Therapists in Monmouth County, NJ

My belief is life can be good. I have confidence that together you and I can bring health into your situation. As a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist, I have over 20 years experience with individuals, families and couples resolving struggles and improving life. My training enables me to look at problems in the context of all areas of your life; including, but not limited to, family and other important relationships, jobs, illnesses, and stressors. I incorporate Christian spirituality, if that is your desire.

I am a TEP, ACS, LPC, NCC and an Approved Clinical Supervisor. I am the owner of The Spring Lake Heights Counseling Center and the International Institute for Souldrama®. I have been practicing individual, marital, family and group psychotherapy for adults and children for over 30 years. I am a trainer, educator, and practitioner of group psychotherapy and psychodrama and am renowned in my field as an innovator, author, and teacher. I offer supervision for mental health professionals and training in action methods as well as a two year training program in Souldrama. I specialize in groups, relationships, training and supervision.

My personality is very calm and supportive. I like to create a space that is free from judgment and I keep an open mind for whatever you would like to bring to therapy. My approach is very empathetic and encouraging. It is my hope that you will feel like I am on this journey with you, as a guide and source of support. I will offer validation and comfort, but will challenge you when it’s needed. I enjoy working with people who know they need a change, and are open to the challenge of taking on this change. Just know that you will not have to do it alone.

Looking for culturally-sensitive therapist that seeks to build a brave space for his clients? Looking for a therapist who will bring his authentic self and help you build the courage to bring your authentic self? Looking for a nonjudgmental therapist? I am here!!! I seek to build a strong relationship with my clients that is open, honest, courageous, and collaborative where their needs are met. I am accepting all clients, no matter the background or presenting concern. I look forward to working with you.

Seeking therapy can be a significant and powerful first step in one's journey towards healing and fulfillment. I am an empathetic and compassionate therapist who is committed to building a strong and trusting therapeutic relationship with my clients. My goal is to create a safe and inclusive environment for clients where they can engage in self-exploration, growth, and healing. I understand and value the importance of genuine human connection and therefore focus on creating relationships with my clients where they feel understood and where they can have the freedom to fully embrace their authenticity.

I am a licensed psychologist in NJ, NY & PA for over 35 years. I incorporate a holistic approach, emphasizing mind, body, spirit and emotion. I am passionate about our work together & I still approach each person enthusiastically & with great respect. My work increases your ability to feel, to love, to hope, to heal, and to succeed. Clients are helped to problem solve and live in joy and peace rather than in pain and fear. This process involves in depth explorations of understanding purpose in life via prayer, mindfulness meditation, exploring and understanding thoughts, emotions, behaviors & the importance of true spirituality.

The mind is where everything is processed which determines how an individual thinks, believes, and reacts to the game of life. Blurred vision does not discriminate. It can allow unwanted thoughts to take over and set the individual on a path that is not demonstrating a "Beautiful Expression of Life". Everything starts and ends in the mind therefore, the life scripts of your mind (way of thinking) needs to be accountable to living life more abundantly and loving yourself. This premise is crucial as one navigates life's relationships of spirituality, family, vocation, and leisure.

We all face struggles, be it difficult relationships, ongoing anxiety, compulsive behaviors, or stressors at work being involved in traumatic experiences. Whatever the issue, it can be challenging to manage negative thoughts, stress and tension in your body. Many of the people I work with have experienced very traumatic life events, grew up in abusive homes, and find themselves in difficult situations today. I've worked with many people with PTSD, acute stress disorder, and similar trauma-related diagnoses who are looking for significant, positive long-term change.

“Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” My therapeutic approach is client-centered, focusing on strengths and empowerment. I believe every person is unique, possessing their own special gifts and strengths to be drawn upon in their personal goals for change and growth. My goal is to assist individuals to address the complex and painful challenges they are facing with the realization that no situation is too difficult, nor any unhappiness too great to overcome. Focus is placed on the ability to view stumbling blocks of life as building blocks of character and strength.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor with post graduate work in Holistic and Integrative Health Studies, I am dedicated to providing a therapeutic space to help clients cope with all of life's challenges and stressors. I specialize in grief and loss, relationship issues, family systems, self esteem, trauma, anxiety, depression, post traumatic distress and mood disorders.

It is said that the family is the “factory” where people are made. We learn to react in certain ways within our families which can affect how we develop, as well as our relationships and behaviors. Life can take unexpected turns and the challenges presented at such times can be difficult to work through alone. I seek to help my clients navigate and maneuver through these times by creating a safe haven from which to work through their challenges. I am committed to empowering individuals, strengthening relationships, and strive to create equilibrium within families.

Are you struggling with irritability, depressed mood, overwhelming anxiety, or even preoccupations with how others perceive you in the world? Do you wish you could step into life without reviewing the worried thoughts in your mind? Perhaps you have feelings of sadness, guilt, shame or find yourself growing impatient with your loved ones or the world around you. Carl Jung once said: Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves. Are you ready to discover new ways to walk out this life of yours?

Immediate Availability - In Person and Telehealth! Throughout the years of working as a therapist I have met many wonderful people and I value the time I have worked with them and witnessed their resiliency and strength. My clients experience a range of issues and walk many different paths of life. In recent years, I have narrowed my focus to working with clients searching for meaning and purpose in one's life, adjusting to significant life events and most recently specializing in resolving marital/family conflict and working with families through divorce.

Ideals are encouraging yet present challenges of their own. Unmet expectations often lead to feelings of loneliness, depression & anxiety. Do you care “too much” and feel deeply? Admirable traits, which overspent create dissatisfaction. How to find the balance, is the pinnacle question. Understanding and capitalizing upon experiences strengths & deficits, all the integral parts of us, is not always easy. Each individuals' journey is unique, and integrating all components yields the most authentic and comprehensive self. In therapy expect judgement-free self exploration supported by hope, insight, and skills development.

As a trauma-focused therapist, I often work with people who feel “stuck.” Stuck in old patterns, trapped in grief, lost in pain from the past, or just stagnating. With advanced training in Natural Lifemanship Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (NL EAP) and full certification as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, I can help you find your way towards holistic healing. Therapy with horses is profoundly transformative, helpful for a wide range of difficulties, from life adjustments and anxiety to PTSD and severe depression. If you've hit a wall with office-based talk therapy, my four-leggeds and I are here to help you reach your goals!

Carl Jung once said "Im not what happened to me, I'm what I choose to become". Life produces circumstances which weigh one down, cause a sense of burden, oppression, even feelings of guilt and shame. Here at Take Courage Counseling the journey is a gentle and a secure passage towards empowerment, security, and insight into the matters which we once allowed to take our power.

My expertise is addiction. Through group and individual counseling, I offer you the opportunity to look at your self-destrutive behaviors and bring about a positive change in your life. The specialties listed are those that might relate to substance abuse.

It is not easy to be a human being. My work focuses on helping individual and families address the barriors to an open hearted acceptance of the challenges we all face--- the challenges surrounding love and loss. None of us has been perfectly parented and yet we all need to find our way to successful work and successful relationships. My task as a therapist is to help my clients find the resources within themselves and within their world to enable them to live imperfect yet happy and productive lives.

In all his work, Chris always looks towards your empowerment and in that provides guidance and helps you to truly recognize your strengths and how to build upon them. Most every appointment is available and is as effective by phone or video chat (Zoom or FaceTime), and can further be more expeditiously scheduled these ways. Guidance, support, and objectivity are key elements in any service provided along with the addition of any tools and action plans as appropriate that have you manifest more of what you want being an active agent of your own change. Chris' experience is with ages 4 and up with children, adolescents, and adults.