Therapists in Montclair, NJ

For 30 years, I have helped couples learn the communication components necessary for strong, resilient relationships. You'll learn to use your strengths effectively in your work and personal life while resolving your weaknesses. Using a tried and true approach to decision making, I will help you develop a plan to move you towards your goals. We will deconstruct the causes of stress, tension and painful upsetting moods in your life. Privacy, confidentiality and respect for your needs are fundamental to my work with you.

We sometimes need help navigating life's challenges, whether they occur at home, in school, or in the work place. Resolving adversity requires resiliency and coping mechanisms. Learning to identify triggers and stressors, focus on strengths, and work collaboratively to address concerns in a safe and judgement-free space, can help to produce positive change.

Life can be overwhelming and demanding. Making the decision to enter therapy can be difficult. Working through emotional pain is a way of healing and giving back to yourself. If you are here be kind to yourself and take that next step to begin your healing journey.

*I am not accepting new clients* I work with adolescents, adults, couples and families struggling with overwhelming feelings, infertility, pregnancy/postpartum issues, disordered eating/body image, trauma, anxiety, depression or general life obstacles. I believe that the way you view yourself, your relationships with others, and the world is a gateway to the therapeutic experience. My clients would describe my warmth, compassion, use of humor and realism as a recipe for connection and safety within our relationship. I am an active participant during sessions and willing to be vulnerable to move my client to a place of change.

I am a licensed psychologist with 30+ years of experience. I work with adults and adolescents with a variety of issues that include: anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, self-esteem problems, anger management, life transitions and losses, problems with work and school. I consider it essential that the people who see me feel supported and experience a treatment that is tailored to their individual needs and concerns. My approach is to explore difficulties and discover underlying causes in a supportive environment. Our work is aimed at reducing personal distress and developing more effective ways of coping with internal and external stress. As treatment progresses, patients will begin to feel stronger, more capable and better able to enjoy life.

I firmly believe that life is easier lived when lived in relationship. In relationship, we can receive support, understanding, growth, and acceptance, making difficult life experiences much more bearable. We find and make relationships in so many domains; at home, with friends, in communities, and even with a therapist. That is why I think finding a therapist you feel safe with is so important.

I have a Masters in Social Work from Hunter College School of Social Work and a Post-Masters Certification in family and couples therapy from the Ackerman Institute for the Family. I specialize in the areas of trauma, adolescence (including self-harm and cyber bullying), adoption-related identity and parenting issues, multicultural individuals, couples and families. I am LGBTQ+ -friendly and work with clients of all genders and orientations. As a therapist, one of my missions is to help you recognize that while your experiences-your fears, your losses, your triumphs-are unique, you are not alone.

I have enormous respect for those who ask for help: it's a true sign of strength. I consider being a therapist a privilege and admire my clients who vulnerably reveal themselves and their experiences in order to grow and heal. Therapy is most successful when there is a good connection between therapist and client. It's important to find a therapist that you like, trust, and respect. If we are a good fit, we can make great changes!

I hope for my clients to walk away from therapy feeling like they can handle whatever bumps they may encounter in life. This can happen by becoming aware of habits and patterns that are problematic; fully exploring and understanding them spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, and then coming up with alternative ways of navigating. I offer short and long term treatment options as well as a sliding scale fee when appropriate. I enjoy teaching meditation so that people can move through the world from a place of mindfulness.

I specialize in utilizing art therapy with individuals of all ages who are struggling with anxiety. When you are experiencing stress, overwhelm, grief, or times of change, it often affects every aspect of life. Art therapy is an engaging, collaborative form of therapy that combines traditional talk therapy approaches with the creative process. My adult clients often want to uncover new insights and explore themselves deeply to grow and heal, and my child and teenage clients are excited to use therapeutic art, writing, and play to process their experiences and learn new coping strategies.

In all his work, Chris always looks towards your empowerment and in that provides guidance and helps you to truly recognize your strengths and how to build upon them. Most every appointment is available and is as effective by phone or video chat (Zoom or FaceTime), and can further be more expeditiously scheduled these ways. Guidance, support, and objectivity are key elements in any service provided along with the addition of any tools and action plans as appropriate that have you manifest more of what you want being an active agent of your own change. Chris' experience is with ages 4 and up with children, adolescents, and adults.

My favorite author, Cleo Wade, once wrote, “There is no mountain that cannot be climbed and there are more pathways to the top than we could ever imagine.” At times, it can feel like the mountain(s) in front of us are insurmountable. These mountains could include grief reactions, trauma, relationship problems, newfound or old insecurities that won’t go away, job or financial insecurities, family difficulties, and many more. I believe that therapy exists to help you find alternative pathways to the top of the mountain you are facing.

I am a Licensed Family Therapist with over 35 years of experience. Over time, I developed various ways to help people solve problems, together. I work with couples, or whole families, and with children and adolescents. I have a strong belief that even painful or difficult things can be addressed constructively. I have a variety of methods to reach that goal. I utilize experiential, narrative, structural, constructivist, or insight oriented approaches, individually tailored to each situation. I have a special fondness for teenagers, and a unique approach to parenting issues.

Currently available for virtual appointments. Have you or your partner been affected by trauma? Are traumatic events from your past interfering with your relationship? Trauma-informed couples therapy can help you reconnect with your partner. I specialize in couples therapy for those who are struggling with relationships with their family members or partners and to also help them understand the effects of intergenerational transmission of stress and trauma. I want to help people who are trying to find peace of mind, more control in their lives, better regulation of emotions, and feel more positive about their future.

There is something in the human spirit that recognizes that our lives can be changed. A spark of possibility lives alongside our confusion, loss, anxiety, anger or trauma. Working with an experienced therapist provides a chance to access those possibilities, understand ourselves and our circumstances better, and bring about the changes that we want and need.

At Full Heart Recovery we believe that Sex Addiction, Chemical Dependency and Alcoholism are primary disorders. Addicts and their impacted families are in need of support, expert clinical care and practical tools to remain clean and sober. Utilizing both individual and group therapy in combination with neurofeedback and psychoeducation we address sex addiction and chemical dependency from a biological, social and psychological perspective.

Like focusing a camera lens to help create a desired picture, we need at times to refocus the image of our lives that may have become blurry often through the uninvited challenges or changes that come our way -or perhpas past events are not completely resolved as we thought. With blocked or stiffled awareness, our copng skills may be crying out for help as our deptression, our anxiety, our mood swings, our drinking, or our drug use may be taking over and managing us instead of we managing them. Do you hear yourself saying: I know that I need help; I want to do better; I want to feel better; I know that I can! Can you help me?

I am a psychotherapist in private practice in Montclair, New Jersey. I work with individuals seeking to overcome issues related to trauma, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, grief, loss, and relationship difficulties. I am eclectic in my approach and draw on different modalities, including EMDR, to meet each client’s unique needs and offer a variety of approaches in healing from trauma and other difficult life events.

Drama Therapy for Kids: Act Your Way out of Anxiety. Is your child suffering from anxiety about school, friendships, or new situations such as divorce? Are your child's issues lowering their self-esteem? Why send your child to just talk therapy when they can heal through stories? Through drama and arts therapy kids communicate how they were meant to communicate - through storytelling and imaginary play. They act out characters, make up stories, share favorite films or t.v. shows while healing from anxiety or depression. A drama therapist speaks the child's language and quickly gets to the core of the problems.

It can happen in any relationship. The day-to-day grind of work, school, family and other responsibilities can cause a loss of connection. What were once minor disagreements can become a source of ever-escalating conflict. Many couples find it difficult to break the cycle and get "unstuck." I can help you improve communication, regain physical intimacy, recover from and affair, understand how past experiences affect present difficulties, manage parenting / step-family challenges, build trust, prevent a divorce and get a good start with premarital counseling.