Practitioners
Candace Jania L.Ac., DACM, FABORM
Owner & Founder
Candace Jania is the owner and founder of the Acupuncture Center for Reproductive Health and the Acupuncture Center for Family Health. After receiving a B.A. from Pennsylvania State University, she continued her studies with a post-graduate pre-med curriculum from Hunter College in NYC. She then attended the Eastern School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pacific College of Oriental Medicine for her training in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology and completed her Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. She also completed a 2 year Graduate Mentorship Program with Herbal Master Sharon Weizenbaum. Candace is licensed both nationally (NCCAOM Dipl. Of Oriental Medicine) and in the state of NJ (L.Ac.). She received one of the tops scores to become board certified as a Fellow on the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine (FABORM). Candace has extensive training and experience with issues concerning reproductive health- specifically fertility, pregnancy, gynecological imbalances, menopause and women’s health. She has also had much success in treating emotional disorders, allergies, migraines, pain, skin disorders and much more. She treats her entire family with her medicine for their colds and flus, coughs, and anything else that comes up.
Candace is also trained in Master Tung acupuncture, Dr. Tan Balance Method, SA’AM, Japanese style, and trigger point therapy.
Chinese Medicine is Candace’s passion, which also extends into her home life. She grows many herbs in her organic garden and treats her family and animals (chickens and dogs) with acupuncture and herbal medicine as well.
Michael Gonzales L.Ac.
Michael Gonzales earned his Masters of Science & Traditional Chinese Medicine from one of the top ranked schools, Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, in 2002. From 2003 to 2007 he practiced in San Francisco. He worked closely with and was mentored by Dr. Angela Wu, author of Fertility Wisdom. His main focus was treating couples with fertility challenges. In 2007 Michael moved to NJ and has worked alongside medical doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, athletic coaches and massage therapists. He has extensive experience with pain management, sports injuries and fertility.
Michael believes that the body has a natural ability to heal itself. Although he mainly uses acupuncture to assist the body’s natural healing response, he also looks at how nutrition, exercise, stress and spirituality influence a person’s current condition. Michael sees himself as a partner in a person’s healing journey, assisting them in taking responsibility for their health.
Recently, Michael had a strong calling to continue studying Qi Gong and energy healing and incorporates it while doing acupuncture and body work.
Hannah Ciraco L.Ac.
Hannah received her Master’s of Science degree in Acupuncture from the Eastern School of Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine. As an intern Hannah focused her practical studies on women’s health, particularly infertility, menstrual disorders and pregnancy. In addition, Hannah completed a 12 month internship at the Veterans Hospital in East Orange, NJ where she treated patients with severe and chronic pain as well as emotional issues. Hannah has experience in multiple methods of acupuncture and enjoys combining techniques and modalities to create a unique and effective treatment for her patients. Hannah also works as an acupuncturist at an infertility clinic, supporting women during the In Vitro process.
Hannah expanded her education in pregnancy, labor and delivery by completing a DONA® Birth Doula workshop and is currently a practicing birth doula as well as an acupuncturist. She plans to further hone her specialization in the field of infertility and pregnancy.
Before finding a passion for Chinese medicine, Hannah was a senior swimwear designer for a large swimwear company in New York City.
Hannah spends her free time with her husband and their young daughter. Together they love to travel, spend time outdoors and with friends and family. Hannah also enjoys early morning runs around Basking Ridge and spinning classes.
Alison Bernasco L.Ac., RYT 500
Alison Bernasco is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Yoga Instructor (RYT 500), practicing and instructing in the state of New Jersey. She is nationally board certified as a Diplomate of Acupuncture by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Alison obtained her Master’s degree in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine at the Eastern School in Bloomfield, NJ.
Alison enjoys treating so many indications within acupuncture’s broad scope, and her specialties include helping patients with their musculoskeletal pains, sports injuries, anxiety, depression, and stress. As a mother of one, women’s health has additionally become a specialty of hers, and Alison feels privileged to assist patients in their fertility journeys and with each step of their perinatal care. She believes in a whole-body approach to healing, one which includes the physical body as well as the mind and spirit. Alison sees herself as an assistant in the healing process, and employs tools such as acupuncture, cupping, breath work, and yoga to support and encourage each patient to function at their most optimal.
Trish Stagg
Trish is our office assistant and has worked at the Acupuncture Center for 3.5 years. Trish earned her Bachelor’s in Marketing from Iona college and worked at Merrill Lynch for several years. She then worked as a full time homemaker raising three wonderful daughters, and most recently worked for a fundraising company before joining our team!
You might be lucky enough to hear Trish’s friendly greeting when calling our office or see her smiling face when you’re in for an appointment. She also handles all of our referrals and is the wizard behind our essential oil blends. In her free time, Trish volunteers for FISH, and likes to stay active. She loves to play tennis, run and ski.
Melissa Gaita
Melissa is the newest addition to the Acupuncture Center administrative team, but she is no stranger to the family! Melissa and Candace met when they were 12 & have been close friends since. Melissa was a stay at home mom to three for many years, and now that her babies are grown up, she has branched out to other endeavors. Melissa and her husband own a pizzeria in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ that keeps them incredibly busy in the summertime & there’s never a dull moment. Over the summer weekends, when she is not at the office, you can usually find her there slinging slices. Melissa loves spending her free time with her kids and 12 nieces & nephews.