Play Therapy in Branchburg, NJ

Life is filled with many opportunities as well as challenges. My goal is to help children and adolescents recognize and seize those opportunities and overcome any challenges and obstacles that get in their way. By helping them create a positive mindset, build effective coping strategies, and expand their repertoire of problem-solving skills, they can live a healthy, satisfying, and successful social and academic life. The earlier these skills are cultivated within the child or adolescent, the greater the opportunities to practice and utilize them to their benefit.

I have worked with children and adults both online and in person. I have experience in play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, creating writing, music therapy, and the trauma narrative. My goal is to help you achieve your goals.

I offer appointments (8am - 8pm) in my new office space (and online)! Creating and clearing space to change unfamiliar and familiar stress is a really big part of therapeutic healing. These struggles often cause avoidance, overthinking, big emotions, or unhelpful habits and attitudes, which tend to cycle and leave you to feel unresolved. Becoming clear about struggles, then learning new ways to cope creates room for amazing change in your today; unraveling confusion, gaining clarity and moving toward to a more, meaningful, congruent and focused life. Individuals (child-adults), couples, and families are welcome!

During these uncertain times, feelings of worry, sadness, anger and loneliness are more common, but you are not alone and do not need to face these feelings in isolation. My goal is to support you as we work together in a safe, non-judgmental environment where you will find compassion, understanding and resolution. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist I have 20+ years of experience counseling children, adolescents, and adults specializing in anxiety, trauma, depression, stress, parent/child attachment, grief/loss, family issues, child play therapy and parent training for adoption/foster care.

Welcome! I specialize in helping 3- 8 year old's who excessively cry, worry a lot and/or have intense anger outbursts; Parents who want to reduce tantrums and their parent guilt; Young Adults (21+) who want to set better boundaries with others and Adult children who are concerned about an aging parent with cognitive issues like dementia. As a Play therapist and Social worker, with 10+ years of experience, I offer my clients a space where they can feel safe to open up about their inner thoughts and can build courage to face their fears.

CogniCare= Caring for your thoughts. Here at Cognicare we believe that caring for your mental health is imperative. Whether you're motivated and ready to work on a specific goal or introspective and curious about further exploring yourself, mental health therapy may be right for you. Our therapists are multiculturally competent and identity affirming. We are interested in helping you to navigate the complexities of life and it's impact on your overall functioning. Our practice may be right for you if: you identify as a minority/multiple minorities (female, race other than Caucasian, member of the LGBTQ+ community, etc.), if you are struggling with your sexual orientation or gender identity or just want to further unpack in this area, if you are a parent of a child who identifies with the LGBTQ+ community, if you are a parent in general, couples (including LGBTQ+ couples and non-conventional relationships), if you are struggling to afford mental health care, and/or if you are just someone who would like to prioritize their mental health.

Has your once energetic and happy child moved into a state of anxiety or sadness? It’s painful watching your child struggle. Of course you want to help them, but you’re not quite sure how. You may have noticed them being more clingy, throwing more tantrums, or having trouble sleeping. These changes in your child seem to be worsening and now it’s reached a point where you may need additional help. Conflicting parenting advice from others leaves you feeling at a loss. While this feels overwhelming and draining for both you and your child, know that change is possible.

Are defensiveness and resentment growing in your relationship? Even the shortest exchange triggers an argument. Unsaid expectations turn into accusations. “Who are you texting?” “Why didn’t you do the dishes?” “What’s wrong this time?” Perhaps you feel like you give everything to the relationship and get little to nothing in return. You love your partner but wonder why it seems so hard to be happy. These struggles are more common than you think. Past relationships, family wounds, and unresolved trauma get in the way of couples having a healthy and happy relationship. Are you ready to find a path forward?

You may be feeling stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, sad, unmotivated. Your relationship with your partner or your child feels like it's falling apart. Fear, addiction, disordered eating, insomnia, illness, or clutter is standing in the way of you leading the life you desire. You, or perhaps your child, is struggling with gender identity issues. Maybe you are a highly sensitive person and need a therapist with whom you can connect. We can work on helpful strategies to get you living a happier, healthier, and more satisfying life.

Experience tranquility and contentment after our sessions. I am dedicated to enhancing your happiness and fulfillment in life by drawing upon a diverse blend of personal, educational, and professional expertise. As your holistically centered therapist, I leverage a variety of theories and clinical approaches to tailor a customized treatment plan that swiftly addresses a multitude of issues, ensuring your rapid healing and growth.

The journey of life can be difficult. You don’t have to travel through the difficulties alone. I have developed a nonjudgmental safe place with programs that promote healing and hope. For more than 25 years these programs have helped with Marriage, Communication, Addiction, and Abuse, We will work together to identify needs and work towards having those needs met. I welcome the opportunity to help you find solutions. If you are not interested in Faith based Counseling please let me know, and I will help you reach your goals.