Therapists in New Jersey

I’m Alexa Gelfand, a licensed social worker. I earned my Masters in Social Work from Rutgers University and have years of experience providing psychotherapy to adolescents and adults facing various challenges in life, such as anxiety, depression, grief, PTSD, addiction-related issues, sexual assault survivors, LGBTQ+ related issues, and as well as working with couples and families. I use a warm, collaborative approach in my work to identify and implement treatment goals that support you in making impactful, positive change in your life.

Whether you seek individual, couples or family therapy I believe the challenges and struggles we face can be a doorway toward personal growth and the peace of mind that accompanies a deeper understanding of ourselves and others. I offer a client centered approach to treatment with a focus on client strengths and our innate ability as human beings to heal, connect and find wholeness. Whether you are looking for support with a current issue, wish to work through experiences of the past, or you are feeling stuck and seek more meaning and purpose, we will work together through an integrative approach to assist you in meeting your goals.

I enjoy working with individuals seeking to find their voice as well as work through their experiences. I believe it is important for me to create a safe, judgment-free space for people to share their story. People should be able to process anything that may be impacting them or their relationships such as life transitions or trauma. My ideal client is someone willing to show up for themselves, everyone deserves a space to be heard. I have worked in non-profit for a few years and have experience with most topics.

Asking for help can be difficult and discussing personal information can be intimidating. Maintaining healthy relationships and boundaries can often be complicated. While we can't change difficult situations my goal as a therapist is to help you navigate life's challenges in order to achieve and maintain healthy and balanced outcomes. My predominant focus is with couples, families and individuals.

I am a dual licensed clinical social worker and licensed clinical addiction and drug counselor (LCSW and LCADC) with experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families in various care level and treatment environments. I strongly believe in the potential of the mind, body and spirit that empower each person to regain a balanced life, healthier relationship with others and the world. I am passionate in encouraging and empowering clients to learn and grow using various approaches meeting the unique needs of each client to resolve their issues.

Maybe you struggle with depression, anxiety, feelings of unhappiness or unfulfillment. Sometimes life’s adversities take the best of us, and leave us lost, feeling numb or trapped in a cycle of self sabotaging behaviors that perpetuate our suffering. Whether it is the sudden rupture of a relationship, abuse, a traumatic loss, a divorce, abandonment, or work related stressors, I view these experiences as opportunities to grow into a better version of the self. I commend you for being brave and contemplating the thought of a better present, leaving past hurt behind, and embracing healing with therapy.

It has been my professional privilege over the last 25 years to provide counseling to married couples, families and individuals who were struggling with various relationship challenges, personal crisis and family conflicts. I have also had to opportunity to provide extensive one on one personal counseling to many individuals who were struggling with depression, general anxiety, grief, anger issues, abusive relationships, sexual assault, and personal trauma. Many of these clients were wonderfully helped, healed, given new hope and were taught new relationship survival and coping skills that they are now able to use to enhance their relationships and personal lives.

Maxine has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in individual and group settings. She specializes in working with individuals who struggle with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma, relationship issues, and stress management. Maxine has specialized training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectic Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-focused treatment, and Structural Family Therapy.

I am a licensed social worker with over 15 years of experience in the field, including 5 years focused on clinical counseling. I hold a degree from Rutgers University School of Social Work and I specialize in working with adults (18+), and couples. I work with clients who are experiencing anxiety and depression, or who are looking to explore and manage topics like trauma, anger management, career issues, academic challenges, family stressors, or relationships and dating. I work to create a supportive, welcoming environment for us to explore your goals and collaboratively help you achieve better life outcomes.

I'm Dinelle Polchinski and I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor in NJ. I am trained in individual, couples, and structural family therapy. I have extensive experience working with depression, anxiety, severe and persistent mental illness, grief and trauma focused therapy. While my style can be described as eclectic, my sessions with individuals are primarily person-centered, interpersonal and supportive. I incorporate techniques from Motivational Interviewing, CBT, DBT, mindfulness and self-compassion. I am trained in grief support, trauma therapy and I'm a certified ADHD professional.

I can, I'm capable, I have the capacity. My goal is to help you recognize these truths and use your strengths to improve your ability to cope with the difficulties you are going through. I view therapy as a collaborative process. Through our relationship, I will learn about your strengths and challenges and help bring you an awareness of both. We will also work on reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression or other roadblocks that are hurting your relationships or preventing you from achieving the things you aspire to. I'm interested in helping you challenge your negative assumptions and/or limitations about yourself.

How do we make sense of our stuff? This is a critical question. Life can be challenging and sometimes we can’t understand what we are experiencing and why. Much of our ability to overcome adversity originates from our mindset- how we process our experiences. It is the lens through which we view our reality. Essentially, what contributes to our overall well-being is not necessarily the absence of setbacks but rather how we respond to these experiences. I work with my clients to help them shift their mindset and to find meaning in all of life’s experiences.

Families are a good source of strength but they can also get stuck in unproductive patterns of behavior and interaction which are challenging to change. I help families break these difficult cycles by working with them to identify goals and establish plans and milestones to achieve them. I apply over 25 years of experience as I empower struggling individuals, couples, and families facing marital issues, divorce, anxiety, depression, and children/adolescents with self-destructive behaviors or ADD/ADHD as well as many other mental health issues. I also specialize in working with diagnoses of oppositional defiant and conduct disorders.

As a LAMFT my goal is to help couples who are struggling; and to help couples find enjoyment in the blessings of marriage. I currently work with individuals, couples, & families who are struggling with trying to repair damaged relationships, improve communication & affection; and make sense of past trauma. Through my work as a priest, I have been blessed to have helped many individuals & couples have happier, healthier relationships. Being able to be a part of healing relationships has been one of my life’s greatest joys! If you would like to build a life, marriage & family that is thriving, you can count on me!

For therapy practice scope, please also visit www.therapychangeslives.com Areas of Expertise - Individual: depression or anxiety, relationship or family conflict/concerns, sexual identity/orientation integrating Cognitive, Feminist & Affirmative Therapy. Couples/Relationships: co-parenting strategies for recovery/repair from infidelity, intimacy issues or health/aging concerns integrating Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) & Gottman strategies. Family Therapy: addressing conflict, cut-offs, child's suicidal/self injurious behaviors, blended families/parenting integrating Structural Family Therapy & Narrative Therapy.

If you’re feeling burned out, overwhelmed with parenting challenges, dealing with grief or loss, or seeking healing from longer term trauma, we’ll work together on your path to wellbeing. My practice is grounded in a traditional talk therapy approach that provides you the space, guidance and support to explore areas of your life that promote introspection and healing. I pride myself on helping my clients gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their thoughts and behaviors. I’m trained in Psychodynamic psychotherapy, Structural Family Therapy, TF-CBT and am a Psychoanalytic post-graduate candidate.

Are you having a crisis of self-confidence? Low self-esteem and stress are impacting your everyday life. The relationship you have with yourself is at an all-time low. You notice that your relationships with others have changed, too. You want to feel better about yourself, but you don’t know where to start. Life’s stressors can bring you down, causing you to constantly question yourself.

"When there are no enemies within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you". ~ancient African proverb~ So many suffer everyday in silence because of their own negative inner voice. Whether you are struggling due to anxiety, depression, trauma, family conflict, loss, or for any other reason, know that you do not have to suffer forever and that change is possible. I work with children, adolescents, adults and families helping each to bring their strengths into focus and harmony back into their family lives.

I handle a variety of issues and life stressors including: relationship issues, self esteem, LGBTQ+ population, anxiety, depression, personal growth, PTSD, and domestic violence. Believing in the mind-body-spirit connection to achieve overall wellness, I carry my passionate beliefs about natural healing into my therapy style.