Culturally Sensitive Therapists in Mountain Lakes, NJ

I am a licensed clinical social worker with a focus on adults and young adults seeking individual counseling. My work experience is around women's issues, domestic violence, financial abuse, diagnostics, anxiety, and depression, along with case managment in exploring all treatment and resource options.

If you are suffering with anxiety and/or depression, or anger issues, you know the pain and distress they can cause in our daily lives. What we overlook is the important scientific understanding that many of these problems are also partly the result of chronic stress, that has affected our brains and minds at some point in our physiological and psychological development, and the various coping styles we have developed to survive within that stressful environment. Scientific studies have shown that these 'coping habits' we developed, can be changed with awareness and training of the workings of our minds.

I am a licensed psychologist with more than 20 years of experience in the field of psychology and over 10 years of experience in private practice. I hold a BA from Rutgers University in psychology and women’s studies (2000); an MA in clinical and counseling psychology from Columbia University (2002); and a Doctor of Psychology degree from the American School of Professional Psychology—Washington, DC Campus (2008). I trained in counseling at Montclair State University and neuropsychology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. I completed my doctoral internship at McGill University Health Centre- Montreal General Hospital site.

You've lived with fear, emotional pain, and/or loss for a long time. Maybe it feels like all of your life. Maybe this is a relatively new experience. You may have heard hurtful things like "suck it up", or "deal with it" almost as if this is all your fault or you can cope with this all by yourself. It's not, and you don't have to! It doesn't have to feel this way. I would like to help you find the way to make things better. To feel better! Talking to the right therapist can help you not only feel better but ultimately become the best version of you that you can be.

Sometimes talking to a friend or family member is not enough; you need a professional who can be unbiased and support you through a difficult time. Thoughts and feelings can be overwhelming and they become even more powerful when they’re bottled up inside. I provide a safe, confidential, empathic space to listen. When you express your thoughts and feelings openly to me, I listen non-judgmentally and help you sort through life’s challenges. Together, we will tackle your issues and free you up for growth, more confidence, and self-awareness. I create an individualized treatment experience that's just as unique as you are.

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." - Lao Tzu

Dr. Benanti's background includes two Masters Degrees and a Doctorate from Columbia University where he taught in the graduate division. Our Master Level Life Coaches are all Nationally Certified and each received over 250 hours of advanced training directly from Dr. Benanti. We work with adults and couples who want to experience less everyday stress and far more of the personal fulfillment that is available in each of our own unique lives.

Life is very much like driving a car. We can't only focus on the destination, and we can't stare into the rearview mirror. Either of these actions would cause an accident, and most certainly distract us from our main goal - keeping our eyes on the road! In my practice, I take on the GPS role. The driver and the GPS are a team. This is where therapy is so helpful. The relationship between the client and the therapist is a most powerful one, involving trust and collaboration, whereby the client feels safe and supported.

No two individuals are the same & that is how I approach treatment. I make therapy fit your needs by drawing upon a variety of clinical frameworks to provide patient focused care. Therapy is about you & we focus on addressing what you want to heal. Working together, we build upon your strengths and help develop coping skills and support while working towards your goals. I have 2 decades of experience & I am trained to address many concerns. I see adults, adolescents & couples.

Welcome to the Motivational Counseling Center of New Jersey. Our office specializes in working with you to improve your overall mental health and wellbeing. We work closely with our clients to build their motivation, self efficacy and resilience needed to set and work towards goals. Our philosophy is that enhancing meaning and personal empowerment is just as important as treatment of mental illness. It is believed that therapy can be used to not only help reduce your symptoms but grant you improved ability to identify your values, reduce ambivalence towards making needed changes in order to achieve what is most important to you.

Mental health is just as important as your physical health. Taking care of you and your family’s overall mental health and well-being is of utmost importance to me. Imagine recognizing your strengths and weaknesses, and gaining a better understanding of how to manage things. Imagine what it would feel like to have a different approach to dealing with issues that would bring a more positive or successful outcome. No matter what you’re dealing with, there is always hope and alternatives.

Are you looking to learn more about the grieving process? Or would you like help in navigating the magnitude of emotions? Perhaps you’re looking to connect with others who might get what you’re experiencing – helping you to feel less alone? Whether it's working through strong and/or unfamiliar emotions, wanting to connect with others or just not wanting to do this grief thing alone, Daylight Grief can help. We work with those who have experienced sudden, traumatic and expected losses.

I am honored that my clients share their deepest secrets with me every day. I am grateful for the trust they place in me and I value their need for confidentiality. I make an effort to listen to my clients and hear what they say to learn what they need to grow. Every client is a person who is much greater than their problem behavior or diagnosis. While I have extensive training in treating trauma and sexual behavior problems, I also have experience and training in treating other mental health problems such as: Depression, Anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Panic Disorder, ADHD, and chemical as well as process addictions.

You have tried everything you could to feel better, but you’ve reached the point where you need some extra help. The anxiety, depression, and/or trauma that are weighing on you daily has started to impact your job or school performance and relationships. You are feeling burnt out. Therapy may be new to you and it’s common to feel nervous about starting the process. We can work together and create a plan to help you manage and decrease stress. I will teach you healthy skills to use for coping, communication, reframing thoughts, and changing behaviors. I can help you feel empowered so that you are more in control of your life.

In my 30 years as a psychotherapist, my primary focus has always been on the therapeutic relationship. Our work together will help you to find inner strengths and resources. In a comfortable and supportive atmosphere, you will recognize new ways of thinking and being that will help you to achieve your life goals. There is a uniqueness to each individual's personality and life experiences that connects us to the unique sense of who we are and how we can learn to cope and grow during stressful times.