Dialectical Behavior (DBT) Therapists in Princeton, NJ

As a seasoned PhD psychotherapist (AAMFT Clinical Fellow) and published author, I combine 36 years experience in private practice (including training & supervision of other clinicians) with a broad range of expertise in varying modalities. This multidisciplinary model helps facilitate steady movement and lasting healing. My work is in-depth, integrative and transformative. My unique style incorporates philosophies that are both practical and motivational. You will learn to listen to your authentic voice and to trust this guidance, gaining inner strength, clarity and confidence, effecting fruitful results in your life. Reach out.

Offering in-person and virtual sessions! I come with a curiosity about attachment and early stages of development. My treatment approach is to help restore connection to yourself and your relationships through psychodynamic and trauma-informed therapies. Many people share how their negative beliefs, emotional discomfort and physical disturbance can “feel stuck” in their mind and nervous system. I work with clients to resolve present day problems and longstanding patterns in their lives (anxiety, phobias, PTSD, Depression and so on.) through the integration of mind, body and brain processing techniques.

Are change and uncertainty making you feel anxious? Do you feel that it's a struggle to work through challenges in your life? If you are tired of trying to make things better on your own, I am here to help you and your family learn healthy coping strategies to manage the emotions and behaviors that trouble you. In therapy, find the clarity and balance you need to connect deeply to your inner strengths to create lasting, positive changes in your life. I am focused on helping you meet your goals and make the changes to your life that you want to see.

Clients, as well as therapists, come in all shapes and sizes. When it comes to finding a good fit in a therapist, clients should feel safe and comfortable to be able to open up over time. Personality plays a huge role in compatibility. Down to earth, approachable, and relaxed are three qualities that describe my persona. I strive to provide clients with a safe space to feel respected, heard, and understood. I support clients in building effective communication skills, fostering meaningful relationships, practicing appropriate social skills, utilizing healthy coping strategies, and to establish and maintain healthy boundaries.

I am a client-centered therapist who strives towards helping each individual find their strengths and develop compassion and kindness towards self. I am a therapist who believes in the importance of the therapeutic relationship and uses a compassionate, empathetic, and non-judgmental approach with each of my clients.

I enjoy working alongside those who need assistance with anxiety and related disorders. These issues can make you feel like your whole body is affected - it can leave you feeling isolated, scared, angry, or stuck. We all go through challenging times and are faced with difficult uncertainties. If you desire a relief from the often times debilitating "what-ifs", I would like to help. It's my goal to provide a non-judgmental, safe, and supportive space where we can begin to understand the root of what triggers your fears and thoughts. We may explore how the past impacts you today and how you view the world and those around you.

Princeton Center for DBT and Counseling is a private group practice specializing in comprehensive DBT services for adults and adolescents, as well as other forms of psychotherapy including EMDR and trauma therapies, supportive counseling, family therapy, and parent consultation and support.Our mission is to provide the highest standard of mental health treatment while maintaining an approach that is flexible and customized to meet the unique needs of each individual in the process of achieving meaningful and lasting change. Lona Stranieri, LCSW is the Director and is a DBT -Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Clinician

My approach begins with the belief that individuals are resilient and may benefit from utilizing their own strengths to increase their resilience. Individuals often ask, “How do I build on my personal strengths?” My philosophy is that it is about identifying several factors; What you are passionate about? What motivates you? What interests allow you to be excited about today and look forward to tomorrow? Identification of these variables assist in attaining lifestyle balance, developing healthy coping skills, recognizing your priorities and problem solving.

You long for peace and clarity in your life but when navigating a major life transition those goals can appear out of reach. Divorce, illness, family and career changes can leave any one of us reeling, feeling beaten down, overwhelmed, confused and alone. A therapist can provide that safe non-judgmental space to explore thoughts, feelings and experiences that may be preventing you from moving forward. I work hard to tailor my approach to meet my client's needs always honoring the fact that this work is collaborative and each client is unique.

My ideal client is someone who comes to therapy in a time of need. They might be experiencing anxiety due to life changes and transitions or they might be experiencing symptoms of anxiety for the first time and be concerne as to where the anxiety came from. The client might be processing loss or grief from a loved one or past friendships and or relationships. My ideal client will have needs such as needing to identify coping skills to get through life stressors, assistance with reaching goals. As a therapist I would be able to provide the client with a objective perspective to bounce their ideas and situations off of.

Have you been thinking about therapy for a while, wondering if it's right for you? Are you looking for change in your life? These are questions which we may ask ourselves. I enjoy working with clients who are interested in change, increasing self-awareness, identifying patterns of thoughts and behaviors that have shaped their lives and then trying to reconfigure these in positive, grow-oriented ways. While I have worked with clients of all ages, across the lifespan, I do have deeper experience working with college and post-collegiate aged adults, new mothers, and anyone dealing with life transitions.

My ideal client would be someone who is trying to make connections from their past to the present, not to relive their past, but to understand why they may be struggling in the present. Learning to let go of old habits, old ways of thinking that were dysfunctional, is key to living mindfully in the present. Changing the response to the narrative is important to be able to move forward from your past experiences.

If you are looking to make a specific changes in your life, reduce anxiety, or improve relationships therapy may be the answer. I believe that all of us have the right to live fully and authentically. Sometimes things get in the way; from a chaotic childhood to low self esteem, depression, loss of any kind, or any other adverse life event that blocks us from achieving true satisfaction and happiness in life. I strive to create a compassionate, supportive and non-judgmental environment for those that are struggling with challenging symptoms, have difficulties managing emotions or maintaining healthy and satisfying relationships.

OPEN TO RETURNING CLIENTS ONLY. I specialize in working with adolescents and young adults ages 13 to 30, but I do treat all adults. I have 20+ years of experience helping young people and their families negotiate major life transitions, relationship challenges, school related academic and social issues, as well as managing symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma and substance abuse. I understand the neccesity of collaborating with families of teens and individualizing each person's treatment approach. I am also aware of the specific dynamics of many of the local schools and universities, and can help navigate through those systems.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I will join with you to head towards your goals together. I approach my clients from a strengths-based perspective, believing that you possess the strength and resilience to thrive even during your most difficult times. My goal is to help clients learn to better cope with the many challenges life presents, to grow and thrive.

Therapy can be a richly rewarding process. Most important to its success is first establishing a non-judgmental, collaborative relationship so together we can identify and flexibly address your particular needs. From there our work may include identifying familiar patterned behaviors and learning specific coping and problem solving skills to allow for new ways to relate to yourself, to others, to strengthen your mind, and deepen your emotional resilience. Our work will draw on a combination of treatment modalities including short-term solution-focused practices, mindfulness, and neurobiological understandings.

I am a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) specializing in the treatment of trauma and addictions. I am passionate about walking clients through the healing journey, and believe that through facing our struggles we are able to find and embrace our unique strengths and purpose.