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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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

MaleEnglish

Dr. Todd Koser PSY.D.

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

My Answers

Does therapy for social anxiety work?
This answer is for information purposes and does not constitute treatment. Dear 14-year-old male, Yes, there is a lot of research showing that a kind of therapy called *e*xposure and *r*esponse *p*revention (ERP) is very effective for helping people overcome most of their social anxiety. With a therapist's help, the person finds ways to help them stay calm while they are nervous, figure out the social things that make them a little anxious all the way up to very, very anxious, and then how to very gradually face those fears from easy to hard. This doesn't mean the person will never be anxious around people ever again, but they can usually do the things they want and need to do without being incredibly nervous in safe situations. Todd Koser, Psy.D. (he/him/his) READ MORE
I think I may have Aspergers?
Dear Maybe Asperger's, The following reply is for informational purposes only and is not a diagnosis or treatment. The conditions and symptoms you mention are often seen in people who qualify for an Asperger's diagnosis. If you feel these sensory and social issues are making problems for you, then you could consider seeking a diagnostic evaluation from a psychologist who is experienced in working with autistic women. We are learning that the presentation for some autistic women is very different from autistic men, so considering your gender will be important in the diagnostic process. If you are considering seeking talk therapy, the therapist may be more helpful if they are likewise knowledgeable about autism, sensory processing differences, social anxiety in autism, and autistic women. If you live on the East Coast, Felicity House in NYC is a service agency focused specifically on supporting autistic women. READ MORE
How serious is ADHD?
This answer is for informational purposes only and is not treatment. ADHD varies a lot between different people and different situations. Some folks have a mild to moderate presentation and mainly notice having a hard time getting organized or sticking with things they find boring. Others are more severe and may have a hard time being still in almost any setting or can't pay attention or stay organized to even do things they really enjoy. The impacts of untreated ADHD can be relatively serious. Research shows increased risks of poor school performance, impacts on making/keeping friends, and less stable work history. Research also shows there are some really effective medical and psychotherapy interventions for people who want to seek help if they find the ADHD really limits their life. READ MORE
Can my teenager benefit from therapy?
This answer is for informational purposes and is not treatment. Medication for ADHD often shows medium to large improvements in attention and some other symptoms. The medicine likely freed up some brain power that therapy can help her figure out how to use for her benefit. The largest study of ADHD found talk therapy focused on ADHD PLUS medication had the largest improvement in children and teens. I often say to folks, the medicine lets you access more of your brain power, now we have to figure out what to DO with that extra power and capacity. READ MORE
How can I get over my fear of heights?
This answer is for informational purposes and does not constitute treatment. For phobias like a fear of heights or small places or similar issues, a type of talk therapy called Exposure therapy or exposure therapy with response prevention is highly effective in fairly short periods of time (weeks to months). If you have already tried to do things to overcome your fear, then talking to a professional with experience treating phobias could help you improve in managing the fear. READ MORE
Should I go to my school's counseling center?
Dear Midterms, This reply to your question if for informational purposes only and does not constitute treatment or therapy. Yes, the counseling center at your school, I am going to assume college or university, may be able to help you. Stress can add up into a pretty intense anxiety in situations like this. That anxiety in turn can make it so uncomfortable to even think about the task/test/paper, let alone study or work on it, you just can't get started. This is a very common experience for students of all ages as well as for adults on deadlines. Immediately contact the counseling center can get you set up with an appointment to try to address the barriers to getting started. Those barriers can be the anxiety I mentioned above or also having so much to do you don't know how to get started. Talking with a counselor to determine what are the barriers and ways to address them can often help. The counseling center has to keep all you information private, so I hope that might help you feel less weird about going to see them. Also, if you think about it as getting help and assistance in order to do you best, that might help also. That is really what the college experience is all about, accessing help, knowledge, teaching, and new experiences in order to be a smarter, more educated version of you. Going to the counseling center to better understand how to manage your stress can be one important part of that experience. Good luck with midterms!! READ MORE
What are the symptoms of ADHD?
This response if for informational purposes only and does not constitute treatment. ADHD is a brain-based condition where kids have much more difficulty with directing their attention, controlling impulses, and sitting still than most other kids their age. As children get older, the hyperactivity often moves from large movements and "out of chair" behaviors to smaller scale fidgets. We look for these issues across at least two environments - usually school and home. Depending on their age and school demands, some kids have had struggles since they were very little. Others have these problems brought to light when needing to study and do large amounts of homework. Serious disorganization is another sign of ADHD that is very common for kids. You might want to email or call you son's teacher(s) to ask if he seems more active, less attentive, and has a harder time with organization than most of his classmates. This can give you a sense of whether these issues go across several settings or are more restricted to home. If the issues (at home and/or school) are causing fairly big problems, then you can consult a therapist who has experience working with kids and families affected by ADHD. There are a few specific treatments that have been shown to be effective for ADHD, so working with a person who specializes can make sure you get help that will make a difference. READ MORE
My son has been diagnosed with autism and it is depressing my wife. Please help.
This answer is for informational purposes only and does not constitute treatment. For some parents, an autism diagnosis for their child is a huge surprise and disappointment. If the diagnosis is very new, this may be an intense reaction, but within what could be expected. If you notice these changes are ongoing for more than a few weeks and your wife is expressing concern, then finding someone for her to talk with could be helpful. Many autism service organizations run parent support groups where parents come together to talk about their family and challenges. Many parents find this to be very helpful and healing. Knowing the challenges ahead and successes others have achieved can be very hopeful. You can find a listing of local agencies and providers on the Autism Speaks website. Some people feel more comfortable talking about family matters in a private setting with a therapist. You can also search on Autism Speaks for a local provider if you wife is interested in going to counseling. Finding a provider familiar with autism and family therapy might be especially helpful. Depending on where you live, this can be easy or very difficult. Even between the two of you, talking about your plan for treatment for your son and any positive changes you have noticed since the initial diagnosis may help your wife see and focus on some recent successes. Family support can also help a parent remember they don't have to face the big task of raising a child with autism alone. READ MORE
My son has asd
This answer is for informational purposes only and does not constitute treatment. Anxiety is the most common comorbid disorder for people with autism. You little guy sounds like he is likely having classic childhood anxiety symptoms. Just in case though, have you taken him to his pediatrician to be sure there are no medical issues occurring? Better safe than sorry in this regard. Many kids with autism do well in school, but then "fall apart" when they get home. Even if he enjoys it, the complex social and behavioral demands are often really stressful for kids with ASD. The fact that you mention he is very quiet at school but not at home add strength to your thoughts about anxiety. If the tummy symptoms have been occurring for more than the 1st few weeks of school, then it might be time to talk with a therapist. Depending on your son's communication skills, family therapy or art/music therapy might help him find ways to identify his stress and express it. Once you have ideas about what seems to be stressful for him you can work with the school to eliminate those elements as much as possible. Have a chat wit the school counselor, special education person, and/or school psychologist about your concerns. See what they might suggest. If that isn't enough, then consider seeing a therapist. One who specializes in treating children with ASD might be especially helpful. READ MORE
Is fear of closed spaces a real disorder?
This answer is for informational purposes only and does not constitute treatment. Fear of small, enclosed spaces, also called claustrophobia, is a very really phobia. Given the sweating and seeming nervousness, your theory seems likely. Have you asked her about how she feels in elevators? You can also ask her about other similar spaces she has been in (closets, small bathrooms, etc). If she does seem to have a phobia, and it isn't that she just a little uncertain what to do inside an elevator where most people are weirdly silent, then you can talk with a therapist who specializes in anxiety and phobia about possibly treating her for the condition. READ MORE
Can one start showing symptoms of ADHD as an adult?
This answer is for informational purposes only and does not constitute treatment. ADHD is understood to be a brain-based, developmental disorder present from childhood. Usually adults who have clear signs of ADHD can find a history of attention, impulsive, or hyperactive problems in their childhood. Some adults who have a milder case of ADHD don't "run into the wall" until they get a job or other life circumstance that finally overwhelms their coping strategies. If your parents and siblings are good historians and don't recall you having any issues with attention, hyperactivity, or impulsiveness, then other issues like anxiety, depression, or a really stressful and complicated lifestyle might be the issue. These days, most people are expected to keep a lot on their plate and stay organized in a chaotic world. If you are only in adulthood running into problems, then it may be time to talk with a psychologist about your personal symptom profile and history to see if ADHD, another diagnosis, or "just life" is right for you. If you are feeling overwhelmed lately, even if you don't qualify for a formal diagnosis, having counseling to address your stress (and likely disorganization) can be really helpful. Adult support groups for folks with ADHD can also help normalize your experience. CHADD is a group for folks with ADHD that publishes a list of local groups along with lots of helpful ideas to manage ADHD and its core symptoms. READ MORE
Would I be able to cure my depression with just exercise?
This answer is for informational purposes only and does not constitute treatment. I can't say whether you can cure your depression with exercise. However, I can say that research has shown that physical activity and engagement all on their own can be extremely effective for some people. The main treatment with this name is "behavioral activation." Assuming you aren't exercising to extremes or ignoring other responsibilities, the exercise is unlikely to hurt and every likely to help. If you exercise outdoors, have a plan for how you will manage or vary your exercise routine to accommodate changes in the weather and daylight. Some folks like to walk a long circuit in a local mall to deal with hot/cold weather. READ MORE
My son is a different child since the death of his father. What can I do to help him?
This answer is for informational purposes only and does not constitute treatment. Children usually experience grief when a parent they were emotionally close to dies. Children of all ages can be deeply affected by the loss. It seems like you might have him seeing a therapist currently. You might want to talk with the therapist about whether his grief seems unusually intense. At 10 months, it doesn't seem like his mourning period is overly extended or long yet. Some kids work in therapy better with approaches that are different from the adult "we sit here and talk about it" way. Art or music or drama therapy might help him to experience the grief and express it in new ways. Play therapy or sand tray therapy might also be a different modality that could work for him. If he's able to get done most of the things other kids his age are doing - school, some friends - then he may just need more time. You can also talk with him about your experience of losing your husband to let me know the loss and grief are normal. You can also try asking if something else might be the reason he is more quiet lately. Sometimes amidst the huge changes in a household related to the loss of a parent/spouse something unrelated to the death gets overlooked that may be related to a child's changes in behavior. The comedian Patton Oswalt has written very touching and grounded comedy and essays about his experience as a sudden widower and single parent. Some of this writings might give some ideas on how to approach your son and support him. READ MORE
My son has a hard time paying attention to instructions, and tells me he feels nervous all the time. Should he be in counseling?
This answer is for informational purposes and does not constitute treatment. A few possible reasons for your son's difficulty with instructions comes to mind: 1. are the verbal instructions too complex for his age or general language level; 2. does he seem nervous another other stuff, but instructions are places where if you mess up, the consequences are drastic; 3. does he seem to have problems paying attention in other situations. Situation 1 - some kids have language delays or processing problems that make instructions very difficult for them. If your child is in school, you can talk to his teacher about whether they notice this also. If yes, then it may be a good idea to ask the school to do an evaluation of his language abilities. BUT, sometimes parent (and less often, teachers) give instructions in ways that are too complex or too long. This makes anyone nervous. See if you can cut instructions down to a max of 1-3 steps and see how your kid does. Situation 2 - directions/instructions are the key to success for tasks. If you child is anxious by nature, this might be the area where that come out the most. Think about whether they seem worried and easily fixated on stuff. When a person is anxious, it often affects their attention. Situation 3 - some kids have ADHD that makes it hard for them to pay attention to directions that go on for too long. After getting yelled at, they can see the train wrecking coming and can get anxious simply because they almost never get this right. If you see other situations with lots of issues with hyperactivity, a hard time paying attention, then getting an evaluation to check for ADHD might be appropriate. READ MORE
Sex, libido, and autism
This answer is for information purposes, but is not treatment. Sex and relationships can be a very complex topic of some people with autism. Other folks with ASD date, marry, and have sexual partners with success. Depending on the person's functional level, learning ways to seek out and have consensual sexual partners may or may not be practical. People with ASD who have very intense social impacts may find this to be extremely difficult to achieve. Almost everyone engages in some kind of sexual behavior after they go through puberty. If finding a consensual sexual partner isn't practical, then helping the person understand that masturbation behaviors need to be in a private and safe location is usually the preferred treatment approach. For folks with ASD who likely have the core abilities to date and engage in consensual sex, but lack the current skills, then a young adult social skills group targeted to these area can be huge help. Some autism providers specialize in this area of teaching dating and sex for young adults. Even so, it is often a huge challenge for people with autism to make connections with people to a level where they feel comfortable discussing sex and negotiating sexual consent and contact. Research by Dr. Isabelle Henault has focused on this area of social functioning for young adults. She has written a book titled "Asperger's Syndrome and Sexuality" to help therapists support folks with ASD to learn about this area of life. Lastly, while not considered very appropriate any more, there are some medications that reduce libido. Discussions with a medical professional and consent from the patient, where appropriate, would be needed to access this option. READ MORE
My son is 16 years old and afraid of his exams. Should I send him to a psychologist?
Dear parent of scared exam taker, Please bear in mind this answer is for informational purposes only and does not constitute treatment. If your son has always been an anxious test taker, then perhaps this is not so unusual for him. As students get older, they often become more aware of the relative importance of high-stakes exams. He may just be talking about the exams more now that he is aware of them. If, instead, this seems like a big change for him, then maybe something is up that needs your help. Your son may be aware he is academically struggling more recently and is concerned this will be highlighted by the exams. Some states have certain years that are exam-heavy, so this may be more intense than prior grades. I would suggest you talk to your son and mention you noticed his worries and concerns. You can also contact his school and speak to his counselor, teachers (and maybe the school psychologist) to talk about his concerns. Ask them if they see indications whether he is likely to do well or have a hard time with the state exams. If your son or his teachers express serious concerns, then it could be time to look into having him talk with a psychologist about the worries. A psychologist that is experienced with teen anxiety and academic concerns would seem to be ideal. Licensed psychologists who are also certified school psychologists, or use NCSP as part of their credentials, are likely to be familiar with this area of practice. You can also talk with his school about any supports they can put in place, like tutoring or academic coaching or groups for anxious students, to help him manage and overcome the fear. If his teachers have very significant concerns about his academic performance, then an educational evaluation from the school to better understand why he is struggling could also be very helpful. Best wishes, Dr. Koser READ MORE
Autism and Gender
This reply is for information purposes only and does not constitute treatment. I can certainly understand your frustration, including with some of the information presented on other portions of the FindATopDoctor website. I scanned some articles and I agree some of the information is outdated and incorrect. I do not review any of the autism content on the site apart from my personal answers to patient questions. You touch on two points that are at the forefront of thought and research on autism diagnosis right now: 1) is the gender gap in the ratio real, and 2) are symptoms in girls and women somehow different than in boys and men? Recent research has sought to address the first question. Researchers using more rigorous methods found the gender ratio narrowed with careful diagnosis to 3 boys for every girl. You can read more about the study here: https://spectrumnews.org/news/estimate-autisms-sex-ratio-reaches-new-low/. This awareness is spreading in the autism-directed service community now, but is making a slower journey outside of those to follow autism research closely. The other question of whether current diagnostic criteria capture the presentation for most girls and women with autism is controversial right now. The ways we understand autism are evolving very quickly in medical and psychological research - faster than most quoted statistics can keep up with. The diagnostic criteria for autism were revised with the recent publication of the DSM-5. I think this has improved the ability to recognize social delays and differences in younger children, including young girls with higher functioning forms of autism. Could clinicians do better? Yes we could. It is often frustrating for us, as well as for the general public, how slowly published diagnostic criteria and ideas about "what is autism" change. Many professionals who work with people with autism try to keep these factors in mind every day and to educate those around us about these issues. I also encourage people with autism to speak out for themselves to spread the word. There are a number of autism groups that seek self-advocates to do this work, like Autism Speaks and the variety of organizations for people with Asperger's. READ MORE
Is biofeedback helpful?
Please keep in mind this answer is for information purposes only and does not constitute treatment. I view stress as events occurring in your life and the lives of those close to you (both positive and negative) that put demands on your time, attention, and emotions. Even someone going through a very happy event like a new relationship or a big life transition like a wedding can feel happy and stressed at the same time. Events and circumstances that make us feel frequently worried and overwhelmed obviously are hard to manage also. Biofeedback can't control the events that are stressing the person, but it is a good way to learn techniques to help control the physical reactions our bodies naturally have to stress. When done well, biofeedback interventions give more immediate and clearer information about our body's stress responses than we can get on our own. Hence the name. Biofeedback is normally paired with an evaluation and interviewing to understand what stressors a person is experiencing, the unique ways that person's body reacts to the stressors, and specific techniques to calm down the stress response. The actual feedback information helps a person learn the best ways to apply those techniques (like deep muscle relaxation or hand/foot warming, self-talk to help control worry). Biofeedback can't control stress, but it is a really good way to measure our stress levels and learn to manage them effectively. READ MORE
Is there a link between loss of appetite and depression?
This answer is for information only and does not constitute treatment. Changes in appetite can be a symptom of depression, but this can also be related to a number of other health conditions as well as a side effect of some medications. Talking with your father and asking him to participate in some of his doctor appointments to express your concerns to his doctors, assuming that is OK with him, might be a good place to start. If you father receives counseling to help address his depressed mood and help him get support for his health problems, you could also ask for him to raise the appetite issue with his counselor. Similar to his medical doctors, you could ask him if he would bring you to a session so you could raise the issue with his counselor. Ruling out medical issues is usually a good first step when trying to address an issue like change in appetite that can have both medical and psychological causes. READ MORE
Is being a bisexual a problem?
This answer is for information purposes only and does not constitute treatment. Some people experience shifts in their attractions, sexual interests, and romantic attachments over the course of their life. You mention "slowly discovering" in your question. This may mean things have shifted for you recently, or these attractions and feelings have been present in the background for a while and you are just starting to recognize them now. Same-sex attraction carries some amount of negative reaction and stigma in many societies and cultures. This often makes it very difficult to face and identify as we mature. People receive lots of signals, some subtle and some as clear as a punch in the face, about who it is OK to be attracted to and feel romantic about. For some, this leads to a suppression of feelings. For others, there is a change as we mature. The nature and meaning of "feelings" is a very huge and loaded topic also. In most of American culture, men and boys are taught that close and tender feelings towards other males, especially those not our father or brothers, is wrong. Sometimes, as men mature they come to feel that closeness with male friends and family is a kind of love that needs to be recognized, but doesn't have any sexual drive to it. Not all attraction is inherently sexual. Feelings of emotional and/or sexual attraction to both men and women are not a problem in and of themselves. Depending on your current partnership status (coupled or single), the opinions of your close family and friends, how much you feel influenced and bound by your culture, and the laws on same-sex conduct in your area (and whether feelings lead to sexual behavior), there may or may not be a problem. If these changes are making your feel really anxious or stressed out or worried, or if they are making problems getting along with those you love, then maybe you need some help to figure out what to do. If these feelings aren't troubling to you and not interfering with your relationships, then maybe that is a different matter. Some information that may help you can be found at the Kinsey Institute (https://www.kinseyinstitute.org/research/faq.php) as well as at the Bisexual Resource Center (https://biresource.org/). 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

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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

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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.