Dr. Kieran Ayre helped our family tremendously. Our son had been in an out of several substance abuse treatment programs in the past. He was never able to achieve any lasting period of sobriety. Kieran worked with our whole family and gave us generous attention as we struggled to come to terms with our role, as parents, in our son’s addiction. Our son felt comfortable with Dr. Ayre to really open up (for the first time to a therapist) and began to see things from a different perspective and really work on himself. Our son is now clean and sober, working and living independently. We could not be happier and are eternally grateful to Kieran for helping us all get to this place!
Elaine and Tom D. Basking Ridge, NJ
As a medical professional, struggling with an Alcohol and marital problem, I was apprehensive to seek Alcohol counseling. I was concerned about my professional reputation and did not want to sit in group sessions where patients, neighbors or others might see me. In Dr. Ayre, I found comfort, hope and direction, but most importantly I found safety and security in a private office environment that afforded me complete privacy and confidentiality. Kieran was very helpful, very knowledgeable and professional. He’s top notch!
A.S. Morris County, New Jersey
I was court ordered to attend substance abuse treatment and attended counseling sessions with Dr. Kieran Ayre 10 years ago. I did not want to go, but I had to. Dr. Ayre was a good guy, but I didn’t want to really hear the things he had to say. He made me think about the way I was thinking and behaving and he was patient with me. Three years later I knew I needed help, sought Kieran out, and went back to him. This time I was a “voluntary” patient, I wanted to be there and I took it seriously. I am over 6 years sober today and an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous. I still check in with Dr. Ayre every now and then. He was a big part of the reason I was able to really invest in the process of recovery. Even though I wasn’t able to hear his message 10 years ago, I remembered his passion and enthusiasm. That’s what brought me back to him when I was ready to try to stop using. I said to myself, “That guy can help me!” He’s a really good counselor and a great guy.
Jim N . Mendham, NJ
Dr. Ayre helped our family plan and execute an Intervention on our sister. We had been working with another Interventionist and the process was going nowhere. Additionally, our situation was complicated because we are 4 siblings living in four locations; 2 being out of state. Kieran worked with us to plan, rehearse and execute a flawless intervention. He gave us homework, reading assignments and made us look at our own issues. I am happy to say: It worked like a charm and I am happy to say our sister is sober today!
The “G” family Randolph, NJ ~ Cranford, NJ ~ New Haven, CT ~ Albuquerque, NM
Our daughter, Laura, had a serious drug problem that was complicated by a long-standing psychiatric condition. Dr. Ayre worked with us as a family to find the perfect inpatient program for Laura. He helped us through every twist and turn of getting her there. He found the perfect program for her. After Laura completed inpatient care, it was determined that she needed “extended care”. Dr. Ayre was there for us again, taking the time to coordinate with the inpatient program and find the perfect aftercare placement for her. He worked tirelessly to make sure that the program was right for her and that she was comfortable. The extended care program ended up being out of state and we were nervous about whether she would like it there. Kieran called and spoke with Laura and her counselor the day she got there. Kieran called us at 10:30pm that night to let us know she was safe and comfortable. He let us know he had spoken with both Laura and her counselor. That meant the world to my wife and I. In a world where so many professionals are simply focused on making money, Kieran really went out of his way to look out for all of us and displayed extraordinary compassion for our daughter and us. We feel very lucky to have had him in our lives during a very trying time.
Drs. John and Mary S. Chatham, NJ
I sought Dr. Kieran Ayre out a number of years ago at the recommendation of a dear friend. I was battling with my husband around his drinking. I went to Kieran with the hope that I could convince my husband to see him and get sober. Kieran worked with me on my issues and taught me to emotionally detach from my husband’s Alcoholism. My husband never agreed to see Kieran, but I stayed and worked with him over 2 years. It may sound weird to some people but even though my husband still drinks, I have learned to not have his Addiction to Alcohol impact my life negatively. I attend Al-Anon and I am a transformed person in my journey of wellness. I cannot thank Dr. Ayre enough for opening my eyes and giving me permission to place my needs in front of my husband’s Alcoholism. He is, unfortunately still addicted to Alcohol, but I can honestly say, I am not addicted to his Alcoholism! Thank you, Kieran.
Sally B. Westfield, NJ
I went to see Dr. Ayre for counseling while in my sophomore year at XXXXXXXX (a private academy). My parents were going through a divorce and it was very tough for me at home. My way of dealing with it was to drink, use drugs and engage in self-destructive behaviors. Looking back, I felt that if I could get my parents to pay attention to me, and focus on me, they would not fight; they would stay together and not get divorced. Dr. Ayre worked with me to help me understand the roots of my behavior and develop better ways of coping and managing my emotions. When I first started with Kieran, I was in jeopardy of being academically dismissed from school. As a write this, I am presently a 2nd year medical student at XXXXX University. I owe a great deal to Dr. Ayre, who helped me through a very difficult chapter of my life. I have made the decision to pursue pediatric oncology and hope to instill hope and encouragement in the patients I work with, as Dr. Ayre did for me. He believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.
Evan J. Harding, NJ
I am an executive for a large multinational conglomerate Fortune 500 Company. I was drinking too much and it was impacting my health, my moods and most importantly my marriage. My wife told me I needed to do something and I asked her to sign me up for a program. She signed me up at an IOP program that was referred to us by our primary care physician. I went to my first night of IOP and it wasn’t anything like the brochure or the website touted. The group was full of court mandated men and women who couldn’t have been less interested to be there. The counselor was rough and used a “street approach” to bully and shame the group members. I couldn’t relate to a single member of the group, most of who had been to jail and used street drugs. Discouraged and annoyed, I refused to go back. After some searching around, my wife found Dr. Ayre. I VERY RELUCTANTLY went to see him, expecting another AA hyping lecture and threats that I would “end up dead” if I continued to drink. I think Kieran could sense my ambivalence and distrust, but he won me over. His style and approach were great. He saw my abilities and strengths and adapted an approach that worked to address the specific problems I was having. I’m not a big AA fan, and Kieran worked with me in a way that I could both understand and tolerate. He is smart and uses a lot of logic and reasoning that creates clarity when looking at complicated issues. I learned that I am not an alcoholic but someone who has developed a pattern of drinking to relieve stress, boredom and several other things. I have now learned techniques to identify the triggers that make me want to drink as well as strategies to keep my drinking under control. My wife and I were so happy with how my counseling went that we began seeing Kieran for marital counseling. Kieran is smart. He is educated and he approaches patients with care, concern, compassion and respect. I would recommend him strongly.
Kevin N. Summit, NJ
Colleague and Peer Endorsements/Recommendations:
Dr. Ayre is the consummate professional in a wide range of roles. As an experienced clinician, addiction specialist and consultant in this area, Kieran brings great insight and knowledge to his work. His key role as an administrator for a large residential facility demonstrates his obvious intelligence and competence in the work he does. Kieran is a trusted colleague who I recommend enthusiastically.
Nancy M. Violette, Ph.D., LCSW, LCADC, CCS
Assistant Professor, Fordham University School of Social Service, Former Director of Professional Development, Rutgers University
Dr. Ayre is an excellent and fair forensic expert. He is experienced enough to get past the non-sense that trips up less experienced experts. He provides fair opinions and is seasoned enough to recognize true problems even with the most difficult clients. He will go to the next step and provide realistic treatment plans and service recommendations for people who suffer from addiction problems. Kieran’s professionalism and integrity are beyond question.
Dina Mikulka, Esq. Partner at Paris P. Eliades Law Firm LLC
Kieran is an excellent choice if you need a comprehensive and thorough forensic evaluation in a litigated custody/parenting time matter. Kieran is also a great psychotherapist.
John Clancy, Esq. Partner, Divorce & Family Law Attorney & Mediator at Townsend, Tomaio & Newmark, L.L.C.
Please share this post!I have known Kieran Ayre for 20 years and have called upon him for his expertise in the field of substance abuse treatment many times. He is well-known and well-respected in his field and extremely knowledgeable of the subject matter. It is always a pleasure speaking with Kieran, as he is very professional and always willing to help.
Jackie Tillson, LPC, LCADC, SAC, NCC
High School Student Assistance Counselor/Guidance Counselor, Therapist in Private Practice, Former Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Substance Abuse Consultant
