Somatic Therapists in Waldwick, NJ

Does it feel like your past continues to have an impact on your current relationships, ambitions, or self-esteem? Are the residual effects of traumatic childhood experiences or lifelong insecurity making it tough to embrace life’s highs and navigate the lows? If the weight of intense emotions, inner criticism, or anxiety feels overwhelming, perhaps now’s the right time to reach out for help. Let’s work together to untangle your concerns and safely trace their roots back to those old wounds that have been longing to heal!

Do you stay up at night worrying about your teen or college student? Do they constantly fight with you, struggle at school or have trouble with peers? Are they complaining of anxiety, fears, overwhelming sadness or stress? Are you are mother who is drowning in the pressures of managing parenting, marriage, family and work while fighting through your own trauma, depression, poor body image, chronic people pleasing, low self esteem and anxiety? Relief can be had! I’ve spent the last fifteen years helping young people and mothers navigate through the ups and downs of life In addition to talk therapy, I am trained as an EMDR therapist.

Deciding to start therapy can feel both scary and relieving. It can also be really difficult to find a therapist who you feel is a good fit for you. As a licensed therapist, I'm dedicated to helping people overcome challenges. As a mom, wife, sister, daughter, friend, and human, I understand life’s complexities. I assist clients dealing with issues like anxiety, depression, time management, organization, life transitions, executive functioning struggles, work-related stress (corporate and non-corporate), family dynamics, school, and social concerns. I work with adolescents, college students, young adults, and adults.

As a Licensed Professional and Creative Arts Therapist, I utilize various modalities within a somatic approach. These include guided visualization alongside bilateral drawing techniques for trauma incorporating the polyvagal theory and parts to whole relationships. Restoring the body, mind, and spirit aid's in increasing one's self-esteem, resolving conflict, healing trauma, grief and loss, and addressing underlying layers causing stress, illness, and psychological ailments. I'm passionate about supporting clients through life's challenges with intuition, empathy, and skillful understanding weaving old narratives to greater health.

My experience in forensic, inpatient and outpatient environments has given me the breadth and depth to understand complex psychological difficulties. I specialize in working with trauma clients and am certified in EMDR and have training in somatic experiencing. I have extensively studied the neurobiology of trauma and trauma treatment. I am intensively trained in DBT and work with clients in DBT and CBT.

Anxiety, depression, trauma and addiction can be enormously challenging. They are often intertwined with physical issues and can disrupt lives, including the lives of the people around them. As a therapist with over 30 years of experience I can share the good news that healing is possible when given the right care. My expertise is helping people with complex issues get strong and move beyond the their past. I offer a deeply compassionate, non-judgmental presence, so clients can feel safe, hopeful and heal. My experience as clinical director, clinician and supervisor allow me to bring you the highest level of evidenced based care.

Therapy, and life, are non-linear. In our work together you are welcomed to feel - to feel deeply, express, process, and with time move through your emotions. If you are living in a state of overwhelm, are struggling through transitions, or are feeling disconnected from your body, know that you are not alone. In our work together, we can explore where you are, what is impacting your mood, and how to create meaningful and lasting change. Whether you are dealing with recent challenges or want to process and find relief from older patterns, I will hold a supportive and compassionate space for growth, understanding and self-development.

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.

If you're feeling stuck, going through a major life transition or trying make changes in your life, let's work together to break your old cycles, feel empowered with forward movement and heal from your past. I specialize in working with older teens and adults who want support with anxiety, depression, decision paralysis, ADHD and burnout. You'll get to use creative, somatic and experiential approaches, in addition to traditional talk therapy, so you can start to feel and make changes sooner rather than later.

I enjoy my work as a therapist. The cornerstone of my success is my ability to provide a safe environment, listen intently, and genuinely engage with the individuals and families that I meet. Perhaps you are on the precipice of change, and you just can't take the first step. Maybe you are taking inventory of your life, and you need guidance on how to sum up your past and learn how to make new decisions in this moment with your eyes wide open. Together, we can sort out the transition and help you move toward positive transformation.

If you often feel taken for granted, hurt, emotionally exhausted, under-appreciated, resentful or left feeling guilty when saying no to others it is likely that your boundaries are often crossed. Do you often find yourself over-explaining, feeling guilty if people are disappointed with you or not wanting to rock the boat? One of the most painful tasks in relationships is setting and maintaining healthy boundaries. We all have an internal gauge for how much to give or take. Nonetheless, when we were raised on not having emotional needs, setting boundaries becomes very taxing and confusing because we learned how to hide our feelings.

Every person has their unique journey to healing and self discovery. In experiencing my own life challenges, I found healing through immersing myself in mindfulness practices and looking deeper within myself. Since then, I knew my purpose was to help others heal in their life journey as well. I have since have been helping others achieve their personal goals of understanding themselves, their relationships with others, coping with their fears, and embracing new beginnings. Sessions are approached from a traditional and holistic perspective, giving consideration to the overall mind, body, spirit, and emotion of the person.

Are you feeling that life is more difficult than it should be? Do you think you might be suffering from anxiety or depression? As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I understand these feelings can be very painful, scary, and all-consuming. That is why I use a collaborative, non-judgmental approach during the course of therapy. My work begins with listening to my clients with compassion. Once that connection is made with a therapist, I believe the client is on the road to having a brighter future. I look forward to speaking with you, and answering your questions.

Spectrum Health and Wellness is a leading provider of individual, family, and community mental health care for transgender individuals and their families. Through our unique, systems-based approach to therapy, we partner with all of our clients through their process of transition, offering affirmative, needs-based, knowledgable care. All of our therapists are anti-oppressive gender specialists, and members of the World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH).

Many of my clients feel stuck or have reached an impasse in their lives that they have not yet been able to find a way around. Many feel frustrated, or even doubt that it will get better. Many are feeling overwhelmed with chronic stress, feel exhausted, and keep pushing themselves to pull through. Many, understandably feel they have to do it themselves and know of no other way of being. I find working with these strong individuals to be the most rewarding, as I feel honored to witness their meaningful process unfold.