Psychodynamic Therapists in Ridgewood, NJ

I am a licensed clinical psychologist in full-time private practice. I have had post-doctoral training in psychotherapy and psychoanalysis, and have received certification in medical hypnosis. I work with a diverse patient caseload, dealing with the spectrum of anxiety disorders (panic, generalized anxiety, OCD), as well as depressive disorders, and stress-related conditions, including psychsomatic problems such as back pain. I also work extensively with patients with relationship issues, in both individual and couple therapy settings. I am also available for psychological testing, including intelligence and personality testing. In addition, I provide training in mindfulness and marital communication skills.

It is my pleasure and privilege to work with individuals, couples and families in my Ridgewood private practice. Since receiving my Ph.D. in 1998, I have had the opportunity to offer psychotherapy to late teens and adults who are struggling with issues related to mood, anxiety, body image, self worth and relationships. I take a highly interactive approach to treatment, engaging with my patients as they explore the obstacles to their optimal spiritual, mental, physical and emotional well-being. Our goal, working together, is to turn those obstacles into opportunities for openness and integrity in personal and relationship issues.

As a clinical psychologist with over 25 years experience in private practice, I specialize in working with couples and individuals around depression, relationship issues, and parenting. I am interested in the here and now of current relationships, but also pay attention to how past relationships and family history may play a role in current problems. I have a particular expertise in helping couples deal with affairs, infertility issues, adjustment to new parenthood and coping with children with special needs.

As a licensed psychologist in practice for over 25 years, I have been so fortunate to have fostered personal growth and fulfillment in those I have worked with. I help people to build on their strengths in order to enjoy their lives. The first sign of strength is recognizing that there is a problem and coming for help. I work with people of all ages, but specialize in adolescents and young adults. I deal with a wide variety of emotional difficulties and have experience helping with adjustment to college and early adulthood, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and parenting concerns.

I have over 30 years of experience as a practicing clinician who uses a variety of treatment approaches, in order to provide you with the best possible outcome. My goal is to help you to navigate in any of the life experiences or situations that have created an impasse. I am interested in supporting you to achieve your best possible way of living. I work in a psychodynamic manner as well as a more direct solution focused paradigm. This can include using DBT, CBT, EMDR, and mindfulness. I see individuals and/or couples. I am strength based, in working with you to navigate towards healing.

I work comfortably with individuals, couples and adolescents/families. My style is interpersonal; I tend to give feedback and try to maintain a goal-oriented perspective. While my theoretical background is psychoanalytic/ psychodynamic , I draw from other perspectives, often integrating cognitive-behavioral techniques into the treatment. I am comfortable working with religious/spiritual concerns. I see developing a relationship with mutual trust and respect as the main vehicle and goal of psychotherapy.

If you have aspects of your life that you would like to see improve or change, then you are in the right place. Almost everyone has things in their life that they would like to see change and therapy provides a great safe space for this. Together, we can work to help you gain insight into behavior patterns, which may be holding you back from living the life you want. We can also work to help you develop new coping skills and identify triggers to anxiety, depression, and anger.

Do you ever feel alone in a room full of people or lonely in what should be a loving relationship? Are you anxious or sad and don't know why (or maybe do)? If you struggle to connect, to trust, to reach out, to pursue what you desire or to stop doing what doesn't work, our work together will begin with creating a safe, open, inquisitive, and engaging relationship with me. I believe the connection and strong alliance with the therapist is essential for developing a secure base from which you can gain the confidence to understand yourself in new ways and to explore and pursue more meaningful changes professionally and relationally.

Psychotherapy is a practice of deep listening and understanding. I help people develop insight into their troubles and look into habitual patterns that may create obstacles to their life goals. Together, we identify these patterns, explore feelings, and put effective coping skills into practice. When working with children, my approach invites the family in. Parent coaching, which involves a neurobiological understanding, and psychodynamic insight are integral. Through play therapy I help children discover ways to communicate their experience. The purpose is to establish a connection that encourages growth and the sense that children have a positive impact in their world.

I am a licensed Board Certified psychotherapist, regarded as intuitive, patient and kind. My diverse professional background in combination with my lifelong dedication to guiding others through emotional challenges has informed my unique empathetic approach to psychotherapy. I understand that most issues lie deep and it takes time for clients to work them through to find lasting relief. However, others might only need short term treatment, then I will address presenting problems to offer more immediate relief. My goal is to assist each client in finding comfort, perspective, stability and strategies to resolve inner conflicts.

I have been in private practice for more than 20 years. I work in Northern New Jersey and provide short-term psychotherapy using psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and sensorimotor psychotherapy. I feel using an integrated model produces the best results. Every client is different so it's necessary to use multiple modalities --a one size fits all model does not work in therapy. I like working in partnership with clients. I am approachable, warm, nurturing and active in my sessions. I believe it's essential to be available to clients and return phone calls and emails on a timely basis

It has been my privilege to do the meaningful and fulfilling work of psychotherapy on a daily basis. In my 25+ years of experience, I have witnessed the profound effects that therapy can have in one's life, both internally and externally. My approach is to work collaboratively to help you achieve your goals using a variety of clinical techniques depending upon you and your situation. I have a foundation of doctoral and post-doctoral training in psychodynamic theory and technique, along with additional training throughout the years in more behaviorally oriented techniques and in couples therapy.

I am dedicated to helping individuals develop the skills to resolve interpersonal and psychological issues. I have specialty training in anxiety and depression, family therapy, grief/bereavement counseling, borderline personality disorder, and in health psychology; including pain and symptom management, anxiety reduction and adjustment to illness. I work with adolescents in the area of dealing with blended family issues, school avoidance, self harm and social anxiety. Regardless of the specific therapeutic issue, I take an individualized approach and focus on cultivating growth, insight and self-compassion.

I am a seasoned therapist and a go to person when you are suffering with loss, relationship issues or going through transitions in your life. Worry, depression and anxiety are often a consequence. Feeling disconnected from life, you often feel powerless to make confident decisions. I use my expertise from my 20 years in a therapeutic practice to guide clients to be able to manage their lives, have less anxiety, and be more confident. Mastering techniques to take things down a notch, clients leave sessions with less tension and more hope for resolving what is on their minds.

I believe that therapy is an opportunity for people to get the most out of life. It is a reflection of one’s courage to face familial changes, life stressors and significant emotional experiences. An overarching goal of my practice is to utilize one’s talents, strengths, creativity, wisdom and optimism to help individuals regain control of their complicated lives. As such, I utilize Cognitive Behavioral and Psychodynamic approaches. I find that Psychodynamic Therapy can be particularly beneficial for those who have lost meaning in their lives or have difficulty forming or maintaining relationships.

Growing up in the world today has become exceptionally challenging for our youth. With technology and social media, families are confronted with more adversity than ever before. In our journey toward healthy development and happiness, we are experiencing escalating levels of pressure to achieve and "fit-in", when, in reality, we are all seeking a sense of belonging. Many parents and their children are trying to cope with depression/anxiety, social conflict, including bullying, and often traumatic experiences or exposure to traumatic events, which manifest in self-destructive behavior, low self-esteem, and social isolation.