If there was one thing you wish people knew about the therapy experience who might be hesitant to try it, what would that be?
I would love for people to know that therapy is meant to provide a non-biased and non-judgmental environment to everyone who seeks it. It is important for others to know that therapy helps you to uncover perspectives that you may not have learned otherwise outside of it. It is tempting for people to go to their friends and family for advice and support on certain matters, but therapy helps the individual to cope with matters that they may not have otherwise learned.
In what ways have your personal experiences influenced your work with your clients?
Growing up as a teenager I was considered an unruly child. I gave my parents a hard time when they were raising me, and I definitely fit the mold of the classic rebellious teenager. Fortunately, I grew up out of this phase and was able to improve the relationship with my parents. From this experience alone, I feel that this gives me a great perspective and understanding why teenagers behave the way they do. As well as providing an understanding of the teen’s perspective, I also feel that this helps me in explaining to the parents of these teenagers what they can do in order to better understand their teenage children. In regard to my work with those who have suffered from traumatic experiences, I can relate to those people as well. I was temporarily physically disabled for a few months a few years ago and this drastically changed my life. It allowed me to understand the daily struggles that those with physical disabilities go through. As well as the daily struggles of getting around, this also helped me to understand how this affects and impacts the relationships that the disabled have with others as well.
What was your path to becoming a therapist? What inspired you to choose this profession?
This is an interesting story for me to tell people. If I am being honest, the idea of being a therapist and the idea of therapy itself was not something that interested me until only a few years ago. While studying for my Master of Social Work degree at Rutgers University, I had always dreamed of working in the hospital setting and doing mostly case management type work. I always enjoyed more faster pace type work and moving around constantly. During my time as an intern Hackensack hospital, I was required to also provide clinical services in the form of one-on-one therapy to teenagers struggling with type one diabetes. This was something that did not excite me nor was it something I was looking forward to, but it had to be done. As the time went on, I was informed by hospital staff that their patients had wanted to see me again one on one to talk about their issues. They felt they had a good connection with me which honestly surprised me at the time. I was acting myself with these patients and did not think that my interaction with them was anything significant. I was proven wrong. This then led me to the field of clinical social work and the idea of me possibly becoming a therapist. Since concluding my internship a few years ago, I've realized the power therapy can have with those who want to improve their lives. It provides a great space in a non-biased environment. This is what makes therapy to me effective.
Specialties
Depression
Depression often causes people to feel sad, empty, or hopeless, and can cause a lack of interest in life. It can also affect a person's thinking patterns and physical health.
Anxiety
Anxiety can mean nervousness, worry, or self-doubt. Anxiety disorder is a mental health disorder that entails excessive, repeated bouts of worry, anxiety, and/or fear.
Adolescent mental health
Adolescent mental health focuses on adolescent-specific experiences including physical and cognitive development, social and environmental factors, sex, sexual identification and orientation, emotional processing, and substance use. Given the influence that parents/guardians have on adolescents, home life is a particularly important consideration.
Child mental health
Children can be impacted by things like anxiety, depression, ADHD and more. However, they can be difficult to identify because kids aren’t always able to communicate effectively. Untreated, child mental health issues can have long-term effects.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a condition that is precipitated by a perceived terrifying event. This event need not occur directly to the person but may happen vicariously—having seen something terrible happen to another person. The condition may last months or years while symptoms include ruminating thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, intense anxiety when triggered, and potential substance abuse in attempt to cope.
General Expertise
Relationship Issues
Refers relationship issues with a partner or spouse. Can include issues related to relationship distress, relationship satisfaction, communication, intimacy, etc.
Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is the degree to which a person feels confident, valuable, and worthy of respect. Feeling low self-esteem can influence overall well-being and be linked to anxiety and/or depression.
Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by persistent instability in relationships, extreme emotional reactions, and chronic fear of abandonment. People with this may also tend to be moody, experiencing a lot of high highs and low lows.
Social Anxiety
Social anxiety or social phobia is fear of social situations or a fear of interacting with people other than close friends and family. Social anxiety can be persistent, intense, and debilitating, greatly affecting daily life.
ADHD
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) causes a hard time focusing attention and controlling restless or impulsive behavior. People with ADHD might have emotional outbursts, be forgetful, and/or find it difficult to stay organized.
Fees
$100
First Session
$100
Family Therapy
$100
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Family Session
Individual Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Children (5-12)
Adolescents (13-17)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Play Therapy
Training / Certifications
Trauma Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Licensure
NJ, LCSW, 44SC05988000
Education
Master of Social Work, Rutgers University
Bachelor of Arts, Social Science, Ramapo College
Work History
Since 2018, I have been providing psychotherapeutic services to children, adolescents, and young adults on a variety of issues. During my educational experience, I had the chance to work with children and teens who suffer from chronic illness related to endocrine related issues. The past few years has given me the chance to work with those who struggle with depression, anxiety, and trauma related issues such as past sexual trauma and domestic violence. My trained treatment modalities are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Diabetical Behavioral Therapy, and Trauma Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Location
Remote Therapy, Fair Lawn, 07410, NJ