Our counselors provide marriage counseling in Edison, NJ

Abe Clabby is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who specializes in treating relationship issues, workaholism, trauma, codependency, depression, anxiety, autism, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Abe spent the last 6 years at the Love Is Respect hotline and the National Domestic Violence Hotline, where he has seen the best and the worst that family and relationships have to offer. He is the author of "Cool Off the Burnout: Feel Better at High-Pressure Jobs".

Abe completed his master's degree in Counseling at St. Edward's University, where he earned a 3.7 GPA and spent an extra semester taking courses in marriage and family therapy. In postgraduate training like the Gottman method, Abe found what some couples do that makes them thrive. There are things that help with a partner, but they also help with our parents, our jobs, and our friends. Abe uses motivational interviewing in a client-centered way, empowering people to change the narrative and find an existential purpose for what they do and using the tools of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to get around the obstacles where people feel stuck.

Abe works with a lot of good-hearted people. They're compassionate and want to do good in the world and to help people they love. Caring people can be taken for granted, taken advantage of, and even hurt and used. They can be left feeling empty, unfulfilled, and unloved. But with the right mindset, boundaries, and self-care, they can be respected, appreciated, and live a life that they're proud of. Abe helps people care for others and in turn, care for themselves. With therapy, people can troubleshoot their troubles in jobs and relationships. Everyone has more options than they realize.

Hi, I'm Nahshira McKay, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years of experience supporting individuals, couples, and families. I work with clients navigating identity, relationship concerns, emotional regulation, and life transitions, and I strive to create a space where you can show up as your full, authentic self—without fear of judgment. I earned my Master of Social Work from Rutgers University. Working with diverse populations facing anxiety, depression, trauma, and co-occurring challenges has shaped my ability to meet you where you are—whether you're overwhelmed, stuck, or looking for support, clarity, and growth. 

My approach is warm, collaborative, and strengths-based. I believe you already have the capacity for change, and my role is to help you tap into those strengths while building practical tools along the way. I incorporate evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), tailored to your unique needs.  

I'm especially passionate about working with individuals exploring their identity, as well as couples and families who want to improve communication, rebuild trust, and strengthen their connections. My goal is to help you feel heard, supported, and empowered to create meaningful, lasting change in your life.

Patricia Ruggiero is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals with anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. She has managed community programs, led clinical teams, and provided psychotherapy in agency and private settings. She works best with individuals seeking guidance, structure, and a supportive space to grow. Her ideal client is someone ready to explore meaningful change, improve emotional resilience, build greater independence in their life, and thrive.

Pat earned a Master’s in Social Work from Kean University. She uses a solution-focused, person-centered approach rooted in cognitive behavior therapy to help clients identify strengths and set goals with clarity. Her crisis intervention and advocacy experience allow her to support complex needs with compassion and structure for real-life progress.

Pat understands how overwhelming life can feel when you’re trying to navigate challenges alone. Therapy is a space where you don’t have to have it all figured out. She offers a calm, supportive environment where you will work at your pace. She would be honored to walk with you toward greater peace and confidence.

Julie Burnett is a counselor with 11 years of experience. Her focus is working with clients ages 11 and older — individuals, couples, and/or families. Julie believes that all people deserve to be treated with respect and, therefore, respect is a foundational part of her counseling sessions. Julie specializes in general mental health, relationships, grief and loss, domestic abuse, and parenting. She believes that clients are the experts on their own lives, so they are the ones to choose the topics for each session while Julie brings various techniques that can help. Together they create healthy life goals and decide what techniques they want to try. Julie believes that she is here simply to be a helping hand, a listening ear, and a friendly guide as the client navigates through difficult times. In order to help clients find their way to healing on the other side of pain, Julie provides new insights, teaches new skills, introduces new knowledge, helps to broaden the client’s focus, and encourages clients to practice new skills. While Julie will never preach to the client or try to change their beliefs about faith, as a Christian, she views the world through a biblical lens.

Since she was young, Julie has wanted to help people work through their problems so they can have happier, healthier lives. She often found herself being the one her friends went to for help with their problems. She saw counseling as a way to help others. During her studies she was excited to learn that the best helping skill is listening non-judgmentally, the one skill she had been practicing since she was young. She also learned many other counseling techniques and skills that she integrates into sessions with clients. Since earning her counseling degree in 2011, she has served in a variety of settings. She has worked with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault survivors, with active and recently retired military personnel, and with high school students. She has also kept a private practice where she has been able to work with all ages and a variety of issues. As she has worked with clients throughout the years, she has found that, regardless of age, healthy relationships and boundary setting are typically common goals for clients as we all strive to live a healthy, productive life. Julie allows the client to lead the session while she helps keep it focused on the path toward healing and healthy life goals. Some of the therapies Julie uses include person-centered, Adlerian, cognitive behavioral, and mindfulness.

Julie understands that reaching out for counseling can be a scary time for clients. But she would like you to know that you have nothing to fear from her. Counseling with Julie is a safe space where all emotions are welcome, she will not judge you for your thoughts, actions, or emotions! Julie has been told that she is a very down-to-earth counselor, and she is excited to meet you and help you begin your journey on the path to a healthier and more joyful life.

Elijawon is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over nine years of experience in the mental health field. He has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, families, couples, and individuals with developmental disabilities. Elijawon is passionate about helping others navigate unique challenges to improve their quality of life and achieve their goals and dreams. Elijawon is an eclectic counselor that does not believe in being a "One-Trick Pony," as each approach applies to the individual's different needs.

Elijawon (Eli) completed his Masters of Arts in Counseling at Kean University. He has clinical counseling, case management, and school counseling experience working with many individuals. Elijawon utilizes multiple treatment approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, and mindfulness.

Everyone faces challenges and situations that they try to overcome. Elijawon is adamant about guiding individuals to their goals, is an empathetic and active listener, and provides the resources to educate and empower others. If you are ready to take that leap of faith and gain new strategies to cope and conquer, please reach out and schedule an appointment!

Nicole Schaefer is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over four years of clinical experience providing counseling services to adolescent and adult clients who were experiencing depression, anxiety, relational conflict, life transitions, and difficulties coping with stressors.

Nicole completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Rutgers University and received her Master of Arts in Forensic Mental Health Counseling from the City University of New York, John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She also received an Advanced Certificate in Victimology Studies. She has worked in academic and residential settings with clients of varying backgrounds. Nicole utilizes an eclectic evidence-based approach with her clients to adjust services to best meet the needs of the individual client. Nicole’s therapeutic modality draws upon cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), person-centered therapy, motivational interviewing, and positive psychology.

With a sense of genuineness and compassion, Nicole is committed to creating an atmosphere of safety and support, through which clients can feel comfortable opening up and working through the difficulties that brought them to counseling. Her mission is to support clients on their journey toward healing, self-discovery, and personal growth in order to achieve desired goals, reduce distress, and improve overall functioning. Nicole looks forward to supporting you on your own therapeutic journey.