Multicultural Therapists in Fair Haven, NJ

Whether you struggle with mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, or even stress, each client is met where they are at and given the best tools and opportunities to expand and build their favorite version of themselves. If you want to prepare for an anticipated stress, trying to sort out daily life, improve communication within a relationship, finding balance, you want to find someone you feel comfortable with to express yourself in a judgement free environment.

I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and licensed clinical alcohol drug counselor (LCADC) as well as co-founder of In Tandem Therapeutic Services. For over 20 years I have been working with individuals at-risk or involved in the legal system. Through personal and professional experience, I have an interest in guiding clients through life transitions, such as healing from divorce, legal issues, relationships, anxiety, and depression. My therapeutic approach is tailored to your unique needs, integrating innovative coping skills, and assisting you gain a deeper understanding of yourself.

At Emerging Wellness LLC we collaborate closely with you for individualized care and guidance to align with your values and needs. We are trained with CBT, DBT, solution-focused, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing to assist you in addressing various mental health, substance use, and eating disorder diagnoses. We provide individual therapy to adults that are seeking changes with their moods, behaviors, life changes, or career changes. If you are seeking guidance and change to achieve better wellness and balance in your life, call us today!

The world is full of diverse individuals and families, all of which experience real and sometimes unique struggles. When looking for a therapist, you want to know they get it. I have been working and volunteering within the LGBTQ+ community for last 10 years; so I understand the need to feel safe and understood. I am skilled at providing a comfortable, judgement-free environment for us to collaborate in. I offer competent and compassionate therapy services to fit your needs and help guide your journey. My practice is guided by my beliefs in social equity, body integrity, and harm reduction.

As a counselor, my goal is to inspire actualized change. A large part of that process is forming a strong working relationship to determine where you find fulfillment, derive meaning, and how you exist in the here and now. I'm a firm believer that the worldview we hold and the narratives we perpetuate dictate how we navigate life's nuances so, we often start there. Once we strip the old stories and ego, what are we left with? On the other side of anger, self-doubt, anxiety, self-criticism, depression, grief, addiction, or whatever your concerns may be—Who are you? I'm excited to embark on the journey to that state of being with you.

Every person has the potential to create positive change in their life. Often many things get in way to achieve those goals, such trauma, depression, anxiety and fear. Far too often we struggle internally and not knowing where to turn. When life gets hard it is always wonderful to have someone there to help walk alongside with you through the hardships in life. My goal is to make this therapeutic experience as pleasing and positive for you. I am here to guide you through those hard patches along the way based on your needs.

I can rattle on about my 30 years of experience and training and all of that but it’s not what drives my passion and love for this work. I believe in the healing power of relationship itself. Building trust and sharing human connection is what creates the safe bond that is necessary for processing pain, trauma, and all of the other stuff of life! How’s that for clinical jargon?! What I want to convey is love above all else, which you will find here in our work together. And not to worry, loving and receiving love can be hard especially if you've struggled in your life. Learning how to love will become your greatest superpower.

Kat Schaffer

As a psychologist, I appreciate the opportunity to witness peoples’ capacity for not only surviving, but also thriving in today’s complicated world. My experience over the past decade has brought me to understand the many ways a therapist’s role is akin to that of a gardener tending to a lotus. Just as the young lotus needs tender care and stillness, I provide a safe, nurturing and collaborative environment. Respecting the lotus’s need for sunlight, I approach therapy with warmth, openness and humor. As a Confucian scholar once said, “I love the lotus because while growing from mud, it is unstained.”

There is no on-size-fits-all approach to therapy. I will provide you with a safe, non-judgmental, culturally sensitive and trauma-informed space for you to feel comfortable and work collaboratively with me through psychodynamic approaches to individual and relationship therapy.

Are you overly attentive to other people's moods/feelings? Is it difficult to trust others? Do you often feel not good enough? Is it difficult to know what you want because you worry so much about what is expected of you? Do you experience guilt often? Do you resist asking for help or mentorship due to fear of being criticized or judged? Is it very difficult to ask for what you need in relationships? Feel the need to fix or manage your closest relationships? Carrying resentment, avoiding conflict and fear of rejection is heavy, isolating, disempowering and keeps you stuck in a vicious shame inducing cycle.

My therapeutic focus is to help my clients to feel comfortable taking up space in their life. To “take up space” may mean to improve self-esteem, build self-awareness and self-compassion, overcome unhelpful tendencies, navigate different types of relationships successfully, or to recognize and appreciate your own strengths. We start in the therapeutic space and work to expand this confidence through setting goals and building skills. Therapy can be challenging and uncomfortable at times, but it will also be meaningful and full of connection.

In addition to maintaining a clinical practice, I am chair and professor in the Department of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Emory & Henry. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, specializing in grief counseling, trauma work, relationship concerns, and family conflict. I am an LGBTQ+ affirmative therapist. I am also trained in experiential modalities including Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and EMDR. Please reach out if you would like to schedule a quick call to see if we would be a good team!

My therapeutic style focuses on creating a supportive and collaborative relationship with the individual that is affirming and non-judgmental. As part of the Counseling with Joe Zdeb LLC team, our practice focuses on supporting the individual as well as the whole family while providing individualized informed therapy. My approach is to allow the individual to have a better understanding of themselves and to guide them to grow and heal from issues they face.

Are you seeking compassionate and effective counseling support for yourself or a loved one? Imagine a counselor with exceptional communication skills, a strong work ethic, and a deep commitment to understanding your unique needs. Whether you're facing Depression, ADHD, anxiety, anger management, marital issues/couples and family therapy, or grief, I provide a safe, supportive space for healing and growth. In addition, I have vast experience in pastoral care, premarital, couples, and grief counseling, offering a solution-focused approach tailored to your specific challenges. I can be available and accessible to meet your needs now.