Find a Therapist in Bayonne, New Jersey.

My practice is based on an Integrative approach to psychotherapy and health and lifestyle. Expanded creativity and general ability for one to make positive changes is the goal. Neuro scientific research has shown that psychoanalysis evokes lasting change. Psychoanalysis makes use of metaphor, dreams, art, writing, and poetry for individual expression.

I am honored to work with individuals and couples from many different walks of life. My approach is rooted in respect, authenticity, and collaboration — always holding you as the expert in your own story. In our work together, I strive to create a space that feels safe, supportive, and genuinely affirming, where you can explore challenges honestly and move toward healing, growth, and deeper connection.

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.

Our credentialed music therapists tailor sessions to each individual, utilizing personalized music exercises and interventions to address each person's unique symptoms or concerns. Our music therapists work with each client using musical elements like songwriting, processing, and guided imagery to help clients find their own voice and path on the journey to mental wellness.

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.

As a clinical social worker, I focus on building a strong therapeutic alliance that relies on your strengths to help you bring change in your life. Together we will develop a caring and supportive environment to help you melt away your suffering and expand your capacity for work, love, and establish genuine connections. Through our encounters, you will learn new skills that will help you overcome adversities and inner suffering. My therapeutic approach combines cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and insight-oriented interventions to help identify the negative beliefs that have prevent you from achieving your goals and experience greater joy.

Psychotherapy, encompassing modalities like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), offers a powerful and multifaceted process for addressing a wide range of mental health concerns beyond just depression. Through the therapeutic relationship, individuals gain a safe and supportive space to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. CBT equips clients with practical tools to identify and modify unhelpful patterns, fostering healthier coping mechanisms and improved emotional regulation. EMDR, when appropriate, can address the impact of past experiences and traumas that may underlie present difficulties, facilitating emotional processing and reducing their lingering effects. This holistic process empowers individuals to gain self-awar

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.

In my approach to psychotherapy, I create a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in depth. I use a personalized, client-centered approach, drawing from various therapeutic modalities to address each individual’s unique needs. Through our work together, clients gain greater self-awareness, uncover patterns, and develop healthier coping mechanisms. My goal is to empower individuals to overcome obstacles, improve emotional well-being, and foster long-term personal growth and resilience.

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.

I provide compassionate, confidential and professional therapy services for marriage and relationship issues, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, divorce and loss. I help couples dealing with conflict, communication, intimacy, and sometimes, infidelity. I work with individuals coping with depression, low self-esteem, relationship issues, an affair, divorce and loss. It's important to me to help my clients feel safe, supported and understood as they discuss difficult issues. I'm open and accepting of all backgrounds, lifestyles and beliefs. I encourage to take the first step and contact me for a free phone consultation.

Beginning therapy does not have to be intimidating. Most people find that they feel a sense of relief immediately after scheduling the first appointment, and feel even better after the first session. It is important, though, that you find a therapist that you feel safe and comfortable with. Clients describe me as warm and approachable, with a positive an practical approach to solving problems. I tend to focus on the positive as much as possible and to build on the natural strengths that we all have.

For the past 12 years, I have been helping individuals, couples and families heal themselves, their relationships and childhood hurts. I facilitate this by being compassionate, creating a safe environment and caring about my clients. I help my clients build higher self-worth and strengthen their relationships. In a very short time, I can provide you with the tools to communicate effectively, manage difficult feelings and not take others' behavior personally.