Trauma and PTSD Therapists in Franklin Park, NJ

I work primarily with adults and specialize in anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (including complex or developmental PTSD) as well as depression, relationship issues, performance enhancement and work stress. Please don't hesitate to call me if you have questions. You will find additional information on my website at www.drlaurakogan.com.

Hello there! I am licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor (LCADC) based in New Jersey. I received my master of social work degree from Rutgers. I have been helping individuals navigate through stress, depression, grief, anxiety, and trauma to come out the other side stronger, healthier, and more resilient.

We all have our secrets, our stories, our pasts. Through therapy, my hope is to help you find a path out of the woods and back into the light. I believe in developing skill sets and finding insight to promote healing from the myriad of difficulties that can be faced throughout one’s life.

Life is full of changes and challenges. Some are easier; some are harder. When life becomes difficult, we often turn to others for help. For many, therapy can provide the safe place to work on the harder issues. Therapy can offer the opportunity to discover more about yourself, who you are, what you want and how to get there. It takes courage to take the 1st step - to call someone you don't know and then share personal information. I believe that the relationship between you and your therapist has to be built on trust and respect. I will provide you with a safe, non-judgmental and confidential place to begin the process.

The world can be a beautiful and wondrous place that offers adventure and exciting challenges, but is also often difficult and filled with losses, struggles, and traumas. I believe that each of us has the capacity to heal, grow, and thrive. You may be feeling turned around and stuck, perhaps as a result of chronic stress, difficult relationships, loss, oppression, and traumatic events. OR you may be doing well and looking to deepen your connections to self and others. Wherever you are in your journey, I am dedicated to providing you with a safe space, keen clinical judgment, and compassionate honesty to help you achieve your goals.

I work best with South Asian clients who are ages 12 & up and are struggling with being motivated in school, at home or amongst their peers or in their relationship. Client often gets into a power struggle with their parent/guardian, teachers or significant other and the root cause can be anxiety, depression, anger, self-esteem and/or trauma. Clients who experience such concerns often have a tough time putting their emotions into words and feel overwhelmed by the daily tasks that are being demanded from them. Clients will begin to learn how and why they communicate the way they do to become a better version of themselves.

I have over 20 years of clinical experience working with individuals and couples from different backgrounds. Mental health can be compromised by chronic stress that negatively affects our mind and body. Stress can result from living challenging workplace environments, family difficulties, personal emotional problems, the experience loss or trauma. I have particular expertise in helping those living in intense high pressure environments stressors that may have caused depression and anxiety, identity concerns, relationship problems, workplace conflicts or academic difficulties, family problems, and serious mental health challenges.

Are you someone who is looking to get a deeper understanding into your thoughts, emotions and overall mental health well-being? I have a few years of experience working with adults dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, self harm, relationship/dating issues, life transitions and sex-related issues. I work with BIPOC adults, South Asian immigrants, couples, college students, immigrants, tech workers, LGBTQ+ folks, other therapists, and first timers in therapy. I take into account your life experiences, cultural background and your goals, to be able to tailor therapy that meets your need.

I strive to provide a safe and comfortable environment where you will learn to utilize skills, determine strengths, and establish and complete goals as you move toward becoming your best self

I created Balancing Life Counseling Center out of a desire to provide support and restoration of balance to the lives of children, adolescents, adults and families experiencing psychological distress.

Practices that include modalities with Eclectic theoretical orientation. Counseling everyone regardless of background purely on presenting health issues. Using integrative approach to whole person restoration of functioning. Mindfulness, Cognitive,Logotherapy, Motivational Interviewing. Transfigurative Hypnotherapy is strictly for pain management, sleep disorder, anxiety and relaxation. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). We proudly embrace the ethical values of the APA, AACC, ACA and NBCC (National Board for Certified Counselors) that respectively advice counselor to practice within their competencies (training).

Whether you are dealing with the loss of a loved one, coping with an illness or disability, struggling with caregiver stress or adjusting to a life transition, my customized approach to psychotherapy can help you move forward to a brighter path. I offer an eclectic approach to psychotherapy, drawing upon a variety of different techniques to help you identify your goals and achieve a better quality of life.

At Princeton Family Institute we provide psychotherapy to families, couples and individuals from a culturally sensitive collaborative family systems perspective. I work with a range of problems:depression, anxiety, school refusal, child behavior problems, arrested emotional independence, substance abuse recovery, anorexia, and family and couples' conflict. In child-focused issues, I believe children should not alone bear the burden of change. I enlist family members as a resource in problem-solving. Parents and I work as a team to help their children. I welcome individuals, couples, and families whose problems have not been successfully addressed through other therapeutic approaches.