Find a Therapist in Totowa, New Jersey.

Talk is powerful. Through talk we can learn how to listen, how to better understand ourselves and those around us, and begin the process of change. As a therapist, my goal is to listen to you and your needs so that I can give you the tools to move forward in your life and towards the goals you want to accomplish. In my practice I have helped individuals and couples deal with anxiety, depression, infidelity, and many life changes and challenges, and I know that no problem is too great too overcome. When you're ready for a real conversation, let's talk.

Psychotherapy is the path to self knowledge, to help you find cliarity in not only what you want, but why you feel a certain way that you do. Over the years we endure traumas and life events that impact how we feel about ourselves and how we interact with the world around us. Through psychotherapy we can explore what it is that you want and who it is that you are.

Many studies have found psychotherapy to be an effective and valuable method to treat a variety of conditions, including depression and anxiety. Psychotherapy can give you the insights and tools you need to help ease your distress. During therapy sessions you will learn to overcome the emotional and behavioral issues that keep you from having the life you want. We will work together towards improving your mental wellness in a safe and supportive space.

Psychotherapy provides a unique opportunity to explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviors in the context of a relationship that is safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental. In this space it is possible to gain insight into patterns that might be harmful and/or holding you back from realizing your relationship, career and family goals and potential. I am certified in cognitive processing therapy and EMDR, both evidence based practices for the treatment of traumatic experiences and/or PTSD. Additionally, I am trained in interpersonal psychotherapy, motivational interviewing, and frequently use elements of mindfulness based practices to treat depression and anxiety.

Psychotherapy is the use of psychological methods to help a person change behavior and overcome problems in a positive manner. Its aim is to help people understand the thoughts behind feeling anxious or depressed and addressing these thinking patterns. Psychotherapy will help you change behaviors and habits that are limiting you, to experiencing your fullest potential.

I care deeply about the people I work with and offer a personable and warm approach to psychotherapy. I integrate a variety of therapeutic techniques, including CBT and Insight Oriented Therapies, and I tailor my sessions to meet your unique needs. My clients learn coping skills to address daily stressors, and how to alter negative self-talk that exacerbates anxiety, depression, and feeling out of control of their life. I help my clients explore patterns of thoughts and behaviors, and to address the root of what is troubling them. I center our work on building a strong therapeutic relationship where clients feel at ease, and are fully seen, without fear of judgement or rejection.

Unhappy uncooperative children and teens often do not want to go to psychotherapy because it focuses on their negatives behaviors. I have developed child-friendly techniques that are highly effective because they are fun and entertaining. When children enjoy coming to therapy they are open to constructive criticism and are willing to try new patterns of behavior. The success that results raises self-esteem and fosters empathy for others.

Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a powerful tool for treating a variety of mental health conditions and life challenges. It provides a safe, confidential space to express emotions, identify patterns, and gain insights into one's thoughts and behaviors. Different therapeutic approaches, tailored to the individual's needs, empower the person to manage symptoms, resolve conflicts, improve relationships, and enhance overall quality of life. By fostering self-understanding, resilience, and healthier coping strategies, psychotherapy promotes personal growth and well-being, paving the way for positive change.

Psychotherapy as a beautiful art crafted from the authentic, therapeutic interaction between the therapist and the client. I am confident about my many therapeutic approaches, but my most important tool is my effective use of myself in helping you. I encourage your reflection between sessions on what we discuss in therapy and give you homework to facilitate integration of therapy objectives to help you reach your therapy goals.

One of the most life altering actions when seeking to gain traction in the struggle to live a satisfying life is the choice to work with a therapist. It signaled a ground-breaking change in our approach to meeting the challenges we faced; demonstrating a shift that embraced the possibility of tapping into knowledge and support outside our own skull. Most of us have a better ability to see and understand the actions and motivation of others than our own. We all have personal blind spots. This is evident early in therapy, when one experiences striking progress as a result of new insights gained in therapy.

Psychotherapy also known as talk therapy allows me to enter into a professional and trusting relationship in helping my clients work through, cope and solve their own problems. This relationship with help to facilitate effective communication and change. Once I have established a relationship with my clients and identified their need; I use a mix of clinical interventions such cognitive behavioral, strengths based, solution focused, gestalt, and person-centered.

Talk therapy can help you become your true self. I have worked extensively with adults and have a good understanding of childhood issues.I work with individuals and families from an interpersonal approach with a focus on emotions.I believe that all people have resources to solve problems.I am easy to talk to and I have great listening skills. I have worked many years with adolescents in public education. I have had great success with them because I understand what it is like being an adolescent today. I also have an extensive background in substance abuse.

I believe that each relationship is a unique interaction, and tailor my approach to each client’s needs, integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, and a Humanistic approach. This eclectic approach provides you with a personalized treatment plan meant to fit you and your needs, enabling you to feel understood and empowered.

I recognize that no two people are alike and there is no one size fits all for treatment. I work collaboratively with clients to identify the specific needs and challenges that they would like to address. Together, we then determine which interventions will likely be most helpful for achieving one’s goals. I have extensive experience helping clients with a variety of challenges, including managing acute and chronic stressors, overcoming mood and anxiety symptoms, managing relational stress, gaining control of self-defeating habits and behaviors, and coping with sudden and expected losses.

Although I am licensed as a psychoanalyst in New York, over my 37 years of practice I have also trained in Gestalt therapy, bioenergetics, art therapy, psychodrama, group therapy, couples therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Thus I am eclectic and I apply whatever modality is needed in each case. Over the years I have developed a reputation as a psychotherapist who genuinely cares; and those clients who make a commitment to therapy make real progress.

Psychotherapy is something that can help you understand yourself better, and how you function in the world. It can help you understand patterns in your life that may be troubling for you and help to create positive change. I work with people to help them understand their belief systems, the meanings they make of experiences, as well as understanding messages they received from their families. People need a safe place to open up and explore these issues with confidentiality, which is something I provide for my clients.

My philosophy of therapy and change is that change comes from within. As a therapist, I ask a great deal in asking an individual to change, as change is an incredibly difficult task for everyone. The journey of change requires both the client and myself to work collaboratively throughout this journey. It is for this reason that the rapport between the client and myself is critical. I aim to provide all my clients with the space to explore their underlying feelings, thoughts, and behaviors so that they can engage in change.

I look at thoughts and feelings what is important to you to give you a clearer approach to your path in life and what may be getting in the way. You may have an idea of how you want to be helped, and I will formulate a specific idea of how I can best help you. The reason that I like doing this kind of therapy is it is deep work that can be life changing.

My approach to psychotherapy is mainly insight oriented. I tend to provide a lot of insight to the client's life situations, while aslo actively listening to their situations. We work on proiritizing what is important for the client so that we can focus on the client's goals. Each client will work toward their goals in each session while establishing a theraputic relationship.

I want you to know that you will get through this season and that healing is possible. My clients often see significant improvement within two months of starting therapy, though many are also looking for longer-term support. I’ll start off by hearing your story and walking you through a set of questions to help me understand your symptoms and your therapy goals. Depending on your goals, I will suggest the best treatment approach, possibly dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or Mindfulness-Based Stress Relief. In session we'll do things like talk about your experiences, practice meditation, and take small steps to change and heal.

As experienced, highly-credentialed clinical psychologists and couples counselors, Dr. Joel Stukalin and Dr. Sara Mandelbaum have the necessary background to conduct short-term or psychoanalystic psychotherapy with clients. This means that clients can decide to work on direct symptom-relief or more comprehensive therapy that may lead to a deeper understanding of inner-conflicts, self-aspirations and unconscious processes. In order to do our psychotherapy compassionately and effectively, Dr. Joel and Dr. Sara collaborate closely with clients to understand their initial motives and unfolding goals within the psychotherapy process. Clients often benefit from this higher standard of care.

Together we will explore the roots of your unhappiness and sources of stress. We will formulate a plan to address these issues by making new choices, challenging unhealthy beliefs which may hold you back from living a more peaceful life. In changing your beliefs and behaviors, you will grow into a new sense of empowerment and regain a joy in living.

Psychotherapy can be an effective approach when you’re feeling “stuck” with a particular life situation. It can help you better understand why you’re thinking, acting or feeling the way you do. It can be hard to make sense of our behaviors at times, and I approach psychotherapy with the goal of finding your puzzle pieces and putting them together so you can feel whole.

My approach to psychotherapy starts with you--hearing the story the pain or difficulty you're carrying, the goals you have for your wellness, and the relationships you want to strengthen. I work with children, teens, adults, and couples and help with challenges like depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, sexual abuse and assault, grief, and anger management. In my work with teens and adults, I use a blend of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and strength-based approaches that start with a culturally sensitive lens. With couples, I draw on the Gottman Method to promote healthy communication and emotional connection. Play, art, and creative therapies help me connect with children.

When clients graduate from treatment, they take with them a box full of "tools", such as effective anger management techniques, avoiding confrontations that lead to negative expressions of anger, resolving conflict peacefully and quietly, making the right decisions in every aspect of life, and perseverance to always build skills against life's problems and apply them consistently.