Psychoanalytic Therapists in Bernardsville, NJ

Everyone who comes to therapy does so for their own unique reasons — perhaps stressors have become overwhelming, relationships difficult to manage, or symptoms too much to ignore. Therapy should be an authentic conversation aimed at understanding whatever it is in your life that you find challenging. I pair a warm and practical approach with psychodynamic technique to address both current issues and their roots.

I work with adults and couples dealing with depression, anxiety, medical problems, losses, work-related issues, affairs, anger, intimacy issues, low self esteem, communication and other relationship problems. I know how hard it is to make that first phone call and open up to a complete stranger, but what most people experience in my office with me from the start is warmth, interest, understanding and hope. I have 30+ years of experience and extensive post-graduate training. The therapy relationship is key to a comfortable, caring and safe place that fosters insight, growth and change.

Emotional health is just as important as your physical health. Your emotional health matters and these steps take courage. I have 20 years of experience in the mental health and addiction counseling field. I have worked with all types of populations from children to adolescents, to adults in various settings. My approach to counseling combines behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, trauma-focused, and psychoanalytic therapies. My work also includes inner child healing, working towards self-compassion, self-love and self-acceptance.

I work with adults, including students, artists, immigrants, and people from the LGBTQ community. I am good at getting attuned to all parts of my patients. Together we can work on helping you gain a greater awareness of your inner life, including your energy, thoughts, feelings, conflicts, and your core beliefs about yourself and others. I want to help you challenge and change your unhelpful and self-sabotaging ways of thinking and behaving that tend to originate in the past and that can keep you stuck in the past and to replace them with healthier and more appropriate alternatives.

A positive relationship with a therapist involves trust and a feeling of being understood. I work with individuals, families and couples. My specialties include adults, children, play therapy, adolescents, divorce, occupational difficulties, anxiety, depression, loss, self-esteem, relationships. I help my clients to better understand themselves, their life situations and their relationships. It is through this understanding and caring where growth and change can occur. The goal for our work together is for clients to develop their unique strengths, make good choices for themselves and move towards living a more fulfilling life.

The best psychotherapy builds upon a solid relationship between a client and therapist, allowing the client to take risks in examining themselves, acknowledge their strengths and weaknesses, process painful memories and use their strengths to create change. In my therapeutic work I focus on nurturing that relationship to facilitate my client's change and self-acceptance. I am well trained in psychoanalysis, psychoanalytic therapy and family/couples therapy as well as cognitive-behavioral and short term therapy techniques and use what my clients and I believe will best facilitate their goals in treatment.

Are you pregnant, ready to enjoy the 'pregnancy glow,' or a new mom, hoping to 'enjoy this stage while it lasts?' Yet inside, you feel alone, in need of support. You are not sure if you ate lunch today, cannot recall the last time you had a decent night's sleep, and are in constant worry. Perhaps you are concerned about your baby's health, have undesirable thoughts popping up, or feel detached and alone. You have a strong desire to speak to someone and find support, but the idea of finding someone who you are comfortable with appears daunting and far too exhausting.

We’re pleased you’ve made your first step towards healing. We understand that seeking help, whether for yourself or for your children isn’t always easy. Unfortunately, life doesn’t come with a user’s manual, and when times get tough, many of us are left feeling confused, angry, depressed and helpless. While we can’t provide you with a magical user’s manual to life, we can offer you an ancient symbol of peace, an olive branch. We want to help you extend that olive branch to not only the important relationships in your life but to yourself as well. Because at the end of the day, we all deserve inner peace.

I specialize in working with children and young adults struggling with mental health issues such as anxiety, behavioral disorders, ADHD, Mood Disorders, Trichotillomania, OCD, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Depression. I have extensive clinical experience with a variety of ages from preschool through adulthood. I bring a unique perspective to my practice as I am a Licensed Psychologist (#4865), a Certified School Psychologist, and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. I use a hands-on practical approach to helping children and their families which includes collaboration with all professionals.

I am a psychologist in practice for 30 years.I have a diverse clinical practice working with adults, adolescents, couples and families.I am an experienced psychotherapist with expertise in psychodynamic, cognitive, gestalt, existential approaches. This allows me to tailor my counseling to the specific needs of each person. I was trained to treat TMS by world renowned Dr. John Sarno and Dr. Arlene Feinblatt at NYU Medical Center/The Rusk Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine. I counsel people with anxiety, psychophysical pain/TMS, depression, stress and trauma. I help with discovering or re-discovering their inner needs and with bringing those needs to fruition.

Hello, Let me introduce myself. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), as well as licensed School Psychologist here in New Jersey and in Montana. My path in life has pass through several different careers; I was a New York City school teacher, New Jersey School Psychologist, and currently working as a psychotherapist. Although trained to treat a variety of disorders, my passion lies in treating individuals who have suffered trauma and attachment based issues. I am trained in EMDR and hypnosis, as well as DBT. In all my experience I have learned that it is truly the relationship between therapist and client that matters most.

Hi, and welcome! My name is Michelle Bivas, MSW, LSW and I'm so happy to have you here! I have a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in social work, both from Rutgers University. My educational areas of concentration include women's and gender studies, sexuality studies, trauma, mental health, and behavioral health. I have direct experience helping clients with a wide range of issues including trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship and work issues, self-esteem, identity work, and much more. I work with clients in a dynamic manner that allows for life's little moments to hold as much importance as the big ones.

The ideal client is anyone who is ready to talk. Just by starting the search for a therapist is setting off on the right foot. My goal is to work with you, build a healthy working relationship, establish your goals and work towards them together. You are not in this alone!