Therapists in Caldwell, NJ

No one is immune from the pressures and stressors of everyday life. Whether it’s navigating work or school, the dynamics of family, the ups and downs of friendship, quieting the noise of anxiety or wrestling free from the pull of depression, I create and provide you the space and support you need to get to know yourself better. I help each of my clients expand their level of self-awareness to make positive changes in their lives. I specialize in treating ADHD, depression, anxiety, and life transitions. My goal is to provide a safe and nurturing environment in which clients can openly express their emotional needs and find solutions.

Thank you for taking the time to explore my profile! My name is Marisa Giuliani-O'Keefe and my specialty is Marriage and Family Therapy. I practice a system's focused form of therapy that explores both current situational issues, as well as, generational family patterns. I see couples both married and dating, as well as, individuals who are single or single again. I see children in conjunction with their parents to help support the family structure. The best way to get a sense of how I work is to check out my instagram @loveaccordingtomarisa and my site www.marisagiulianiokeefe.com

For both newcomers and those who’ve had counseling in the past, I am here to support you in this process. In our work together, you will find empathy and genuine non-judgment, respect for your worldview and culture, and the value of your collaboration. I instill advocacy and will help you to access other resources. I bring experience, continued education, and sincere dedication to our work. I wholeheartedly believe that every challenge in life presents opportunities to recognize existing strengths and discover new ones. I am committed to supporting your goals, your overcoming obstacles, and reclaiming expertise over your own life.

Starting therapy can feel daunting, and my goal is to provide a safe and comfortable space in which to begin the process. My clients tend to be introspective people with loud inner critics who seek relief from anxiety, shame and relational trauma. Many are helpers and artists who place great value on how they show up in the world but struggle internally with low self-esteem, maintaining boundaries and making decisions. Using a collaborative, curious and nonjudgmental approach, I assist my clients in clarifying their values and goals, resolving ambivalence and building deeper connections.

Consider the messages you learned from your family growing up, and how those life lessons found their way into the way you view the world. How do they inform the way you see yourself? What is their impact on how you connect to others in relationships? In our work together we uncover deeply held beliefs about others and the world that may be causing us to repeat unhelpful patterns of behavior. Repeating these patterns can cause us to feel a myriad of negative feelings- confusion, frustration and loneliness. I aim to create a warm, empathic and caring relationship that allows you to feel heard and understood.

As a psychotherapist who has been practicing therapy for over 25 years, I understand the importance of establishing a trusting, confidential space for all of my clients. There are many reasons that might draw a person to counseling, from experiencing a significant loss and coping with debilitating anxiety or depression, to dealing with difficult relationship issues, or feeling overwhelmed by the demands of family, work, or school. My goal is to provide a caring and non-judgmental presence as we work together to tackle the difficult concerns that are interfering in your life.

My greatest strength is my ability to create a non-judgmental, supportive, trusting relationship. Together, we will explore why you have chosen to come to therapy and we will find the approach that best meets your needs. You will gain the insight to break dysfunctional patterns of behavior and interaction in your day to day relationships. I will help you to better regulate your emotions and to cope with stressful situations. We will focus on your strengths as well as your challenges as you learn the skills needed to become the person you were meant to be.

Do you find yourself feeling worried regarding your family, relationship or work? Are you concerned about your child's behavior or your relationship with them? Many of my clients have considerable insight into their situation, but most find it difficult to change unproductive behavioral patterns or just "make" themselves feel better. I believe that change begins with knowing that no one is perfect...that every once in awhile we can all benefit from someone who will listen and guide us through our personal journeys.

Active listening, giving clients a lot of feedback and always focusing on the client's goals are hallmarks of my work. I am a licensed clinical social worker with over 30 years of experience in individual, marital and family therapy. I was originally trained as a family therapist but have expanded over the years to other techniques-especially cognitive behavioral therapy. I have strong professional connections with psychiatrists if an evaluation for medication is necessary. My professional style is interactive, supportive and direct. I have a general practice with areas of specialty in depression, anxiety, eating disorders and grief work.

Welcome to Resilience DBT & Eating Recovery! Our practice offers comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and treatment for the full range of Eating Disorders for children, adolescents, and adults. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor who is part of a team offering support and guidance to individuals and families seeking expert intervention in a safe and supportive environment. As a DBT and certified CBT-E practitioner, I believe in utilizing evidence-based practices to achieve success and meet identified goals. I am committed to to help you return on a path of full health and healing in a safe and comfortable setting.

I view counseling as an opportunity to come alongside my clients and partner with them as they journey toward discovering a life of meaning and purpose. Through empathy, humor, and warmth, I aim to create and hold a safe space for my clients to begin the journey inward. My biggest joy is walking alongside my clients as they begin to realize their strength and resilience to find solutions to the issues they are facing.

Are you struggling with depression, anxiety, ADHD, life transition? I believe that therapy can be transformative. Seeking therapy is an incredibly brave action to take, and I am here to actively and empathically listen to you without judgment, help you make sense of difficulties, and work through them by taking big issues and making them more manageable. I seek to help you find strength and empowerment through expressing and understanding your life's unique narrative, and together, through the therapeutic process, we will work to help you lessen life's stress, grow as a thinking, feeling individual, and thrive in your relationships.

Are you a woman who grew up in a challenging or even unsafe family environment? Do you struggle with self-judgement, self-doubt, or self-sabotage? Do you find yourself confused in personal/professional relationships? If so, you may believe your difficulties are your own fault, and that if only you could be better or stronger, things would be easier. In truth, you may be dealing with unhealed trauma. Unsteady attachment to one or both parents can be the unrecognized source of a lot of adult suffering, Understanding its impact and learning to care for yourself instead of judging yourself is the path to freedom.

I believe that we all have the ability to grow and change into who we want to become. At times, life and painful past experiences can impede us from becoming the best version of ourselves. I believe that therapy should take into considerations the needs of the client and that there is no “one size fits all” approach to therapy. Given the proper time and guidance, healing and change can happen.

Whether you're dealing with stressors from work, a recent breakup, peer/parental conflicts, or anxiety from your busy schedule. Maybe you're feeling extremely anxious and have a tough time prioritizing your schedule which is causing tension in other areas of your life. Perhaps, you're a teen girl who is experiencing challenges in managing your emotions and in need of a safe space to process your thoughts and feelings.

I strongly feel that healing can take place only in the context of a relationship in which someone experiences safety, compassion and understanding. It is through this process that people can awaken in themselves the possibilities for growth and transformation, often hidden by the negative effects of trauma, depression, anxiety, anger and loss. In my treatment approach, I communicate to my patients that they are not alone in their suffering, that they have the strength to tolerate the uncertainties of life, and they do have choices even if they feel stuck and alone.

As a licensed clinical social worker, I strive to create a comfortable and safe environment for you.  A space that is judgement free and where you have the ability to truly express yourself.
 Since opening my practice in 2018, my therapeutic services have helped people get through stressful times through challenging negative thoughts and understanding the source of specific behaviors and emotional patterns. With the right tools and a better approach to situations, I will help encourage a better outlook on any issues that life brings your way.

Here we go again. Your teenager's mood is foul and you have no idea why. You've heard, "Oh wait until the teenage years," but didn't realize how tough this would be. There must be a way to help, but it seems like nothing gets them out of their funk. It's hard to watch your child seem so unmotivated, sad, anxious, and irritated. And heaven forbid you'd ask them to complete even the simplest of tasks, which results in a groan like you're telling them to build a house from the ground up. But the worst is when they blame you for it all. If you're giving your teen everything they could ever want, what do they have to be so sad about?

I believe the creative process, inherent in everyone, can be used as a meaningful tool to help individuals develop personal insight and self- awareness. My clients are guided and supported to use art materials and the creative process to develop symbols and metaphors in their resulting art work which produces the vehicle for expression and communication. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness are also used in treatment.