Therapists in Manahawkin, NJ

Unfortunately, I am unable to accept new clients at this time. In therapy, I will work with you to help you identify your stressors, and achieve your goals. Through my continuing education, I am constantly updating my knowledge of new theories and techniques to help my clients improve their lives. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Doctorate in Psychological Counseling. I am an NBCC board certified clinical mental health counselor, and have a diplomate in trauma treatment from the American Mental Health Counselors Association, as well s a diplomate from the National Board of Clinical Hypnotherapists.

Dana Forrest is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker(LCSW) who specializes in providing talk therapy to adolescents and young adults who experience a wide variety of issues. Ages 16-24 offer us a unique opportunity to course correct our lives. We know we're making mistakes, following bad examples, or not getting where we want to go... and most people have not made permanent mistakes yet. Many people go through life thinking they have time to sort it out, they will figure it out later. What's the sense in wasting your own time? Why set up bigger hurdles for later? Take the time NOW to deal with it.

Wellness is a matter of balance. Anyone who struggles with addiction, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or ANY experience of overwhelming emotion, can relate to a sense of imbalance. Often times we develop strategies to tip the scale. Unfortunately, we may find strategies that become part of a cycle of avoidance. I can help you break this cycle by creating strategies that promote balance, rather than a constant see-saw.

I work with clients seeking to address a wide variety of issues while fostering self understanding and personal growth. Having vast experience working with families in the community and students in a high school, I work with adolescents and their parents to address behavioral and emotional issues. In addition, I have developed a specialty in couples counseling, which comprises about half my practice. Utilizing Imago Therapy as my foundation, I teach how relationships can be a place of healing and growth, while coaching couples to utilize communication skills to create the understanding, acceptance, and connection for which humans long.

Addiction and mental health disorders are often misunderstood. I believe in meeting my clients where they are and empowering awareness and meaningful change. There isn't a one size fits all approach and I use various techniques to meet unique needs of each individual. Successful treatment involves education and support. I have worked in a variety of settings over the past 15 years including hospital based programs, day programs, outpatient programs, and within the criminal justice system.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Family Mediator working with individuals, couples and families for over 10 years. Individual counseling includes self-esteem, relationships, life transitions, academic & career choices, depression and anxiety. Couple and Family counseling is dynamic, including pre-marital counseling, family planning, parental burn out, parenting issues, in-law matters, intimacy issues, low sexual desire, infidelity (emotional, physical and internet) recovery, divorce adjustment, and blended family issues, as well as individual issues.

Change is hard. For some of us it is simply a need to explore a specific issue, job change, relationship exploration, or a goal for our future. For others, long held negative thoughts/ beliefs, anxiety and depression can paralyze moving forward, leaving us floundering for years. Regardless, change is possible. It is your turn, there is hope.