Therapists in Pompton Plains, NJ

Samantha works with teens, young adults, and clients of all ages to address anxiety, depression, ADHD, and other types of mental illness. Samantha has worked with emergency responders, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, veterans, active duty military, and those suffering with medical trauma and chronic illness. As a Licensed Associate Counselor, she has engaged in training which informed her in the treatment of chronic stress, trauma, clinical depression and anxiety, OCD, abuse in its many forms, substance misuse, grief & loss, family/marital issues, adoption and foster care, OCD, and infant and early childhood mental health.

Dr. Benanti's background includes two Masters Degrees and a Doctorate from Columbia University where he taught in the graduate division. Our Master Level Life Coaches are all Nationally Certified and each received over 250 hours of advanced training directly from Dr. Benanti. We work with adults and couples who want to experience less everyday stress and far more of the personal fulfillment that is available in each of our own unique lives.

I appreciate the uniqueness of every individual and situation and can adapt my approach to what will be most effective in treating the underlying issue causing distress. I am passionate and enthusiastic about helping clients to move out of what isn't working for them and empower them to reach their goals. I love watching clients learn skills to help them move out of depression and anxiety to higher levels of functioning. I especially enjoy working with couples in distress and help them get to a place where their relationship is a source of comfort rather than stress.

Life is hard: frustrations and stress are mounting and you're not coping as well as you'd like. Even as a Christian believer, you may be feeling discouraged, confused, stuck. Have you lost pleasure in things you would normally enjoy? Are "what-ifs" feeding your anxieties and doubts? What's getting in the way? Has your family been impacted by addiction? Perhaps there's trauma or loss that needs healing. Maybe you're fatigued by the battles you're fighting with your own or a loved one's health, or even as a military veteran who is now out of uniform.

My clients are adolescents and young adults (ages 13-35) with mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder, possible suicidality, symptoms of trauma or PTSD, anxiety or severe stress disorders, and substance use and addiction. Struggling with life transitions, fitting in or dealing with peers or co-workers, feeling a lack of control over your life, or finding reasons to stay alive—let alone thrive, can feel very intimidating finding a way out. However, you don’t have to face those moments alone or feeling afraid to speak up. When you feel isolated or in the dark, I'll be in your corner without an ounce of judgment.

Are you struggling with managing the different areas of your life? Do you find yourself overwhelmed, anxious or stressed out often? Are you irritable or "snappy" with your loved ones? I specialize in working with teens and adults coping with anxiety, depression, trauma and overall life stressors.

The purpose of counseling is to help people cope with problems in daily living and to deal with inner conflicts which hinder various aspects of their personal satisfaction and functioning. This purpose is usually accomplished by increasing the client's personal awareness, increasing the client's acceptance of self and others, and having the client make behavioral and cognitive changes to attain personal goals. To achieve this, I utilize a combination of research-based practices such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectic behavior therapy, solution focused therapy, reality therapy, motivational interviewing, and client-centered therapy.

Have you found yourself wondering if therapy is right for you? Are you hesitant wondering if this can really work? Feeling like all the pressure is weighing you down? If this is you, I want you to start by taking a nice deep breath. You are not alone. We are here to support you on your journey to healing. Our professionals have been helping people navigate the intricacies of life for 15+ years. We are trained Marriage and Family Therapist’s, LCSW and LPC who work with individuals, families, and couples. We specialize in relationship issues, parenting, stress, anxiety, grief, depression, trauma, and women's issues.

Helen Castiglione is a passionate and dedicated practitioner who understands the many and varied needs of children, adolescents, adults, and families in our modern and ever-changing daily lives. In our stress-filled, demanding and busy world with rapid digital change, Helen strives to develop meaningful therapeutic relationships with a hopeful perspective. With issues and needs related to anxiety, attention and focus, executive functioning, social skills development, emotional regulation, and behavioral challenges, Helen creates an emotionally safe space to allow children, adults, and families to grow and change.

Therapy can be scary when you're unsure what to expect. It may help you to know that my goal is to give you a positive experience where you can work on yourself in a non judgmental and validating environment. In these unprecedented times you may be struggling with anxiety, depression and school and work related stress. You may also be struggling with adjusting to the quickly changing times and balancing daily responsibilities. Whatever calls you to therapy will be addressed with care and compassion while also providing you with the tools to challenge yourself to create positive changes.