Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) Therapists in Montclair, NJ

At a fundamental level, everyone wants to feel fulfilled in life; to know that they matter, to be loved, and to feel safe. Unfortunately, many people move through life believing that they are powerless, cycling through toxic yet familiar relationships. As a Clinician, my goal is to help you to better understand yourself, so that you can make choices and move through life in a way that facilitates growth, rather than keeps you stuck.

My practice of 30+ years offers adult Individual, couples, and marital treatment options from a resiliency and strength based perspective. The therapeutic relationship ought to provide a caring and safe environment for patients to openly discuss their concerns. My cognitive and behavioral approach is interactive, which enables patients to learn different coping strategies that foster positive change for themselves and in their interpersonal relationships. I see the therapeutic process from a multi cultural perspective and as an opportunity to grow and develop at any age and stage of life.

As a Licensed Social Worker, I am dedicated to helping you achieve your goals and resolve problems. I have a positive, warm, and open approach in which you will feel safe and heard. We will work together to set goals, implement change, learn, and grow. Although I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as a primary framework, I use a flexible approach tailored to the needs of each client. Approaches include; Mindfulness, Self-Care, Motivational Interviewing, Exposure Therapy, Play Therapy, and Person Centered Therapy.

Psychotherapy should be individualized, supportive, adaptive, and promote increased feelings of wellbeing, a heightened sense of competence or mastery, enhanced coping skills, stress reduction, and improved interpersonal relationships. Everyone is different, and our first sessions will focus on an exploration of your unique needs, strengths, preferences and abilities. Psychotherapy can be brief and solution-focused, but is often a lengthier relationship in which we examine lifelong themes and patterns. Please note, I typically work with individuals who can make a regular, weekly commitment to attend therapy.

I've worked in the mental health field for over 20 years and provide psychotherapy and consultation to those in NY and NJ. Having worked in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and community counseling clinics, I specialize in treating emotion dysregulation, addictions, mood and anxiety disorders, and in helping clients develop coping and resilience. I've served as president for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s NJ Chapter and my position as Suicide Prevention Coordinator at Montclair State University's Counseling Center prevents me from seeing current MSU students in my practice.

I am a licensed psychologist practicing in Montclair, NJ. I received my A.B. in psychology from Harvard University, and my Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Emory University. I completed my pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital- Weill Cornell Medical College. In addition to treating adults and adolescents with a range of difficulties, including mood/anxiety disorders and relationship problems, I have specialized training in the treatment of personality disorders and working with individuals who struggle with ongoing patterns of self-defeating behavior, self-harm, or chronic experiences of emptiness or unhappiness.