Footprint was founded as an expression of Hope, Protest, and Respect by its founders, Sarosh Cooper, PhD and Herzel Yerushalmi, PhD, LPC. Footprint's staff and services aspire to offer hope for a more satisfying life, a space to voice protest, and a deep respect for all of us being simply human. This is an experience that diminishes feelings of hurt and fuels empowerment, self-respect and purpose. These principles serve as a compass for us at Footprint. 

Sarosh Cooper, PhD

Sarosh Cooper, PhD was born in Union City, NJ and raised in Northern New Jersey. From a young age, he was keenly aware of the emotional difficulties and hurt people were going through. He graduated with his B.A. from George Washington University with a major in psychology. He spent the next year traveling throughout Africa, Asia, and South America before settling in San Francisco to pursue his doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology. There he immersed himself in working with children, adolescents, and families from the inner cities of Oakland and Richmond, CA. He worked passionately with young people and families most in need. Then, in 2006, he relocated back to the New York Metropolitan Area, and spent the next 10 years at Rutger's University (formerly UMDNJ), as the lead clinician/assistant clinical director of the Adolescent Therapeutic Day School where he served hundreds of children, teenagers and their families. In 2013, Dr. Cooper established a part-time private practice in Jersey City, NJ. He is deeply committed to issues of social justice, the power of relationships, and providing the best care possible to those most in need as a psychologist, husband, son, father, and founding partner of Footprint New Jersey.

Ali Herzel Yerushalmi, PhD, LPC

Ali Herzel Yerushalmi, PhD was born in Tehran, Iran. At age 13, he immigrated to Palestine. While there, he completed his undergraduate and master's degrees in history and clinical psychology at Tel-Aviv University. After completing his education there, he worked extensively with issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. In 1991, he remarried and immigrated with his new family to the United States. While in Los Angeles, CA, he worked with dually diagnosed teenagers and adults.  In 1993, he and his family moved to the New York Metropolitan Area, where he took a clinical position at Rutger's University (formerly UMDNJ). In 1998, Ali wrote and published his first book, "Psychobiographic Approach to Psychotherapy: A Study of the Power Structure of Psychotherapy." The book was well received and dubbed, "an important classic" and "revolutionary." He spent the next 20 years further developing and expanding his ideas about psychotherapy and its potential for empowerment as a Counselor and Clinical Program Director. He successfully treated hundreds of children, teenagers, and families as well as consulted, supervised, and mentored generations of counselors and therapists as the heart and soul of the Adolescent Therapeutic Day School. Dr. Yerushalmi deeply values issues of social justice and finding creative solutions to life's difficulties as a counselor, artist, writer, father, husband, and founding partner of Footprint New Jersey.

Shlomit Mona Yerushalmi, MSW, LCSW

I was born in Romania. As a young child, I immigrated with my parents to Israel. The uproot and the need to adjust to the new culture stimulated my curiosity and awakened a passion for different cultures. Growing up in Israel also made me aware of issues like social justice, power and oppression. After graduating from high school and traveling for some time I have decided to study social work. I graduated from Tel Aviv University with a BA in social work and a certificate in Dance Movement therapy.  Equipped with my young enthusiasm to change the world I started working with people that have experienced severe traumas, the majority being women.  In 1992 after remarrying, there was another big change in my life. My husband and me with our 3 children made another immigration to US. Here I completed my MA in Clinical Social Work from Yeshiva University. From then on I continued working with different people with various needs and different presentations. I worked with individual, couples and groups. I supervised students as well as therapists. All these years I couldn’t stop thinking about the multiple transitions I have gone through in life and how they impacted, influenced and enriched me in a way to becoming a better therapist. I am a daughter, mother, grandmother, wife, therapist and above all a human being who cares a lot about the people I meet and the world around me. I am fascinated by the challenges relationships bring to us in a world that promotes hyper-individuality over togetherness and violence over love. The last several years I dedicated much of my energy to the challenges women face in this world. I want to bring my knowledge, my professional and life experience to help women with the issues that are so unique to us. 

Nixzaliz Rojas Pridgen, LCSW

Nixzaliz was born and raised in Hoboken, NJ. She grew up in a large Latino immigrant family who were part of the first Dominicans to call Hoboken home. Navigating familial and social pressures through mediation was a skill she developed at a very early age. Nixzaliz developed her natural talents in art and music into professional pursuits. After obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, she traveled across the country interviewing and documenting different artists and musicians for broadcasting companies. This journey provoked an interest to learn more about people and human behaviors, on a much deeper level- intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally. In 2010 she completed a Master’s Degree at New York University in Clinical Social Work, and since then has spent years working with individuals, and children and families in need. Today, she is both a lead therapist and clinician administrator of Footprint, a wife, and mother who enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, dancing, and hiking in her spare time. She is vibrant, passionate, and attuned to people’s emotions. Always looking to establish and build intimate and meaningful connections with people.

Sara Parliman, Client Services Manager

Sara grew up in Tacoma WA where she and her family spent every summer camping, exploring small towns, attending concerts, and playing baseball in their backyard while listening to Sublime. When she wasn’t on the road exploring the west coast, she was making movies, creating music, and writing novels at the early age of 13. Despite her love and pride for her home state, she had always dreamed about a life someday on the East Coast. She fulfilled those dreams when she moved 3,000 miles away in 2015 with her childhood best friend to attend college in Orlando, FL. As soon as she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Film and Television, she moved to Jersey City in pursuit of her dream of working in the film industry. It is her passion to tell stories that showcase our humanity and make a connection with people on a profound level through film and writing. In 2021, Sara joined Footprint as the Client Services Manager. In addition to scheduling new clients, she is proud to assist people to take the first step in seeking support with their mental health. Sara looks forward to helping you with any questions or concerns you may have about starting therapy and will be delighted to assist you in order to help you get started on the road to healing.