Narrative Therapists in Scotch Plains, NJ
I utilize an eclectic mix of Spirituality, Nature, Narrative, Cognitive, and Contextual approaches to facilitate empowered and enlightened shifts of positive change for my client(s).
I am a diverse Systemic Psychotherapist practicing in New Jersey and New York with a specialty in Marriage & Family Therapy. I will work with you to engage in maximizing functioning in your current relationships and how you interact with the world. Together we will work on you creating the narrative you wish to express more authentically in your personal relationships, work environment and your greater relationship circle(s). I have experience working with clients with a strong focus on life transitions, families in crisis, and those shifting careers and engaged in reinvention.
I utilize an eclectic mix of Spirituality, Nature, Narrative, Cognitive, and Contextual approaches to facilitate empowered and enlightened shifts of positive change for my client(s).
I am a diverse Systemic Psychotherapist practicing in New Jersey and New York with a specialty in Marriage & Family Therapy. I will work with you to engage in maximizing functioning in your current relationships and how you interact with the world. Together we will work on you creating the narrative you wish to express more authentically in your personal relationships, work environment and your greater relationship circle(s). I have experience working with clients with a strong focus on life transitions, families in crisis, and those shifting careers and engaged in reinvention.
"What good is psychotherapy if you're up to your a** in alligators?" A phrase that was used by my favorite professor in graduate school. My goal as a licensed clinical social worker is to meet individuals where they are in life presently, whether they need to process ongoing psychological challenges, or current anxiety and stress related to everyday concerns. With my patients, I want to help process through feelings, thoughts, and behaviors and help facilitate a better understanding of any underlying issues. Ultimately, helping individuals to be able to live a more healthy and productive life.
"What good is psychotherapy if you're up to your a** in alligators?" A phrase that was used by my favorite professor in graduate school. My goal as a licensed clinical social worker is to meet individuals where they are in life presently, whether they need to process ongoing psychological challenges, or current anxiety and stress related to everyday concerns. With my patients, I want to help process through feelings, thoughts, and behaviors and help facilitate a better understanding of any underlying issues. Ultimately, helping individuals to be able to live a more healthy and productive life.
to examine deeply and thoroughly motivations, emotions and behavior, especially interpersonal; focused on positive changes leading to long-lasting existential and transformational life improvements and increased self-awareness; responsible in accepting that these changes will affect-for the better- lives of loved ones, friends and other significant persons (including those that are not yet around) ; increased openness towards life-changes ; to take calculated, rational risks, mindful of other persons; serious commitment to longer-term therapy when indicated to be necessary, in order to achieve the above desired results.
to examine deeply and thoroughly motivations, emotions and behavior, especially interpersonal; focused on positive changes leading to long-lasting existential and transformational life improvements and increased self-awareness; responsible in accepting that these changes will affect-for the better- lives of loved ones, friends and other significant persons (including those that are not yet around) ; increased openness towards life-changes ; to take calculated, rational risks, mindful of other persons; serious commitment to longer-term therapy when indicated to be necessary, in order to achieve the above desired results.
Jay has field experience working with adults re-adjusting back into the community as they overcome mental, physical, and emotional disabilities. Jay has been working with children and adolescents for the past 5 years in a partial hospitalization program, providing group, individual and family therapy across different roles and modalities. Jay has encountered those who are working through depression, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, ODD, parenting challenges, cultural conflicts, and Autism. Jay takes on a person-centered, nurtured heart approach that allows the client to build a safe and nurturing environment during the therapeutic process.
Jay has field experience working with adults re-adjusting back into the community as they overcome mental, physical, and emotional disabilities. Jay has been working with children and adolescents for the past 5 years in a partial hospitalization program, providing group, individual and family therapy across different roles and modalities. Jay has encountered those who are working through depression, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, ODD, parenting challenges, cultural conflicts, and Autism. Jay takes on a person-centered, nurtured heart approach that allows the client to build a safe and nurturing environment during the therapeutic process.
Phil Smyth (adolescent/teen specialist)
Counselor, LAC, CADC
Verified Verified
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
I am a licensed counselor with years of experience treating teen/adolescents and their families. My areas of specialty and focus are depression, anxiety, low self esteem, mood disorders, and trauma. The driving force behind my practice is to create a nurturing environment where kids can grow into healthy adults with learned coping skills and a better understanding of their own identity.
I am a licensed counselor with years of experience treating teen/adolescents and their families. My areas of specialty and focus are depression, anxiety, low self esteem, mood disorders, and trauma. The driving force behind my practice is to create a nurturing environment where kids can grow into healthy adults with learned coping skills and a better understanding of their own identity.
My Ideal client would be someone willing to put in the work to achieve their goals. My ideal client may be struggling with self-esteem, body image, or relationship issues. They may be in a relationship that contributes to their low self-esteem and want to find the strength and confidence they need in order to leave it behind.
My Ideal client would be someone willing to put in the work to achieve their goals. My ideal client may be struggling with self-esteem, body image, or relationship issues. They may be in a relationship that contributes to their low self-esteem and want to find the strength and confidence they need in order to leave it behind.
I am a licensed professional counselor that has been working in behavioral health for over 20 years. I am a lifelong resident of South Jersey and obtained my Bachelors and Masters degrees from La Salle University in Philadelphia.
I am a licensed professional counselor that has been working in behavioral health for over 20 years. I am a lifelong resident of South Jersey and obtained my Bachelors and Masters degrees from La Salle University in Philadelphia.
Richard Vereneck (adolescent/teen specialist)
Licensed Social Worker, LSW
Verified Verified
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
I am a LSW with years of experience treating teen/adolescents and their families. My areas of specialty and focus are depression, anxiety, low self esteem, mood disorders, and trauma. The driving force behind my practice is to create a nurturing environment where kids can grow into healthy adults with learned coping skills and a better understanding of their own identity.
I am a LSW with years of experience treating teen/adolescents and their families. My areas of specialty and focus are depression, anxiety, low self esteem, mood disorders, and trauma. The driving force behind my practice is to create a nurturing environment where kids can grow into healthy adults with learned coping skills and a better understanding of their own identity.
My ideal client is female, male, or nonbinary and is kind and generous, has good ethics, and loves to help others. They have been experiencing low self-esteem and have been numbing out emotions through food, technology, work, or other distractions. Their numbing-out practices have held them back from being their authentic self, productivity with work, maintaining healthy and loving friendships and relationships, having enough energy, and their overall self-esteem. They are ready to commit to putting in the work in therapeutic services to help them develop and maintain healthier coping skills.
My ideal client is female, male, or nonbinary and is kind and generous, has good ethics, and loves to help others. They have been experiencing low self-esteem and have been numbing out emotions through food, technology, work, or other distractions. Their numbing-out practices have held them back from being their authentic self, productivity with work, maintaining healthy and loving friendships and relationships, having enough energy, and their overall self-esteem. They are ready to commit to putting in the work in therapeutic services to help them develop and maintain healthier coping skills.
I love working with all different types of clients, and I find that I learn from those that I work with. I love working with anyone who wants to make a change or achieve a goal.
I love working with all different types of clients, and I find that I learn from those that I work with. I love working with anyone who wants to make a change or achieve a goal.
My ideal clients are people who have been unable to find someone they can pull back the veil covering their heart because of past betrayals, lack of trust, cultural roadblocks, or some other barrier that keeps the true source of their burden hidden. You are looking for a space where you can be honest, not with me, but with yourself. You're looking for someone who can listen without judgment and accompany you on your healing journey. You are seeking someone to either walk with you through your journey and hold you accountable for the goals you set for yourself or for someone who can simply listen with an open mind.
My ideal clients are people who have been unable to find someone they can pull back the veil covering their heart because of past betrayals, lack of trust, cultural roadblocks, or some other barrier that keeps the true source of their burden hidden. You are looking for a space where you can be honest, not with me, but with yourself. You're looking for someone who can listen without judgment and accompany you on your healing journey. You are seeking someone to either walk with you through your journey and hold you accountable for the goals you set for yourself or for someone who can simply listen with an open mind.
15 Second Videos
Jay Serrano
Diana Cofsky
Melissa Cramutolo
Ivy Horan
Madison Kurz (adolescent/teen specialist)
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LSW
Verified Verified
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
I am a LSW with years of experience treating teen/adolescents and their families. My areas of specialty and focus are depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, mood disorders, and trauma. The driving force behind my practice is to create a nurturing environment where kids can grow into healthy adults with learned coping skills and a better understanding of their own identity.
I am a LSW with years of experience treating teen/adolescents and their families. My areas of specialty and focus are depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, mood disorders, and trauma. The driving force behind my practice is to create a nurturing environment where kids can grow into healthy adults with learned coping skills and a better understanding of their own identity.
I thrive when working with young women. Whether they’re struggling with school-related stress or struggling to process a breakup, I can quickly build rapport with folks in this demographic. My treatment plans include goals dedicated to helping people identify their triggers for emotional dysregulation. I believe in the importance of somatic and cognitive level wellness strategies and work to have my clients learn and implement both sets of skills. I have enjoyed working with a variety of diagnoses, including adjustment disorder, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and PTSD.
I thrive when working with young women. Whether they’re struggling with school-related stress or struggling to process a breakup, I can quickly build rapport with folks in this demographic. My treatment plans include goals dedicated to helping people identify their triggers for emotional dysregulation. I believe in the importance of somatic and cognitive level wellness strategies and work to have my clients learn and implement both sets of skills. I have enjoyed working with a variety of diagnoses, including adjustment disorder, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and PTSD.
Are you struggling with anxiety, depression, anger, or the loss of a loved one with a sense of feeling lost, hopeless, and without purpose? Are you struggling with life transitions & open to delving deeper to explore those issues? I primarily work with men like this, who have arrived at this point in life feeling "stuck" or "at a dead end," struggling with relationship issues and feeling disconnected & frustrated. My job is to help you re-negotiate your relationship with your feelings, see you as okay, and understand the meaning of your upbringing or narratives you've learned on "how you ought to be."
Are you struggling with anxiety, depression, anger, or the loss of a loved one with a sense of feeling lost, hopeless, and without purpose? Are you struggling with life transitions & open to delving deeper to explore those issues? I primarily work with men like this, who have arrived at this point in life feeling "stuck" or "at a dead end," struggling with relationship issues and feeling disconnected & frustrated. My job is to help you re-negotiate your relationship with your feelings, see you as okay, and understand the meaning of your upbringing or narratives you've learned on "how you ought to be."
Joe Grosso (adolescent/teen specialist)
Counselor, LPC, MA, ATR-P
Verified Verified
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
I am an LPC with years of experience treating teens/adolescents and their families. My areas of specialty and focus are depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, mood disorders, and trauma. The driving force behind my practice is to create a nurturing environment where kids can grow into healthy adults with learned coping skills and a better understanding of their own identity.
I am an LPC with years of experience treating teens/adolescents and their families. My areas of specialty and focus are depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, mood disorders, and trauma. The driving force behind my practice is to create a nurturing environment where kids can grow into healthy adults with learned coping skills and a better understanding of their own identity.
My ideal client needs help with the services I specialize in. I typically consider the client's current habits and strengths to guide us on where to start goal setting. Showing up to therapy is a huge step, and I commend any client who takes that initiative.
My ideal client needs help with the services I specialize in. I typically consider the client's current habits and strengths to guide us on where to start goal setting. Showing up to therapy is a huge step, and I commend any client who takes that initiative.
Melissa Barua (adolescent/teen specialist)
Licensed Social Worker, LSW
Verified Verified
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
I am a Licensed Social Worker with years of experience treating teen/adolescents and their families. My areas of specialty and focus are depression, anxiety, low self esteem, mood disorders, and trauma. The driving force behind my practice is to create a nurturing environment where kids can grow into healthy adults with learned coping skills and a better understanding of their own identity.
I am a Licensed Social Worker with years of experience treating teen/adolescents and their families. My areas of specialty and focus are depression, anxiety, low self esteem, mood disorders, and trauma. The driving force behind my practice is to create a nurturing environment where kids can grow into healthy adults with learned coping skills and a better understanding of their own identity.
Melissa Cramutolo
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCADC
Verified Verified
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
I am a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) specializing in the treatment of trauma and addictions. I am passionate about walking clients through the healing journey, and believe that through facing our struggles we are able to find and embrace our unique strengths and purpose.
I am a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) specializing in the treatment of trauma and addictions. I am passionate about walking clients through the healing journey, and believe that through facing our struggles we are able to find and embrace our unique strengths and purpose.
Rodney Washington (adolescent/teen specialist)
Licensed Social Worker, LSW
Verified Verified
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
I am an LSW with years of experience treating teen/adolescents and their families. My areas of specialty and focus are depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, mood disorders, and trauma. The driving force behind my practice is to create a nurturing environment where kids can grow into healthy adults with learned coping skills and a better understanding of their own identity.
I am an LSW with years of experience treating teen/adolescents and their families. My areas of specialty and focus are depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, mood disorders, and trauma. The driving force behind my practice is to create a nurturing environment where kids can grow into healthy adults with learned coping skills and a better understanding of their own identity.
Sarah Kotz (adolescent/teen specialist)
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LSW
Verified Verified
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
I am a LSW with years of experience treating teen/adolescents and their families. My areas of specialty and focus are depression, anxiety, low self esteem, mood disorders, and trauma. The driving force behind my practice is to create a nurturing environment where kids can grow into healthy adults with learned coping skills and a better understanding of their own identity.
I am a LSW with years of experience treating teen/adolescents and their families. My areas of specialty and focus are depression, anxiety, low self esteem, mood disorders, and trauma. The driving force behind my practice is to create a nurturing environment where kids can grow into healthy adults with learned coping skills and a better understanding of their own identity.
See more therapy options for Scotch Plains
Nearby Narrative Therapists Searches for Scotch Plains
- Berkeley Heights
- Chatham
- Cranford
- Iselin
- Mountainside
- Plainfield
- Rahway
- South Plainfield
- Springfield
- Summit
- Warren
- Westfield
Narrative Therapists
Is narrative therapy evidence-based?
Narrative therapy is not well-studied, and it may not be as effective in treating mental health conditions when compared with evidence-based treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Some small studies do show that depressed and anxious individuals who were treated with narrative therapy reported improvement in anxiety and depression symptoms.
How long does narrative therapy last?
Narrative therapy is less structured when compared with psychoanalysis, for example. Narrative therapy is more open-ended and may not be limited to a set number of sessions. It is common for clients to be in therapy for a few months, and sometimes a year or longer. Patients see their therapist one to two times a week, though the exact schedule and timeline may vary depending on a person’s challenges and progress. Individuals can also practice the principles of narrative therapy after treatment has ended.
Does narrative therapy work?
Narrative therapy can help a person manage or reduce symptoms of conditions like depression or anxiety. This type of therapy encourages a person to reflect on the moments of their life when their particular problem was not at the forefront of their minds—perhaps life celebrations, achievements, and other successes. The individual is encouraged to rewrite their storyline as if their particular problem was not part of their life. This therapy may offer benefits that are hard to measure.
What are the possible limitations of narrative therapy?
Narrative therapy is person-centered or client-centered, and the health professional pays more attention to the subjective narratives that are constructed by the client, as opposed to other objective measures. The therapist privileges the individual’s perspective over all others. This open form may feel frustrating for individuals seeking a more structured approach; certainly, no one therapy type will work for every individual.