Trauma and PTSD Therapists in Cedar Grove, NJ

I see the counseling experience as being similar to solving a jigsaw puzzle. When an individual enters my office with a box of pieces, maybe having a partial picture, maybe some of the pieces seem lost; I see it as my responsibility to provide a safe and nurturing environment that allows the individual to explore the most difficult aspects of themselves so together the missing pieces can be found and the individual can create the whole picture they want to see.

I believe that developing a genuinely trusting and real connection with your therapist is one of the most important aspects of psychotherapy. Coping with any form of emotional distress can be a lonely and overwhelming experience, and trying to manage life’s demands while feeling physically or mentally exhausted may seem impossible. My first priority is to develop a collaborative plan together, to directly address your individualized treatment needs. I will provide an authentic, nonjudgmental environment that can help promote a sense of safety, support, positive change, and genuine insight into some of your presenting concerns.

The human experience is characterized by a blend of uncertainty and challenges that arise, demanding our attention and resilience. These challenges manifest in various forms, often triggering feelings of anxiety, sadness, and a sense of being lost and overwhelmed. However, what if amidst these struggles lies an opportunity for empowerment? What if we could reframe our perspective, viewing each day as an avenue for growth, learning, and self-discovery? By harnessing the power within our everyday difficulties, we have the potential to transform our mindset, cultivate resilience, and ultimately thrive amidst life's uncertainties.

My work is dedicated to helping you embrace who you are in order to live a fulfilling and balanced life. I focus on developing your ability to understand the powerful connection between your mind and body. This insight facilitates a path toward healing from current and past challenges. During the course of our work, I will help you develop your "Emotional Intelligence" (understanding of what motivates feelings and actions) and acquire the tools needed to overcome barriers blocking growth and change. Once you gain these coping skills, you will find yourself open to loving relationships, living in the present and creating a more fulfilling life.

Recovery is not a solitary journey; it is about connection with self and others. As we enter into the process of therapy you will have the opportunity to experience inner connection and awareness leading to Self expansion and outer growth. I believe strongly that our primary task is to continue your journey of self exploration; to seek the wealth of potential, strength, compassion, understanding, and openness that lies within. It is your ability to connect with these that will serve as your greatest asset in obtaining whatever goals you have coming into therapy.

If addiction has taken over your life, now is the time to do something about it. Life is too short to be unhappy. I offer a warm, confidential environment to help you find the clarity you need to break the cycle of addiction so you and those around you may lead happier lives. I also offer help for co-occurring issues: mood regulation, anxiety, anger management, trauma, and high functioning autism. I am trained in EMDR, Mindfulness Practices and Stress Reduction. In addition, I frequently work in consultation with other therapists' clients, providing EMDR and substance abuse assessments and treatment.

You have already made the first step in a what can be a very overwhelming process. Deciding to enter therapy and finding the right therapist is difficult. I want to ensure you that I will listen to your issues and help you develop appropriate coping strategies. I will provide a safe environment that promotes a comfortable atmosphere. My goal is to utilize my mental health and addiction experience to ease your pain and increase your well being.

Having worked with youth, teens, and young adults in areas such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, social skills, trauma, relationship problems, stress, and family conflicts. Sometimes, life can be overwhelming, and counseling is a positive first step toward overcoming these challenges. My objective is to help you acknowledge your strengths, celebrate them, and build on them while exploring any daily issues you encounter. I believe in developing meaningful and trustworthy relationships with my clients, and I will adapt to meet you wherever you are on your journey, allowing you to work towards your goals at your pace.

Listening to the narrative of every person's life is fascinating to me. I am empathic, interactive and am a firm believer that good therapy brings results that make people feel more comfortable, empowered, and gives you the strength that is needed to grow. Therapy begins with identifying destructive themes that repeatedly arise, and interfere with one's life. I believe that therapy should be transformative, and provide a healing experience. I am particularly skilled in working with panic disorder/, depression, divorce conflict, and trauma, including sexual abuse.

About Me: I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC), and an Accredited Clinical Supervisor in NJ with over 20 years of experience working with adolescents, young adults, families, and couples. My work over the years, particularly with people struggling with addiction, has demonstrated how physical and emotional trauma can affect our well-being and how a holistic approach can offer long-lasting healing and transformation.

If you’ve been feeling discouraged, disconnected, or constantly comparing yourself to others, maybe it’s time to talk to someone. Therapy offers a nonjudgmental space where the priority is building an affirming therapeutic relationship that lets us move at your pace toward your goals. I work with adults of all ages and walks of life who are facing life transitions, struggling with self-esteem, feeling stuck and “going nowhere,” or coping with past trauma. You’ll be able to discover the patterns that show up in your everyday life, identify the tools and wisdom you already possess, and heal the parts of you that need attention.

Every day we make choices, big and small. In doing so, we create our ever-unfolding life story. I work with my clients to better understand what their unique "storyline" has been about; how their "script" originally got written; and how their present life challenges can be opportunities for discovering hidden strengths. These strengths are very important, as they will serve my clients in their next life chapter.

Managing relationships, work, family, friends, school, career paths, and/or kids, can be complicated, frustrating, and exhausting. We do our best to navigate these experiences, but there comes a point when we feel stuck, depressed, anxious, confused, and/or lost. We typically do a good job of suppressing these issues, until we just can't do it anymore. When these times arise, which they always do, it is helpful to have a supportive, nonjudgmental guide to walk with you as you explore and navigate your thoughts and feelings.

I am a dedicated and passionate therapist who is invested in helping my clients. My warm and caring demeanor is combined with open and honest feedback, which allows for the processing of thoughts and emotions in a safe, nonjudgmental and validating environment. I consider you to be the expert of your life and I serve as a collaborator and supportive guide in your personal and unique journey. My approach to therapy stems from the importance of increasing self-awareness, identifying unhealthy patterns, and developing an understanding of what is holding you back from achieving happiness, positive self-esteem, and success.

Do you find that you're having difficulty adjusting to new circumstances? Maybe you're feeling anxious or depressed about life stressors such as work and/or school. Perhaps you want some assistance in navigating the relationships in your life. Most of us have been there at some point in our lives. How you experience your world and cope with your feelings influences every part of you. We each deserve a safe place to share these experiences, learn to cope with these feelings, and feel empowered to make a change. I strive to provide a nurturing, non-judgmental environment in which you feel supported to do just that.

Congratulations on taking the first step on your therapy journey! If you're feeling "stuck" and wanting something to change or need support working through life's difficulties, I can help be a guide. I often work with clients who experience high stress (job, caregiving, academic, parenting), unhelpful thoughts, and coping through transitions (medical illness, loss). Together, we'll dedicate time to unravel your thoughts, emotions and experiences so that you can find the best version of yourself. In therapy, you can expect an empathic, safe, non-judgmental environment focused on you and your goals.

Life can sometimes be overwhelming, full of surprises, and stressful. We may wonder how to face these struggles, experiences of sadness or anxiety, or difficulties in relationships. Often we can find ourselves feeling this way after changes in our family, the loss of a job or retirement, or the death of a loved one. There are times when we all need extra support to make it through the challenges we are facing. Therapy can help empower us to recognize inner strengths, develop effective coping skills, and enable personal growth.

Hello and welcome. It is easy to become upset when we experience hardships and lack a safe and supportive environment in which to work through them. Nor does it help when, owing to circumstances beyond our control, we find it difficult to be ourselves and lose touch with what makes us "us." What has been found helpful in such circumstances is a trusting and respectful relationship with a therapist. Such a relationship, and the insight it promotes, can facilitate growth, empowerment, and positive change.

I’m a goal-activating expert at helping people let go of emotional baggage and start living the life of their dreams. My priority in session is to make sure you get what you need out of the experience. Period. How do I do that? By providing a judgement free space to openly discuss and explore your “stuff.” And yes, we all have it! This “stuff” includes stress, anxiety, and other emotional roadblocks that are disrupting your life. I will help you identify faulty thinking patterns, confront your fears, and retrain your brain. This process is so powerful and transformative that it almost seems like a short-cut to achieving goals.