Family Therapy Psychiatrists in Westfield, NJ

The decision to go into therapy is not an easy one. As an advanced practice psychiatric nurse with 20+ years of experience, I have found that by providing a safe, supportive, and caring atmosphere, my clients can express their thoughts and feelings, understand themselves better, and feel empowered to make changes in their lives. As a nurse psychotherapist, I integrate an understanding of my clients' medical, family, social, and emotional issues to help them attain their optimal level of mental health. I am also able to prescribe medication to facilitate treatment of mood disorders and anxiety affecting my clients.

My ideal patient is one with multiple psychiatric co-morbidities looking for a treatment to improve one’s mood, energy, anxiety, and focus. Do you feel sad daily, stopped socializing with friends & family members, perform the bare minimum work tasks, call out of work frequently, and are failing college classes due to not completing school assignments & attendance? Have you been using cannabis to cope with one’s current mood symptoms? Have you failed numerous medications due to side effects & effectiveness? I will help you develop a treatment plan to help you meet your mental health goals and feel content & yourself again.

Dr. Shavar Chase, DNP, PMHNP-BC. I founded my practice to specialize in treating the family including children, adolescents, adults and older adults with or who believe they may have difficulty with Psychiatric and Mental Health challenges. I have practiced as a Registered Nurse in an array of specialties for over 31 years. I also have specialized in Psychiatric, Mental Health and Addictions treatment for the past 14 years. As a solution focused Psychiatric and Mental Health Advanced Nurse Practitioner, it's my goal to assist you in reducing symptoms that impact your ability to function at home, at work, at school or at play.

I am dedicated to providing warm, skillful, compassionate, and personalized care to each patient for a variety of mental health conditions via a combination of therapy and medication when indicated. I believe that the therapeutic relationship is at the heart of successful treatment. I work diligently to create a safe, stigma-free, and welcoming environment where you can feel comfortable exploring your thoughts, feelings, and to increase your general wellbeing using a whole-body approach. I tailor my treatment approach collaboratively with you to meet your unique needs and goals.

Hello, I look forward to meeting you! My name is Ilija and I'm a Board Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner In the state of New Jersey. I specialize in ADHD, Anxiety, Burnout, Depression, Anger Management, College & Graduate Student Mental Health, Family Issues, Insomnia/Sleep Issues, Loss, Grief and Bereavement, Men's Issues, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and Stress Management.

My ideal client presents with anxiety; she has been experiencing a lot of panic attacks. She has been to the ER over three times in the past two months, where they ruled out cardiac problems. They always give her benzodiazepine and follow up with a psychiatrist. She does not want to be on medications, so she tried psychotherapy. She was then referred by her therapist. Her goal is to stay on medication for a short time. She prefers to use natural remedies. She is very fearful of science and the long-term effects of medications.

I am a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with years of experience treating teen/adolescents and their families. I focus on treating the whole individual with psychotherapy and medication when appropriate, and after careful assessment. The driving force behind my practice is to create a nurturing environment where kids can grow into healthy adults with learned coping skills and a better understanding of their own identity.

I am Board Certified in Adult Psychiatry and have been practicing since 2005. I completed my residency from Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts and my Fellowship in Addictions from the Robert Johnson Wood Foundation. In 2014, I was featured in SJ Magazine as one of New Jersey’s top psychiatrists. I have experience working with adults as well as adolescents suffering from both psychiatric diagnosis and substance use disorders and have extensive experience working in both out-patient and in-patient settings.

My ideal client would be a client who comes in ready to work on their treatment together through psychotherapy and, at times, medication management. I strive to allow the client to feel heard, spend time with the client to understand their symptoms, and provide good, competent care.

My ideal client is struggling with anxiety and/or depression and is seeking services to find balance.

I don't have an ideal client, except that they are open to change. I will see anyone who asks for help, but I expect they are or will be willing to change. I attempt to understand the patient as a whole, from birth to the present, from a medical, psychological, familial, and neurological perspective. I am focused on practical solutions and removing emotional blocks to making progress. I speak directly and am primarily concerned about the relationship with my patients. I am an avid advocate for my patients.

I am a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with years of experience treating teen/adolescents and their families. I focus on treating the whole individual with psychotherapy and medication when appropriate, and after careful assessment. The driving force behind my practice is to create a nurturing environment where kids can grow into healthy adults with learned coping skills and a better understanding of their own identity.

I am double board-certified in Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine. I believe in using both medication when indicated as well as therapy. I was trained in CBT and was given the Excellence in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy during my residency program. I use supportive therapy with each client I see. During my residency I served as Chief Resident and was awarded the Overall Excellence in Psychiatry Award as well as the Clinical Excellence Award.

There is no such thing as an "ideal client." Each individual is unique, and care will be tailored to fit patient needs.

Are you struggling with depressive, anxiety, and/or bipolar and related disorders? I strongly believe in meeting patients where they are in their individual journeys. The ideal client is the one who attends their initial evaluation to talk through their experience and potential treatment options. I approach patient care holistically and attempt to develop an understanding of the patient’s lived experience and current symptoms.

I treat adults with all mental health issue including depression, anxiety, stress, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, panic disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and others. I do so with empathy and listening to the needs and concerns of my patients. I specialize in perinatal/reproductive psychiatry which is the care of women and families trying to conceive, currently pregnant, or up to two years postpartum. With 15 years of experience, I am well-equipped to treat all mental health conditions.

My ideal client would be someone seeking mental health support with a genuine commitment to their well-being and personal growth. Here are some characteristics, issues, needs, and goals of this client: Openness to therapy, mental health challenges, emotional support, self-improvement, stress management, relationship enhancement, coping skills, reducing symptoms, medication management, holistic approach, and long-term well-being. My ideal client is motivated, committed to their mental well-being, and seeking to improve their overall quality of life and achieve personal growth and self-awareness.

My ideal client is committed to accomplishing personal goals through a collaborative relationship built on trust, accountability, and communication. The ideal client is driven to explore the root cause of issues, recognize the work required to promote psychological well-being, and utilize available resources. Clients present with issues from past experiences and current stressors that impact their personal, professional, and social lives. My ideal client is willing to gain a broader understanding of these issues, desire personal growth, and develop effective coping skills that will manifest in an improved quality of life.

Dr. Leopold Bolona is a compassionate psychiatrist in private practice in Westfield and Brick, and Freehold NJ seeing adults only at this time. The practice has 9 Nurse Practioners offering comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and individualized treatment for a variety of issues such as: Depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, addiction and more. 6 Therapist ready to assist all of our patients. The practice offers both in person and telehealth. All offices offer Genetic testing and Neuropsych testing. The Westfield and Freehold office also offers both TMS and Spravato for Treatment Resistant Depression.