Play Therapy in Pittstown, NJ

During these uncertain times, feelings of worry, sadness, anger and loneliness are more common, but you are not alone and do not need to face these feelings in isolation. My goal is to support you as we work together in a safe, non-judgmental environment where you will find compassion, understanding and resolution. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist I have 20+ years of experience counseling children, adolescents, and adults specializing in anxiety, trauma, depression, stress, parent/child attachment, grief/loss, family issues, child play therapy and parent training for adoption/foster care.

I offer appointments (8am - 8pm) in my new office space (and online)! Creating and clearing space to change unfamiliar and familiar stress is a really big part of therapeutic healing. These struggles often cause avoidance, overthinking, big emotions, or unhelpful habits and attitudes, which tend to cycle and leave you to feel unresolved. Becoming clear about struggles, then learning new ways to cope creates room for amazing change in your today; unraveling confusion, gaining clarity and moving toward to a more, meaningful, congruent and focused life. Individuals (child-adults), couples, and families are welcome!

I help clients live a happier and more meaningful life by overcoming barriers they are facing, such as anxiety, depression, behavioral disorders, developmental challenges, and struggles with substance use and other addictive behaviors. If you are dealing with any of these issues and are ready to make a change in your life, I would be happy to join you in the journey of improving your life!

We work with young children between 4-12 doing play therapy (which can incorporate CBT, Choice, or Solution Focused modalities); as well as tweens and teens, and individual adult clients. We can provide cooperative parenting sessions for divorced or divorcing couples, and parent coaching for families in need. Currently a Certified Play Therapist. Some of the issues we work with include: anxiety; separation anxiety; specific phobias; depression; oppositional defiant disorder; anger management; low self esteem; ADHD; coping with death; adjustments to divorce or new baby; sibling rivalry; and school issues.

Everyone needs a good counselor to process through their world. I dedicate myself in helping individuals, children and marriages improve their lives in ways that truly work. My own life struggles lead me to be a genuinely caring therapist who loves to see people set free and living their best life! Imagine better communication, thinking and freedom from strongholds that have been burdening you down? I am a Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor, licensed by the NCCA since 2009 in many different venues from in home crisis centered therapy, running a house for the state of NJ for adolescents and now my own private practice.

The past few years have been extremely difficult for so many and may have caused or exacerbated emotional health issues. It’s normal to feel stuck, lost or a need to recover lost parts of you. I can help you if you feel weighed down or drained of energy, feel depressed or have anxious thoughts, or lack enjoyment in your life like you use too. I know it can be hard to take the first step and ask for help, however, a new transition and transformation for your life is just around the corner. My professional focus is to work with individuals to help them find a greater sense of self and purpose in the midst of life's hardships.

My primary interest is treating different aspects of trauma and Post Traumatic Stress disorder in adults and children. Trauma takes us out of our window of tolerance where we function optimally and either leads to a fight or flight response or dissociative numbness. It can also lead to a repetition compulsion when we repeat various aspects of the original trauma or redirected aggression treating others like those who caused us harm. I have a great understanding of trauma especially related to attachment disorders in children such as Reactive Attachment Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder as well as PTSD in adults

*I'm accepting clients with am/early pm availability* Unhelpful behaviors, emotions, thoughts, & beliefs sometimes indicate we don't have the words&life experiences on which to reflect and find solutions/hope. These can be an expression of unmet needs, uncommunicated truths, insufficient coping skills, and can be signals that something is not OK. There is hope. People can communicate, heal, grow, understand, empathize, & manage their lives to thrive, succeed, and feel satisfied. Together we can find a way. I also coach parents to help best understand/communicate with their child/teen/developmentally disabled adult child.

I specialize in providing counseling services to clients who are 12 years of age and older, experiencing grief and loss, divorce, bullying, life changes, and low self-esteem. I have extensive experience working with teens and young adults navigating life's many obstacles. My objective is to create a safe and empathetic environment where clients can freely express themselves, without the fear of being judged or shamed. I'm here to support you through your struggles and help you find the strength and resilience to overcome them.

I am a Licensed Therapist and Life Coach. I strive to provide gentle, non-judgmental and compassionate support, yet will also challenge you to grow and evolve into the best person you can be. Through thoughtful inquiry and investigation into your personal challenges we will explore those places that keep you stuck. If you are seeking to grow personally, professionally, creatively, emotionally, and spiritually, call for a free consultation. Together we can begin a journey that will take you to unlimited places. The destination is to reach your truth, so that you can begin to live a more joyful, meaningful, and authentic existence.

Stuck in a rut? There's a way out. I specialize in sex therapy and trauma. I have extensive experience in individual, couples, family and group psychotherapy. I use methods that examine the root causes of behavioral and emotional patterns which lead to depression, anxiety, alcohol dependence, substance abuse, thought distortions, relationship attachments, erectile dysfunction, or vaginal anesthesia. Where medication is ineffective, intensive therapy sessions have the power to change the paralyzing state of our psychological and physical condition. The causes may be situational, easily detected, but others may be deeper, stored in our rigidified muscles, buried in the remote recess of our minds.

Ellie Mental Health Central NJ isn’t your average therapy clinic. We’ve created a comfy, judgment-free zone where you can be authentic, get real about where you’re at in your mental health, and receive the compassionate care you deserve. We strive to break down treatment barriers and provide you with customized counseling services that meet your therapy needs.

The journey of life can be difficult. You don’t have to travel through the difficulties alone. I have developed a nonjudgmental safe place with programs that promote healing and hope. For more than 25 years these programs have helped with Marriage, Communication, Addiction, and Abuse, We will work together to identify needs and work towards having those needs met. I welcome the opportunity to help you find solutions. If you are not interested in Faith based Counseling please let me know, and I will help you reach your goals.

When I think of my work as a therapist, what lifts my spirit is the enormous potential of people for living a full life; a potential they are often unaware of. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Therapy helps to identify them and develop the tools to improve their lives. The goals: enhanced self-esteem, reduced tension, more expressiveness....a fuller life. Whether I work with the child, adolescent, adult, individual, couple or family, I find the work inspiring.

We are all more alike than we are different. We grow into ourselves as a result of our relationships and our experiences. We want to live our best lives with a sense of meaning, purpose and belonging. Yet, for many, the challenges of everyday life; work, school, family, relationships, decisions about what to do or what direction to take, feel overwhelming and unmanageable. Therapy is a collaborative process; a journey toward increased understanding and insight.

Difficulties and struggles can provide an opportunity to grow stronger and wiser. Your decision to seek counseling and choose a therapist is a tremendous step. In a caring and nonjudgmental environment, we’ll identify current issues that interfere with your goals and healthy living. You will gain understanding, and build skills to move forward in your relationships and life. Our collaboration can bring a greater potential for happiness; a journey to well-being that can begin right now.

Have you ever felt like the world was ending or has your mind raced with a million thoughts and worries? Have you ever experienced high conflict in a relationship thinking things will never change? Did you ever struggle to accomplish what you think are basic tasks or lack the motivation to get out of bed in the morning and brush your teeth? Sometimes life can just feel overwhelming. These struggles are more common than you think and you are not alone.

The first step is where growth begins. I am a Licensed & Registered-Board Certified Art Therapist providing in person or virtual individual therapy sessions with children and families, adolescents, adults, and seniors. Dynamically integrating how art raises your awareness and improves personal growth and the well-being of individuals. Clients and I will utilize and engage a variety of art modalities and techniques, intertwined with diverse psychological approaches alleviating the effects of stress, trauma and anxiety on the mind, body and soul.

I work with children, adolescents, and adults. My direct work focused on providing counseling services to parents and their children. Services provided included case management, individual therapy, family counseling, marital therapy, and psychoeducation. In addition, my experience lies in working with anxiety, depression, life transitions, anger management, parenting education, children's behavioral issues, and relaxation/mindfulness. I am also certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and I pride myself on consistently attending new trainings and webinars to stay educated and informed.