Optum Therapists in Toms River, NJ

Jose Desiderio is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of New Jersey and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the state of New York. Jose has over 5 years of experience in the mental health field focused on treating anxiety, depression, stress, anger management, interpersonal relationship issues, life transitions, and men's issues. Throughout his career, Jose has been passionate about helping adolescents, adults, and couples address their concerns in a safe, non-judgmental, and supportive space. Jose completed his Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the College of Staten Island.

I'm Allison Carluccio, a Licensed Professional Counselor with five years of experience in clinical settings. My background includes offering Mental Health Services in preschool and high school settings, as well as private practice, and interning in an Intensive Outpatient Crisis Center. As your therapist, my aim is to motivate and assist you in setting achievable and enduring goals that facilitate positive changes in your life. I'm dedicated to guiding you towards becoming the best version of yourself, fostering feelings of accomplishment, confidence, and empowerment by imparting healthy coping strategies.

Through a compassionate and attentive demeanor, coupled with my innate listening skills, I foster heartfelt empathy that ensures my clients feel respected, heard, and understood. While specializing in Couples Counseling, Relationship Issues, and Family Therapy, I also extend support for various other concerns. Within the trusting therapeutic relationship, my clients address feelings of Disconnectedness, Relationship Breakdowns, Conflict Resolution, Infidelity, Betrayal, Loss, and beyond. As a result, they emerge from therapy as rejuvenated individuals, empowered to attain the fulfilling life they aspire to.

Hello, I'm Allison Santero, LCSW. With over 20 years as a Clinical Therapist, I've worked with children, adolescents, adults, and families. My background in healthcare/hospital settings enhances my skill set, enabling me to address how physical health impacts emotional well-being. I specialize in supporting individuals and families navigating challenging transitions like divorce, trauma, or academic difficulties, as well as addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, self-harm, bullying, and associated diagnoses. Additionally, I have experience working with and supporting the LGBTQ community.

As a licensed clinical social worker with over a decade of experience, I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. My commitment to paying it forward and leading with kindness drives my passion for helping others. I've worked extensively with terminally ill clients, families, adults, children, and individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, and various other challenges. My compassionate approach and attentive listening skills enable me to support those in need. Employing a range of modalities and therapies, I facilitate the healing process for my clients.

Stephanie's ideal client is someone who is willing to come to session and put in the hard work that therapy requires. Her ideal client’s issues and needs would stem from something personal or even an external circumstance from outside of their lives. What matters here is having courage and how her clients decide to deal with those issues and needs, because life can throw curveballs. She she hopes to bring a sense of compassion, kindness, trust, and empathy when working with these clients.

Greetings, I'm Alexia Totoro, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) with over a decade of involvement in mental and behavioral health. Throughout my journey, I've accumulated diverse experiences driven by my passion for empowering individuals to discover their truest selves.

Hello, I'm Rea Allarey, a licensed clinical social worker with over a decade of experience in both inpatient and outpatient medical environments. Life often presents us with stress and overwhelm, and I'm here to guide you through those challenges. Whether you're grappling with depression, anxiety, life changes, grief, health concerns, or interpersonal difficulties, I'm here to support you. Everyone deserves a listening ear and encouragement. Together, we can cultivate effective coping strategies to navigate life's uncertainties. I'm eager to collaborate with you!

Immediate availability! I focus on treating anxiety; depression; trauma; alcohol and substance abuse; gambling and other addictions; aging; gender identity; and relationship issues. Navigating life’s challenges can leave us feeling unsure of how to move forward, or that we are not our best selves, or that we are not living in a way we want to be living. Each of our paths through life are different, and each of our challenges are different. Some of us have challenges at work or at home that we aren't handling well. For some, past experiences can complicate how we live our current lives.

Everyone wants to be their best selves. Adjusting to change and facing new challenges affects our health and happiness. You need to be able to vent about life stressors and decompress. We all need that from time to time. You have the ability to improve resilience, change perspective and accept those things beyond your control.

Hello, I'm Samantha Powell, a licensed clinical social worker. My professional journey includes diverse experiences spanning developmental disabilities, child and adolescent psychology, as well as adult and geriatric clinical settings. I've worked in various environments, from inpatient psychiatric treatment homes to women's shelters, school-based therapy, and individual counseling. My expertise encompasses addressing anxious behaviors, grief, depression, self-harm, relationship issues, trauma, and a range of other challenges that may hinder individuals and families from realizing their fullest potential.

Hello there! I'm Jillian, a Licensed Professional Counselor & a nationally approved clinical supervisor. I'm deeply passionate about the work I do & find genuine fulfillment in assisting others. In my practice, I operate on the belief that therapy is a collaborative partnership. You're in the driver's seat & I'm here to provide the map, guiding you towards your desired destination while offering unwavering support. Recognizing life's inevitable challenges, I understand the strength it takes to seek assistance. I hold the belief & practice in my relationships, that it's both a privilege & an honor to be a part of someone's journey.

You don’t have to handle everything on your own. Working with a therapist who you feel comfortable talking to, who makes you feel you are not alone, and who listens to you with authentic compassion and respect can help you see options and pathways you did not realize were there. We all can benefit from a guide to walk with us through the more difficult and confusing times of our lives.

I'm Anastasia Lidestri, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in New Jersey. With over 5 years of experience in mental health, I've helped individuals of all ages navigate challenges like Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Low Self-Esteem, and more. My approach blends empathy and evidence-based techniques, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, to empower individuals in coping with life's hurdles. I believe that you hold the keys to your own growth, and I'm here to support you on your journey towards discovering your best self!

Maybe things didn't turn out exactly as planned. You had hopes and expectations about what life "should" look like. You might be feeling paralyzed by decisions, anxious, lost, or alone. Maybe you’re having second thoughts…What if this isn’t exactly the situation you wanted or the future you dreamed it would be? Change isn't easy, but with the right support, it is possible. I primarily work with female-identifying adults, as well as teens and adolescents who are navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, trauma, narcissistic abuse, grief, and codependency.

The Center for Marriage and Family Therapy has five offices throughout central New Jersey. Jackie Held, Karen Spiler and Jill Stein founded the Center in 1984. We refer to a large network of affiliated therapists whose specialties include relationship counseling, anxiety, depression, separation and divorce, gay and lesbian issues,grief therapy,stress management, victims of spousal abuse, chronic and terminal illness and dealing with life stage transitions. In addition to Toms River, our offices are in Matawan, Freehold, Piscataway and Princeton. Our network includes licensed professional counselors, licensed clinical social workers and substance abuse specialists.

Nicholas Gish is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 10 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults of all ages. Nicholas's specializations are in trauma, depression, anxiety, victims of crime, and sexual abuse. Nicholas graduated from Georgian Court University with a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. He has spent the past decade working in many different areas of the mental health field including autism programs, partial care programs, in-home counseling, and community counseling.

Hello, I'm Kevin Murphy, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive experience offering psychotherapy across diverse mental health environments. From leading adolescent intensive outpatient groups (IOP) to assisting older adults facing profound physical and cognitive hurdles in long-term care facilities, I've encountered a broad spectrum of challenges. I firmly believe that everyone encounters tough times and can benefit from professional support and guidance. Together, we'll collaborate to devise a treatment plan tailored to your unique strengths, aspirations, and obstacles.

Hello, I'm Jessica, a clinical social worker with over a decade of experience across inpatient and outpatient settings. My work has focused on supporting individuals facing challenges such as depression, anxiety, trauma recovery, life adjustments, and substance abuse. I firmly believe that everyone encounters overwhelming moments and that having a safe environment to explore desired life changes is crucial. No one should feel isolated in their struggles, and I'm here to provide support every step of the way.