Family Therapy in Downtown, Jersey City, NJ

We all want to feel confident, balanced and happy. The reality is we get stuck, frustrated, hurt, disappointed and sad...These periods of personal struggle can be an opportunity for growth and hope instead of continued hurt and personal crisis. Talking to a therapist offers an avenue to understand what is happening to you and your relationships (ie. with loved ones, friends, family, and of course yourself). It is an experience that can help you feel listened to, understood, and help you find solutions to improve how you feel and live.

When the burden of carrying trauma and stress becomes too much, people often feel like life is out of control. These periods of personal struggle can be an opportunity for growth and hope instead of continued hurt and personal crisis. Talking to a therapist offers an avenue to understand what is happening to you and your relationships (ie. with loved ones, friends, family, and of course yourself). It is an experience that can help you feel listened to, understood, and help you find solutions to improve how you feel and live.

Do you feel "stuck"? Do you just want someone to listen and help you process all the complex emotions you're feeling? The road to a happier, healthier life can be riddled with obstacles and barriers that just seem impossible to overcome, but with the right support, people of all ages can reach their goals. On this journey, you've done the hardest part which is recognizing the need for support and seeking it!

Are you ready to explore why you and/or your children / spouse / partner and family have been struggling to deal with life’s normal activities as well as new challenges and stressors? Do you struggle to fall asleep or wake-up each morning feeling anxious and overwhelmed? You have found a safe, friendly, and nonjudgmental environment where together we can start a journey together to identify the challenges and then develop goals that you want to achieve in order to decrease negative stressors in your life. A variety of therapeutic tools and resources will be used to help you achieve your goals and truly live the life of your dreams.

For years It has been my privilege to work with women of all ages navigating life transitions and hardships such as separations, troubled relationships (with a partner, family or friends, or one's body), navigating the roller coaster of motherhood, or experiencing a loss. Regardless of our experiences, beliefs, or social circumstances, we all fight the silent and lonely battles of not feeling we are enough. As women, we are often subjected to conflicting and competing expectations about love, sex, parenting, work, and relationships. In the face of such imposing outside opinions, it is essential to check in with yourself:

The human experience is filled with joy and challenges. Sometimes these challenges exceed our own capacity to cope effectively. My goal as a therapist is to lend the support needed for my clients to create meaningful, fulfilling lives while overcoming any challenges they face. I am passionate about helping individuals and families recognize and embrace their capacity to understand and to change their life experience. If you are in need of a supportive environment to weather an emotional storm, I am here to listen compassionately and provide a safe therapeutic space for all clients.

As a Mental Health Therapist and Wellness Coach, My sessions are designed to encourage transformation and provide growth opportunities. Through helping clients increase their self-awareness, developed through healthy thought patterns to address and eliminate reactive behaviors. This is achieved by exploring connections with self and the world to reduce a sense of isolation.

Handspring is a modern mental health clinic that provides personalized, evidence-based behavioral care for children, adolescents, and young adults. We currently serve children ages 10-18 and young adults ages 18-24 who are looking for treatment for anxiety, depression, or behavioral difficulties. Our therapeutic approaches include CBT, DBT, organizational skills training, behavior therapy, exposure & response prevention, and parent management training.

I bring over 20 years of experience to treating adults, teens, and children. I specialize in treating depression, anxiety, and behavior issues. When I work with adults, my focus is on understanding the factors that have led up to the current symptoms, and on understanding the person's strengths. By building on individual strengths, therapy can guide us back to our best selves.

Therapy is only as good as the relationship between therapist and client. I provide a space for the client to explore their vulnerabilities, hopes, challenges and meet them with unconditional positive regard, empathy, and an environment where growth can occur. The human experience is universal and yet it is as unique as each individual human. Culture, family background, and one’s own personal circumstances directly inform a client’s worldview. I work closely with those struggling to manage the stress of daily life and those experiencing challenges related to anxiety, depression, disordered eating, trauma, and relational challenges.

Janine Elliott takes a collaborative approach to building relationships with clients that empower them to thrive in their relationships, school/workplace, and community. She uses evidence-based treatments including CBT, DBT, ERP and HRT to help reframe unhelpful behaviors and thoughts, increase emotional regulation, and improve resiliency. Janine received her MSW from Rutgers with a focus in family systems and attachment theory. She has also trained extensively with pioneers in the field at the Beck Institute, UPenn Department of Psychiatry, Center for Treatment and Study of Anxiety, and Minuchin Center for the Family.

Life is a journey, and in an increasingly connected world our ability to find balance may prove to be challenging and increase emotional vulnerabilities. "Down time" becomes less and less due to the pressures of society or of our own negative tapes that we play . My main focus is to reconnect and build a therapeutic relationship in an environment where the individual can work on formulating positive communication, set realistic personal goals, identify patterns of behaviors, and work on resolving issues in the here and now.

On the fence about therapy? Ask for the first session free when you contact us, to see if it's right for you. IPG has around 30 therapists, with 400+ years combined experience, in 3 offices throughout NJ (Jersey City, Highland Park, Freehold). Since 1983 we've combined compassionate care with high-level expertise. We see individuals, couples, families, adults, children and adolescents, from every walk of life. Our large and diverse clinical staff means we cover practically every specialty, population, mental health issue, and form of treatment there is, and chances are we can accommodate your schedule, location, and other needs.

I would like to introduce myself, and offer you information about my practice and approach to therapy. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I have been working with adults, adolescents, couples, and families for over 25 years. I have expertise in areas concerning relationships, marriage/divorce, parenting, career, self esteem, loss, depression, anxiety, and living with chronic illness. My theoretical approaches include: Psychodynamic, Psychoanalytic, Cognitive/Behavioral, and Family Systems.

In my role as a Child and Family therapist, my dedication lies in fostering stronger bonds. Recognized as a top Children's NJ Doctor, I offer empathetic, evidence-backed therapy to assist individuals, couples, and families in tackling obstacles and enhancing communication. Through cultivating a secure space, individuals, couples, and families acquire skills to navigate conflicts and establish realistic expectations for personal and children's growth. My commitment is unwavering in aiding individuals, couples, and families to realize their aspirations and foster a nurturing environment conducive to each person's flourishing.

Notice an increase in anxiety, depression, and/or stress in recent years? Worried your anxiety has begun to affect self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, or overall enjoyment in life? Living with this is difficult and does not need to be managed alone. By offering a welcoming space and utilizing an individualized evidence-based approach I aim to help clients reach their personal goals. I utilize a strengths-based approach to empower clients to challenge negative self-talk, support emotional regulation, and develop healthy coping skills.

I specialize in working with children and their families and have over 15 years of experience. My areas of specialty include play therapy with a variety of social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties; ASD, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental disorders; trauma; and parent training. I am a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor and a Certified DIR/Floortime Practitioner. At my practice, Nurture Child Therapy, I provide a safe, accepting, and nurturing environment. I meet children where they are at and help them overcome challenges and grow, using the developmental and therapeutic powers of play and nurturing emotional connections.

In today's society, people are faced with multiple stressors and competing demands in their lives. If you are feeling overwhelmed at times, you are not alone. I have helped many people over the years to identify what their needs are. I can assist you in developing an array of coping skills, resources and creative expression, in order to experience a more fulfilling life. It is important for me to foster a sense of connection and develop a positive therapeutic relationship with each person individually and to maintain a safe environment in which personal awareness and growth can take place.

Strong foundations in the early years lead to healthier minds and consequently, happier families. As a trained physician and a licensed therapist, Sara combines behavioral medicine and developmental psychology in her unique therapeutic approach.