Psychodynamic Therapists in Lawrence Township, NJ

Therapy is about establishing re-connection. Re-connection to others (friends, family, partners, etc) of course, but primarily re-connection to Self...our feelings, our thoughts, our beliefs, and a sense of safety in our bodies. If you struggle with depression, anxiety, dissociation, substance abuse, self-harming, or other self-sabotaging behaviors you just may be trying your best to survive intolerable circumstances as you move through this world. Without a safe connection to Self, relationships to others are inevitably disrupted.

I have over 30 years of expertise in working with clients of all ages and with a variety of issues. My goal is to teach you how to get in touch with your innate ability to heal yourself. Once you become centered in your core self you will develop coping skills that will provide you with the ability to handle the multitude of challenges that we all face in our lives.

My ideal client is a young adult under the age of 35 who may have difficulty with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, adjusting to new circumstances, stress, family strain, relationship issues, and cultural stress.

I have 30 years of experience in a range of settings with people of many different backgrounds. My professional experience in concert with my personal journey enable me to focus on the person in the room and strive to understand their unique needs, goals and how psychotherapy can help in this process. I believe that the psychotherapy relationship provides an ideal forum for helping people move towards optimal functioning framed by their values and goals. I provide a safe place to address issues of mood, thinking, behavior, transition, adjustment, interpersonal conflict, anxiety, trauma and any other life challenge.

I am firm believer in the philosophy that the only constant in life is change. I work together with my patient to allow them to recognize that accepting change is an important quality for a successful and happy life. I value specifically tailoring a treatment plan to the individual to ensure we have a compassionate and understanding relationship on the road towards personal betterment/growth. I treat children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. I also provide counseling to couples and families.

Welcome to my practice. I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 12 years of experience working with depression, anxiety, ADHD, adjustment disorders, and relationship conflicts. It is often difficult to decide to come to therapy, but this decision could be a life transforming experience. I'm here to help. I firmly believe in providing a safe and supportive environment that cultivates trust, empathy, and genuine care. My approach is soothing, engaging, and informative.

As an African American psychologist, I work with people of all faiths, races and walks of life. As a Believer, I believe in the power of faith and therapy to help towards healing. It will be a blessing for me to help you on your journey.

Welcome to Best of You, where I am committed to partnering with my clients to assist them in evolving into the best possible version of themselves. This collaborative process begins with a focus on building a strong therapeutic alliance grounded in trust and acceptance. I will provide you with a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space to identify and explore patterns of thinking and behavior that no longer serve you. I will assist you in harnessing your resilience whether it be to bravely face past trauma, break unhealthy patterns in your relationships, or connect to yourself and others in a more meaningful way.

My ideal client is facing challenges with past trauma. This client has suppressed their trauma but recently has difficulty sleeping, lacks motivation, is disconnected from friends, and feels empty. They have sought therapy to start addressing the needs mentioned above, but as they begin engaging with me, they realize that they have recollections of trauma endured at an early age. Additionally, this client has been unable to address this trauma with family due to difficulty communicating and impacting the family dynamics. They want to be able to talk to family members without feeling shame and also build coping skills to heal.

My ideal client is one who is willing to explore uncomfortable areas in their life and understand that vulnerability is part of the process. One of the most important parts of therapy to me is highlighting accountability and what roles we play in our own lives. I enjoy working with clients who are struggling with relationship issues, self-esteem, irrational thinking, and life adjustments. A client who can pinpoint what they would like to improve in their life and request a little bit of guidance along the way is an ideal client. Their goal is not to be perfect but to improve their day-to-day life a little more each day.

What is Art Therapy? This is the number one question asked of me. Briefly, as defined by the American Art Therapy Association (AATA), "Art therapy is a mental health profession in which clients, facilitated by the art therapist, use art media, the creative process, and the resulting artwork to explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior and addictions, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem. A goal in art therapy is to improve or restore a client's functioning and his/her sense of personal well-being." The creative process lends itself readily to meeting the individual where they are at in the present moment. My personal style mirrors this. I utilize both the non-verbal and verbal processes to facilitate understanding, awareness and growth. My particular areas of expertise are grief/loss, attachment issues (i.e.foster care/adoption), trauma, mood instability, and disordered personality.