a number of professionals who provide talk therapy, including many psychologists. Except for a very few states, only psychiatrists and other medical doctors can prescribe medicine. If you are looking for a combined approach, therapy with medication, then a psychiatrist might be a good match for integrated treatment. If you only want to do talk therapy, you would have a much wider set of professionals available. The main distinction between psychologists and other talk therapy providers is the length and kind of training. Most licensed psychologists are required to have a doctoral degree which usually means at least 4-5 years of university training. Most other licensed professionals have a master's degree with about 2-3 years of graduate education, although some non-psychologist therapists also have a doctoral degree. Issues like cost, insurance coverage, whether they specialize in your particular concern, and distance from your home or work may be additional factors you may want to consider when selecting a therapist. READ MORE
Do psychologists ever have a "time frame" in mind?
Please keep in mind this answer is for information only and does not constitute treatment. Whether a psychologist has a "time frame" in mind for therapy likely depends on the type of issue/goal the client is hoping to address and the techniques that are being used to address the goal. Some techniques, such as specific cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) protocols have recommended time frames for the full protocol. The time frames are often given in number of sessions to complete the treatment plan. Other approaches, especially supportive and psychoanalytic/psychodynamic approaches, tend to not be focused on any specific time frame, but rather on general progress and how the client feels over time. If you are currently seeing a psychologist of therapy, this could be a good question to address to them. You might ask to discuss how you feel you are doing so far towards your goals, whether the therapy is based on a time-limited approach, and that the psychologists thought are about likely length of treatment. Also, sometimes a client seeks to address multiple issues at once, which could extend treatment, so chooses to continue to address additional concerns after the first issue is resolved. Lastly, some clients with chronic medical or mental health conditions continue in therapy for long periods of time as part of how the manage their chronic disease. READ MORE
Can my psychologist talk to anyone else about me?
Please keep in mind this reply is for information purposes only and does not constitute treatment. Times when your psychologist can share information about you without your prior consent are generally very limited. The specific limits for this are set by a combination of federal and state law, so where you are seeing your psychologist will set these limits. The psychologist you are currently seeing may have discussed what are often called the "limits of confidentiality" with you at the start of your treatment with them. Again, generally, most mental health providers cannot share your information with other outside parties without your prior consent, which is usually gotten in writing. If you are worried about your information being shared, you can always address this concern to your psychologist at the next session, or ask to review the confidentiality policies they use. READ MORE
Do therapists lead therapy sessions or do I?
This reply is for information only and does not constitute treatment. As you get in touch with therapists, this would be a good question to address to them as part of your selection process. Some therapists are very directive and others tend to let the client set the agenda and pace of the work. If you think you would prefer someone who has a plan for each session and ideas of that needs to be done to address your goals, you can ask that something your therapist is comfortable providing. Setting this expectation at the start of therapy and checking-in about it after a few sessions can help to make certain it happens. The check-in would also give you an opportunity to decide whether that approach continues to be comfortable after the start of therapy. READ MORE
How can I get over a fear of going to a psychologist?
Please keep in mind this reply is for information only and does not constitute treatment. It sound like you are in a chicken/egg situation where you don't know how to start. Maybe you can think a little bit about if you afraid of specific kinds of situations with the psychologist? Do you have a good friend you trust who has also seen a therapist? You might be able to ask them if they had any of these fears and how they overcame them to start therapy. Most mental health providers know it is tough for folks to trust a stranger with very personal information and work hard so that the folks coming to see them feel comfortable. Some clients choose to start off in therapy with a less intense issue and then add in other concerns as they trust their therapist more as time goes by. In some cases, just booking the first session and absolutely committing to going to it can show you that the real situation is not as bad as your fears. That is helpful for some people, they just jump in. This concern is something you could mention when scheduling the appointment so the psychologist knows you are feeling very nervous and can help you get more comfortable during the start-up. READ MORE
What is neuropsychology?
Please keep in mind this reply is for information only and does not constitute treatment. Neuropsychology is a sub-specialty of clinical psychologist focused on assessing and treating people with certain kinds of brain injuries and diseases. They have a lot of specialized training in testing, and in some cases, treatment of brain injury. Depending on your referral, the neuropsychologist may conduct testing to better understand your brain injury and make recommendations on how to treat and manage it better. Some neuropsychologists provide treatment customized for brain injury, often called cognitive rehabilitation, that would be specific to your injury and the effects of the injury. Basically, this person would likely either do testing to help describe what you need and how to make your situation better or starting doing treatment to address issues caused by your head injury. READ MORE
Dealing with pain anxiety depression
Dear Dealing with pain, anxiety, depression, Please remember I am a psychologist, so I can't address medical treatment matters. Also, this reply is for information only and does not constitute treatment. It sounds like moving to a new location has posed serious challenges to connecting with medical professionals and getting effective treatment for your fibromyalgia. Based on the title of your question, it seems that anxiety and depression are also part of the challenges you are trying to manage and treat. You may want to consider looking for a psychologist or other therapist that specializes in Health Psychology and therapy. These therapists often have specialized training in medical issues and the mental health concerns that tend to go along with them. These therapists may also be able to suggest medical doctors they are familiar with, who can provide integrated care for your medical conditions. Each state has a psychological professional association. The Florida state association's member search directory is found here: http://flapsych.site-ym.com/search/. Given that Florida is a very large and populous state, there may be local associations (central, south, north, panhandle, etc). Local associations also usually have directories of members and may include information on specialties (like health psychology). Have a look at the state directory for providers near you. Even if you don't want to see a therapist/psychologist, they may be able to recommend a medical doctor to meet your pain management needs. Welcome and good luck with your search for effective treatment, Todd Koser, Psy.D. NJ & PA Licensed Psychologist READ MORE
My son has Asperger's Syndrome. How is it treated?
Dear parent, Please keep in mind this reply is for information only and does not constitute treatment. Good treatment for issues related to a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome should be customized to your child's and family's needs and current concerns. Asperger's Syndrome is one of the labels usually used to describe children and adults with autism, who also have relatively good language abilities and about average IQ. Children with autism have treatment needs that vary a lot. Treatment for your son really should be customized to his presentation. Some approaches that are very common to use with children on the spectrum include structured social skills training through individual or group therapy, Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), supportive talk therapy to address possible kid-specific concerns like anxiety, depression, or bullying; and often parent training. Working to determine what sorts of supports your child needs in the school setting is often a major focus of both treatment at school and with outside professionals, if needed. While I've listed the most common approaches, a good treatment plan and/or Individual Education Plan (IEP at school) will consider what your son does well, where he struggles, what you his parents need to help him, and community supports available. The general techniques are usually from some common sources, but should absolutely be customized to his needs and your needs. Sincerely, Todd Koser, Psy.D. NJ & PA Licensed Psychologist READ MORE
My son watches the same movie over and over
Dear Movie on Repeat, Please keep in mind this reply is for information purposes only and does not constitute treatment. Many younger children enjoy the same experience over and over in ways that can make their parents crazy. Disney and other animated movies are a very common area for this along with some YouTube videos. Up to a certain point, this can be common for 6-year-olds. The frequency and intensity you describe may be concerning. If your son has access to lots of other toys to play with and available playmates, but isn't very interested in them, then it may be an issue to look into. If your son is in school, you could ask them if they see the same intense focus there also. You could also ask his teacher if his social skills seem on target for his age. Ask if they think your son should have a developmental evaluation. Even if school reports no concerns, I think it is always good for parents to "trust their gut" and get more information about concerns. You can address the issue to your pediatrician and ask at what level you should be concerned about repetitive media viewing. Also, note if your son has other repetitive behaviors like repeating parts of the movie over and over (especially when it's not playing), spinning, walking in circles, or hand flapping. After discussing with your pediatrician, you can ask if she or he recommends an evaluation and with what kind of professional, if needed. Poor social skills along with intense focus may be signs of some developmental differences that merit specialist evaluation. Given that you have already developed some concerns, following up with the school and your pediatrician could be good next steps to see if your concerns are at levels where an evaluation would be a good idea. Sincerely, Todd Koser, Psy.D. NJ & PA Licensed Psychologist READ MORE
Patient privacy when it's a child being seen
Dear Patient Privacy, Child therapists usually handle this issue based on a few factors: state law, the kid's age and ability, the specific concern, and the therapist's work style. For younger children, many therapists keep parents informed about the developments in therapy that occur, when the parent is not present. For tweens and teens who may be addressing issues that are hard to talk about with a parent, the ground rules may be different. Each state has laws that govern what rights a child and a parent have to manage information and privacy. Because of this, the age a minor can assume responsibility for their information differs depending on where you live and where the therapy is taking place. In some cases, psychiatrists get written permission from a parent to prescribe medication for a minor. It is usually helpful for the parent and therapist/psychiatrist (and often including the child) to have a discussion about what will be updated to the parent and how. Agreements will differ based on the child's age, your local laws, and the issue being addressed. When looking for a therapist or psychiatrist, this is one of the areas you can ask them about as you are interviewing possible providers. Many child mental health workers also have an informal agreement made between the child and parent about how information will be disclosed as the therapist may feel this is important to help develop trust and a good working relationship with the child. Sincerely, Todd Koser, Psy.D. NJ & PA Licensed Psychologist READ MORE
Looking for help with my teenage daughter
Dear Teenage Years parent, This reply is for informational purposes only and does not constitute treatment. The teen years are indeed very tough. Most adults shudder at the idea of going back to revisit them. While hard, most folks get through them OK. Given that you don't have any specific concerns at the moment, the first step might be to have some talks with your daughter about how she feels she is doing and any of the challenges you are concerned for her. If she feels OK and up to challenges of being 14, then getting out in front of things might not be necessary. You could also contact a local adolescent(teen) psychiatrist to ask for a consultation visit to discuss your concerns. A more detailed and in-person consultation could provide a place to voice your concerns to a professional and see if they feel an appointment for your daughter would be helpful. Sincerely, Todd Koser, Psy.D. NJ & PA Licensed Psychologist READ MORE
How important is having friends?
Dear Are Friends Important, Please understand this reply is for information only and does not constitute treatment. For most people, having a group of friends that are close is important. The number of friends and how much time we spend with them differs from person to person. There is a pretty wide range in what is "normal" for folks from having a couple good friends to the "social butterfly", who knows just about everybody and hangs out with their friends every day. In some cases, a kid may not have many friends because of a recent move, change in school, or shift in interests away from where most of their friends were (left an organized sports team). With these shifts, it can take some time to develop a new set of friends. In other cases, a kid may have a couple close friends they see primarily at school, but who live far away, so are unavailable to come to the house outside of school. These friends may not be obvious to parents who don't spend the school day with their child. These are different from the child who has not really had any close friendships for most of their life and seem uninterested in developing them. If your daughter is interested in friends, but doesn't know how to go about it, then structured social skills help through school or an outside therapist might be appropriate. Therapists and evaluating psychologists often try to determine whether social isolation is because of peer rejection or lack of interest from the child. These two situations are often approached differently. Have you talked with your daughter about whether she has friends you aren't aware of and if not, whether she wants to make some friends? If she is not interested, it is usually hard to force this onto a kid and maybe not helpful. If the child expresses some interest, structured activities like sports, dance classes, or special interest clubs can put them into contact with kids who like the same things they do. Friendships may develop simply out of contact with peers who have similar interests. Given that you have expressed worry about her seeming lack of friends, it may be appropriate for you to consult with a child and family therapist to discuss your concerns with a professional. If you chose to talk with a counselor, they might be able to help you determine whether the concerns are minimal or if some next steps could be indicated. Sincerely, Todd Koser, Psy.D. NJ & PA Licensed Psychologist READ MORE
How to deal with the anxiety of getting cancer?
Hi, thanks for your question and I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your loved one. For some people, a recent loss can trigger anxiety-based behaviors that were not a problem prior to the loss. Given your loved one's battle with cancer, that fear intensifying makes sense for you at this time. Fear and anxiety reactions can be very powerful and extremely uncomfortable. In order to feel better and make the anxiety go down, we usually seek out some kind of proof the situation is really OK - like going to the doctor and ER. Usually people feel better for a while, then there is a new twinge, or a flutter beat of your heart, so a new pain or trouble sleeping and the cycle starts over again. There are talk therapies designed to address overly intense fears. Exposure therapy is one of the main types shown to be effective in helping people cope with and reduce overwhelming and obsessive fears. Supportive therapy and grief counseling might also be appropriate if there are issues related to the loss of your loved one that are a part of your recent concerns. It's not appropriate for me to provide direct advice about how you should handle your situation, but I can confirm there are psychotherapies designed to address the type of situation you describe in your question. If you are interested in seeking professional help, look for a therapist who has experience with exposure therapy to treat phobias and medical fears. Clinicians in this area often describe themselves as using a cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT approach. Specific mention of exposure therapy with response prevention and experience with medical phobias/fears could be helpful. READ MORE

Treatments

Autism Testing
School & Academic Testing
ADHD Testing & Behavioral Evaluations
IEP Review and meeting coaching
Intellectual Disability (ID/MR) Testing
Accommodations Requests Testing
Child & Family Therapy, Parenting Coaching
Adult Therapy
Pre-adoption Evaluation

Professional Memberships

Professional Member New Jersey Psychological Association
Professional Member South Jersey Psychological Association

Fellowships

Philadelphia Special People In The Northeast For Autism Evaluat

Dr. Todd Koser PSY.D.'s Practice location

The Spectrum Center, LLC

1930 Marlton Pike E J-49 Suite J-49 -
Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08003

Get Direction

New patients: 856-313-5619

Fax: 888-496-4170

www.sjspectrumcenter.com

Mon:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Tue:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Wed:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Thu:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Fri:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Sat:Closed
Sun:Closed

Dr. Todd Koser PSY.D.'s reviews

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Patient Experience with Dr. Koser

5.0

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Dr. Todd Koser PSY.D. has a rating of 5 out of 5 stars based on the reviews from 3 patients. FindaTopDoc has aggregated the experiences from real patients to help give you more insights and information on how to choose the best Psychologist in your area. These reviews do not reflect a providers level of clinical care, but are a compilation of quality indicators such as bedside manner, wait time, staff friendliness, ease of appointment, and knowledge of conditions and treatments.