Find a Therapist in Cliffside Park, New Jersey.

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.

Hello! I am currently scheduling individual consultation meetings for adults who are considering group psychotherapy. Therapy groups are for adults with mixed issues who are evaluated to be compatible with one another. Consider exploring an extremely powerful technique that often helps people more expediently than individual therapy! After an initial individual intake meeting we will decide if there is a group in my practice that is appropriate for you. Groups are open ended in duration and in an open format that is guided by the therapist towards interactions and topics that are beneficial to the members. I look forward to speaking with you to explore this treatment option.

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.

We are charting a new path that brings outcomes focused therapy to you. We simplify over 100 years of proven psychology and make it meaningful to your needs, goals, and journey. Our approach is adapted to fit your specific needs. Together, we map your path forward with our LifeMAP — a unique set of tools we have developed to clarify your goals, transparently track your progress, and move you towards your destination, so you can see and feel the progress being made.

When I work with clients in psychotherapy my focus is on careful listening to their emotional experience and responses. I am especially attuned to listening and learning about the quality of their closest connections. Oftentimes when an individual, couple or family is in pain it is nearly always an indication that their most important relationships are suffering in some way. My listening and responses are focused on the clients experiences with those that matter most to them and to help them find ways to express what they truly need and want from those that they are most emotionally dependent upon. I help them connect with that vulnerable place within them.

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 will be a collaborative, warm, trauma informed approach. Utilizing different mechanisms in order to explore how to make a better version of yourself and improve your wellness, recovery process, and mental health. Incorporating learning new healthy habits will take place. Increased confidence, self-esteem, and building on your self worth will take place.

Many people say, "The past is the past," or "I want to leave the past behind." I support these statements, as long as the past is actually there...in the past. Many people find that their current experiences in life and relationships mirror situations from their pasts. Without meaning to, you may re-experience pain and/or discomfort in areas such as work, home life, parenting, marriage, or dating that feel familiar from early life experiences and relationships. This is common. Learning about your patterns is the beginning to making more positive choices for yourself.

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.

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 signals a ground-breaking change in our approach to meeting the challenges we face; demonstrating a shift that embraces 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.

I believe that an attuned and empathic relationship is the basis for effective therapy. Therapy can provide the space to address difficult life issues with support and guidance. I work to create an atmosphere of safety and respect in which issues can emerge, be understood and resolved. Psychotherapy can lead to deep and lasting change, and empower you to live life to the fullest.

CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) targets maladaptive thoughts and behaviors, promoting change through cognitive restructuring and behavioral techniques. ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) focuses on reducing anxiety by gradually exposing individuals to feared stimuli without engaging in compulsive behaviors. EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) aims to strengthen emotional bonds in relationships by fostering empathy and communication skills. Each approach offers unique strategies for addressing psychological issues, empowering clients to overcome challenges and achieve greater well-being through evidence-based interventions.

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.