Psychodynamic Therapists in Highland Park, NJ

I work with people who want more satisfaction in their lives,as it relates to transitions in the areas of relationships, career, education and family life cycle. People who are open to learning and healing themselves in the pursuit of growth and balance. I collaborate with individuals and their families to help them with mental, emotional and behavioral challenges such as anxiety, depression, relational conflicts and more. As an experienced psychotherapist, I will work with you to develop tools and skills to face expected and unexpected challenges, overcome limiting patterns of belief and facilitate your personal empowerment.

C.G. Jung stated, "In many cases in therapy the patient who has come to us has a story that is not told, and which as a rule no one knows of. To my mind, therapy only really begins after the investigation of that wholly personal story. It is the patient's secret, the rock against which s/he is shattered." My practice involves creating a client/therapist relationship and environment where this wholly personal story can be explored and brought to consciousness. I work to create a safe, accepting, nonjudgmental, and collaborative space that will bring wholeness and meaning to the suffering that every human experiences.

Everyone encounters problems which have the potential to negatively impact our sense of relational, mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. Often, I work with people who have adopted patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving that leave them feeling 'stuck' in repeating faulty problem solutions, With my support as a trained mental health professional, therapy represents an opportunity to slow down, develop an expanded view of 'the problem', understand what happened to block problem resolution to date, renew hope, develop and implement a roadmap to get where you want to go, and, ultimately, achieve the balance essential to realizing one's full potential.

Here at IPG, we know it's the connection between therapist and client that is most important. We have around 30 therapists through 3 offices in Freehold, Highland Park, and Jersey City. Since 1983 we've combined compassionate care with high-level expertise. We provide individual, family, child, and relationship counseling for problems ranging from depression to life transitions to marital strife. We also have a large group of certified sex therapists, a special focus on the LGBTQ community, services for transgender youth, therapy for those involved in BDSM and/or consensual non-monogamy, and a group for sex and pornography addicts.

I am a clinically trained, psychodynamically-oriented psychotherapist. I received my Master’s in Social Work with an area of emphasis in mental and behavioral health from Rutgers University. I have provided psychotherapeutic services to children, adolescents, and adults in inpatient, outpatient, and school settings. These professional experiences have allowed me to work with clients from different backgrounds, belief systems, and orientations and to better understand the unique and shared experiences that are part of the human condition.

Have you ever felt your interactions with others do not represent your true self? Do you often feel misunderstood? Do you lack emotional energy or avoid uncomfortable situations? Are you often triggered but lack self-awareness to understand the source of your feelings? Perhaps you are a teen or young adult wondering how your feelings and emotional intelligence will affect your life.

My specialty is difficult life transitions. Perhaps you have just received a serious illness diagnosis for yourself or someone in your family. Or you have recently lost someone you love. Maybe you're a parent struggling to balance family, work and self-care. You may feel too discouraged, too overwhelmed, or too exhausted to make a change. As an experienced hospice social worker and birth doula, I have witnessed pain and suffering, as well as the growth, strength and joy that become possible amidst difficult circumstances.

I am a licensed clinical social worker and have been counseling individuals, families, and groups for the past 22 years. My specialty is working with adult men who are struggling with relationships and life transitions. Through my training and teaching of therapeutic wilderness survival and my years working and teaching at Rutgers University, I am very familiar with the issues young adults and adults in today's world are challenged with. Additionally, I have spent many years working at Arms Acres and The SAFE Foundation, with individuals and family members of individuals struggling with process of addiction and recovery.

New clients often ask, "how will talking to you about my problems help me?" All of us on this web site would probably agree that working with a caring and interested therapist can have positive, even dramatic, results - - whether that means the relief of depression and anxiety, feeling better and happier in your intimate relationships, dealing with loss, or generally liking yourself better. What is the first meeting like? I want to hear about your immediate concerns, to get to know something of your life story, and to see how we might work together to achieve your goals.

Bringing a careful, curious & compassionate attention to ourselves and our present situation is often the first step in any journey of healing or self-discovery. In our work together, I will encourage you to join me in a non-judging, non-blaming attitude of curiosity towards yourself, your past and current experiences and relationships, and whatever comes forward during our meetings together. For me, this curiosity includes elements of deep respect for what is known and not known about what shapes our sense of who we are and what drives our moods and behaviors.

Psychotherapy is a process that allows for healing and meaningful connection. Past struggles and difficult thought patterns can cause strain on your sense of self and your relationships. My goal is to provide a warm and supportive space that allows you to share and explore what you need. As your therapist I would take great care in hearing your story and attending to our therapeutic relationship. I work with individuals, couples, and families across a spectrum of identities and backgrounds on their path toward wholeness.

I am a bi-lingual, bi-cultural Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and I use evidence - based treatment to manage anxiety, depression, trauma and distress caused by life stressors. I work with young adults, adults across the life span and couples facing relationship conflicts. I also work with individuals and family members affected by substance use and co-dependence issues. I am a compassionate, empathetic and non-judgmental, with over 15 years of experience helping others. Each client is different. I begin with a thorough assessment, and then together, my client and I tailor a treatment plan of action.

I have a diverse practice in which I work with adults, children, adolescents and couples who are struggling with a variety of different issues. These include depression, anxiety/panic attacks, relationship problems, school and behavioral issues, parenting challenges, ADHD, low self-esteem, stress, sexual orientation and gender identity concerns, struggles with spirituality, self-injurious behavior, adoption, dealing with medical problems, grief and loss, trauma, and coping with divorce and its aftermath. My ideal client is one who wants help and is feeling ready to do the work necessary to improve and enrich his or her life.

With over 25 years of experience in private practice and teaching other professionals, I work with adults, couples, and adolescents. Maybe more than anything else, the most important part of psychotherapy is the bond that is built between the therapist and person or couple seeking treatment. Warmth, humor, understanding the root of the problem, and the capacity to be frank and solution-oriented, when needed, all combine to promote a safe environment where people can find a way through their particular problem.

Here at IPG, we know it's the connection between therapist and client that is most important. We have around 30 therapists through 3 offices in Freehold, Highland Park, and Jersey City. Since 1983 we've combined compassionate care with high-level expertise. We provide individual, family, child, and relationship counseling for problems ranging from depression to life transitions to marital strife. We also have a large group of certified sex therapists, a special focus on the LGBTQ community, services for transgender youth, therapy for those involved in BDSM and/or consensual non-monogamy, and a group for sex and pornography addicts.

My practice is based on the understanding that many clients have suffered overwhelming, traumatic, or adverse childhood experiences regardless of whether they are coming to therapy specifically due to these experiences. With compassion and care, I approach every session from a trauma informed lens. Instead of asking, "What is wrong with you?" I explore, "What have you experienced in your life and how might these symptoms be a response to it?"

Self esteem in the dumps? Moods driving you "nuts"? Arguments, bickering and frustration in your relationships? Sex an "issue"? Whatever you are struggling with; relationships, anxiety, depression, women's issues, men's issues, teenagers, I will work with you to help you and those you love, feel better and function better. I will listen carefully to your story and work with you to recognize and change patterns of behaving and feeling that lead to difficulties. I offer you empathy and understanding and my depth and breadth of life and educational experience. We will work together to meet your goals.

No one really knows what it is like to be you. You might be struggling, depressed, or anxious. These can be from external or internal sources . Disappointments large or small may be tormenting you. Maybe you even spoke some of these out to someone who didn’t understand, leading to a negative outcome. If this sounds like you, I’m here to help. There are solutions and ways forward through life’s difficulties. It all starts with the choice to seek help.