Vidal Annan Jr., Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist licensed in the states of New Jersey and New York. Dr. Annan works with children of all ages who may be experiencing emotional and behavioral difficulties including mood disorders, poor self-control, anger, anxiety, trauma, family conflict, school problems, and oppositional and disruptive behaviors. He specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Psychodynamic psychotherapy and is also a proponent of play therapy and socio-emotional learning (SEL), an approach designed to help children increase their social and emotional competencies. Dr. Annan also has extensive training in Infant Mental Health (0-6 year olds) and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy.  He is the author of the book; In My Feelings, A Teen Guide to Discovering What You Feel So You Can Decide What to Do.

 

Dr. Annan obtained his Ph.D. from Rutgers University in 2000 with a focus on cognitive processing and experimental psychology. He received his clinical training at Fairleigh Dickinson University where he focused on the psychology of children and families. He currently works as a psychologist at the Boys’ Club of New York where he provides clinical services to the youth members, and also as the Program Director at Youth Development Clinic in Newark where he oversees school and community mental health services. Dr. Annan worked for five years as a clinician at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey  (UMDNJ) providing clinical services to children and families.

 

Dr. Annan has taught and presented at several colleges and universities including Barnard College, Vanderbilt University, Kean University, and Rutgers University. He has also been awarded several grants from foundations such as Autism Speaks, the HealthCare Foundation of New Jersey, and the Prudential Foundation, to conduct program development and clinical work. Dr. Annan has published papers in the area of cognitive processing and social policy development.

 

In 2010, Dr. Annan was selected to be a fellow in the “Ladder to Leadership” program for non-profit sector leaders in Newark, New Jersey. This prestigious program was supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Victoria Foundation, and the Center for Creative Leadership. He currently lives with his wife and two children in West Orange, NJ.