Find a Therapist in Hackensack, New Jersey.

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.

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.

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 a safe place in which you learn to tell your truth. Psychotherapy has been called the "talking cure" because it has demonstrated, again and again, that telling your truth, your story, to someone who is empathetic and neutral reliefs symptoms such as depression and anxiety. However, psychotherapy is much more that just telling your truth; as a therapist, I am listening to what you are saying and what you are not saying, and I will make connections between "dots" in your life and share them with you. This process will help you look at your life, your relational patterns and your reactions from a different perspective allowing you make long lasting change.

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.

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.

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 am successful. I have what I thought I wanted I should be happy but I feel like a failure and why don’t people understand what I am going through? Does that sound like you? Then you are in the right place. When you feel this way it time to look at your life, relationships and where you want to be. With a free consultation I can get you started.

If you find yourself struggling with the same old issues to no avail, I can help. Using a collaborative approach, I will work with you to identify the feelings, beliefs and behavioral patterns keeping you stuck. We will get curious about the narrative you have about yourself and question long-held ideas of what you should and shouldn't do and be. Through this process of exploration, discovery and growth, you will open up to new ways of understanding yourself, the world, and what is truly possible for you.

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.

I use an approach called positive psychology. Our primary goal in working together is guiding you toward a more happy, meaningful and fulfilling life. From work, to marriage, to social relationships, and raising children, you will learn effective emotion coaching kills that you will be able to apply across all areas of your life. Together we will increase positive emotions, engagement, meaning, and relationships in your life. We will conduct a character strengths test and begin working with your strengths across all areas of your life. I will show you how to use self concordant goals in order to achieve desired results in your job, marriage or with your children. Self concordant goals are goals that you choose that are aligned with your deep personal values and interests.

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.