Photo of Music Therapy Montclair (Christopher Mills, MT-BC) in 07042, NJ
Music Therapy Montclair (Christopher Mills, MT-BC)
MA, MT-BC
Verified Verified
Montclair, NJ 07042
At Music Therapy Montclair we specialize in mental health services for all ages, providing evidence-based creative arts interventions for individuals dealing with anxiety or depression, seeking alternatives to more traditional therapies, or in need of additional support. Our services also include therapies for medically complex children, adults and infants, individuals with chronic pain, bereaved children and adults, individuals with developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder or other sensory or communicative challenges, and expectant and new families in need of maternal or perinatal bonding and wellness support.
At Music Therapy Montclair we specialize in mental health services for all ages, providing evidence-based creative arts interventions for individuals dealing with anxiety or depression, seeking alternatives to more traditional therapies, or in need of additional support. Our services also include therapies for medically complex children, adults and infants, individuals with chronic pain, bereaved children and adults, individuals with developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder or other sensory or communicative challenges, and expectant and new families in need of maternal or perinatal bonding and wellness support.
(973) 878-0854 View (973) 878-0854
Photo of Ann Rasmussen, Psychologist in 07042, NJ
Ann Rasmussen
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Montclair, NJ 07042
I will skillfully help you navigate the greatest struggles of your life, and emerge empowered to move beyond whatever patterns are holding you back. Whether it's external pain (trauma, betrayal, death, illness) or internal (anxiety, depression, shame, self-sabotage), I approach all with compassionate accepting care. I am not passively silent- I will endow you with self-empowering techniques, while also coaxing forth your best inner resources. I am LGBTQ affirming. We will create an open, authentic bond through which you can access and honor your own truths, and emerge confident, self-aligned, resourced, and relieved of symptoms.
I will skillfully help you navigate the greatest struggles of your life, and emerge empowered to move beyond whatever patterns are holding you back. Whether it's external pain (trauma, betrayal, death, illness) or internal (anxiety, depression, shame, self-sabotage), I approach all with compassionate accepting care. I am not passively silent- I will endow you with self-empowering techniques, while also coaxing forth your best inner resources. I am LGBTQ affirming. We will create an open, authentic bond through which you can access and honor your own truths, and emerge confident, self-aligned, resourced, and relieved of symptoms.
(973) 988-1540 View (973) 988-1540
Photo of Kenneth Silvestri, Marriage & Family Therapist in 07042, NJ
Kenneth Silvestri
Marriage & Family Therapist, EdD, CCH
Verified Verified
4 Endorsed
Montclair, NJ 07042
I begin the collaboration with each person seeking my professional counsel by asking, "What is it you're not getting in your life that causes you pain?" Together, we explore the resources that will allow them to heal, change and grow. During the 30 years I have practiced psychotherapy, from a systemic or holistic perspective, I have assisted individuals, parents, couples, adolescents and caregivers to see and experience their lives differently.
I begin the collaboration with each person seeking my professional counsel by asking, "What is it you're not getting in your life that causes you pain?" Together, we explore the resources that will allow them to heal, change and grow. During the 30 years I have practiced psychotherapy, from a systemic or holistic perspective, I have assisted individuals, parents, couples, adolescents and caregivers to see and experience their lives differently.
(973) 928-8552 View (973) 928-8552
Photo of Sharon J Freedman, Psychologist in 07042, NJ
Sharon J Freedman
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
Montclair, NJ 07042
I believe we all have an innate orientation toward health, growth, and the expression of our full potential. We may experience, however, blocks in the form of thinking, feeling, and/or bodily symptoms that cause significant distress, interfering with our ability to function optimally and to access our resources and our more complete selves. This may manifest itself in the form of overwhelming feelings such as depression, anxiety, and/or rage; disordered eating and body image; flashbacks and/or other symptoms of unprocessed traumatic experiences; or other signs that we have lost touch with the fullness of who we are.
I believe we all have an innate orientation toward health, growth, and the expression of our full potential. We may experience, however, blocks in the form of thinking, feeling, and/or bodily symptoms that cause significant distress, interfering with our ability to function optimally and to access our resources and our more complete selves. This may manifest itself in the form of overwhelming feelings such as depression, anxiety, and/or rage; disordered eating and body image; flashbacks and/or other symptoms of unprocessed traumatic experiences; or other signs that we have lost touch with the fullness of who we are.
(862) 290-3892 View (862) 290-3892
Photo of Jennifer L Todd, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in 07042, NJ
Jennifer L Todd
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, ACHT
Verified Verified
4 Endorsed
Montclair, NJ 07042  (Online Only)
I work together with my clients to create a space of warmth and safety, so you feel free to fully express all aspects of yourself as we journey together toward whole person transformation. Fully present and with compassion, I hold the space for you to do your work. I trust that deep within you, there is a pull toward wholeness and that you do know what you need to find that completeness. Our work together will be truly empowering and healing.
I work together with my clients to create a space of warmth and safety, so you feel free to fully express all aspects of yourself as we journey together toward whole person transformation. Fully present and with compassion, I hold the space for you to do your work. I trust that deep within you, there is a pull toward wholeness and that you do know what you need to find that completeness. Our work together will be truly empowering and healing.
(973) 671-8032 View (973) 671-8032
Chronic Pain Therapists

How does chronic pain therapy work?

Engaging with a psychotherapist to help treat chronic pain does not mean that one’s pain is all in their head. Therapy for chronic-pain patients has been shown to benefit both the mind and the body, targeting physical symptoms and increasing daily functioning. In other words, for many, addressing their emotional health through therapy affects their physical health. A therapist can help a client challenge unhelpful thoughts about pain and develop new ways to respond to it, such as distraction or calming breathing techniques. Studies have found that therapy can be as effective as surgery for certain cases of chronic pain and many doctors recommend trying psychotherapy in advance of considering invasive surgery.

What are the most effective treatment options for chronic pain?

Stress, anxiety, depression, catastrophizing, ruminating, lack of activity, and social withdrawal all make chronic pain worse. Addressing these issues, research shows, can help people gain control over their pain symptoms. Therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback, and mindfulness-based stress reduction, along with greater pain-management education, have been found to help people reduce fear and disability.

Are there new treatments for chronic pain?

Many cases of chronic pain, particularly those involving back pain, remain medically unexplained. But there is evidence that changes in the brain or nervous system are caused by previous physical ailments such as tissue damage; in such cases, the brain may continue to send out pain signals despite the physical cause having healed. To aid patients under these circumstances, a recently developed treatment known as pain reprocessing therapy (PRT) is designed to help the brain “unlearn” this response. A PRT practitioner helps individuals to reduce the “threat value” of their ongoing pain signals until they can reappraise them as less threatening and fear-inducing. They also help an individual to develop new emotional regulation skills.

How long does therapy for chronic pain take?

There is no set timeline for recovery from chronic pain, especially as there may be a range of physical and psychological causes for any individual’s discomfort, but most patients should expect to see a therapist for a number of weeks or months, typically spanning at least 12 sessions. Studies of pain reprocessing therapy found that many individuals’ experience of pain lessened in eight sessions over four weeks.