Preteen Therapists in Atlantic Highlands, NJ

Kat Schaffer

I have over a decade's worth of experience assisting diverse populations of children, adolescents, teens in crisis, adults, couples, families and individuals with advanced illnesses in managing and overcoming a wide array of issues including: emotional, physical and sexual abuse; trauma; adjustment difficulties; emotional, behavioral and relational disturbances; substance abuse; and gender/sexuality issues. Through my experience and training I have gained a strong understanding of diverse identities, including gender and sexual identities, as well as sexual and relational issues. Therefore, I am able to provide gender therapy for transgender and gender-expansive individuals from a non-pathological perspective.

Reaching out for help can be difficult. Often times, we tend to neglect the need for our own self-care as we tackle the challenges of daily life and take care of the ones we love. Platinum Counseling offers a comfortable and casual environment where you can feel safe and supported. We encourage you to discuss your vulnerabilities, without judgement, with professionals who want to hear about your experiences. We can provide you with therapeutic strategies and education to understand and tackle your challenges while increasing your motivation to fulfill your own personal goals. We encourage you to contact us.

With over 30 combined years experience, Grace Abounds Counseling specializes in individual counseling, couples therapy, child psychotherapy, adolescent psychotherapy, and family therapy.

As a Creative Arts Therapist I work toward fostering an atmosphere of relaxation, while inspiring communication through creativity. I work within numerous settings and populations including Monmouth Medical Center's In-patient Behavioral Health Hospital, servicing children and adults, MMC's Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder Outreach Program, Bristol Myers-Squibb Children's Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson, New Brunswick, and The PALS program at the YWCA Union County servicing victims of domestic violence. Working within these populations affords me the opportunity to engage with the patient as well as the whole family to allow for a comprehensive therapeutic approach.

Honestly, you've probably looked through many provider profiles by now and are wondering who to pick. It can be a tough decision and so I offer a 30 minute screening phone call to help decide if we would be a good fit for each other. I'll answer any questions that you may have and will refer you to another provider if I believe that they will be better suited to meet your mental health needs. I am person-centered and will be happy to serve you along this journey, making sure that your wants and needs are heard and making sure that you are the priority in your own treatment.

Welcome to my page, I am so pleased you have arrived here. Therapy is a wonderful tool that can help people going through a difficult moment. My aim is to connect with you through warmth, empathy and a non-judgmental ear so that you feel supported in facing your challenges, both past & present. Life offers unexpected obstacles but working with a therapist can help you to feel strengthened and less alone. I enjoy partnering with my clients and sharing tools that can help them manage their inner world. If you want to heal or make a change, we can work on it together in a safe space.

My goal with each client is to cultivate a collaborative atmosphere that is conducive to change and growth. This can only occur when clients are treated as individuals who know they will receive consistent, compassionate and transparent care. This starts with developing and fostering therapeutic relationships that encourage each individual to realize (or rediscover) a path that will help them develop a greater sense of personal fulfillment. I am comfortable and confident treating clients who are experiencing difficulty adjusting to life events or transitions, as well as those who are continuing to seek understanding, perspective and guidance with long standing challenges and concerns.

I have worked with individuals, couples and groups for the past 30+ years. My interest is in being a catalyst for change - helping people find and lead more fulfilling lives - has not wavered but rather, increased. It has, and continues to be an exciting privelege for me to be invited into my clients' lives with the common goal of facilitating new personal insights and enhancing relationships both at "home" and in clients' broader social communities.

We are all bright souls, but sometimes we lose our inner light along the way. We go through times in our lives where we feel unhappy, anxious or stuck. We experience a tragedy or a difficult situation that doesn't make sense to us. Or sometimes, we just want more out of life, but are not sure what that means, or how to get it. We all deserve to feel happy and fulfilled. I work with clients who know what is wrong and need guidance to improve it, as well as those who are not sure what the problem is but want to explore it and take steps to make it better. In short, I strive to help clients find their inner light again.

Life throws many challenges our way. While talking to someone isn't always easy, it is the first step to creating a happier life. With 8+ years of experience I have helped children, adolescents and adults navigate through these challenges. My experience includes working with those who struggle with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, life transitions work/school challenges and parenting skills. With an emphasis on strengths, I believe in giving you the tools to overcome obstacles you are facing in a safe, non-judgmental space.