Our counselors provide therapy in Toms River, NJ

Shua: My approach to individual therapy focuses on collaboration, skill development, and emphasizing clients' strengths. By amplifying these strengths and improving coping strategies, we pave the way toward overcoming challenges. I believe in this approach because it's often more effective to build upon existing strengths than to solely address weaknesses.

Michelle: I use DBT. The coping skills learned from it can be used for a variety of mental health diagnoses.

Chedva: My go-to approach for helping people in individual therapy is integrative trauma therapy. I prefer this approach because it allows me to tailor treatment to each client's unique needs and experiences. By combining elements from EMDR, internal family systems (IFS), somatic therapies, and attachment-focused techniques, I can address the complexities of trauma from multiple angles. This approach facilitates a holistic healing process, addressing not only the cognitive aspects of trauma but also the emotional, somatic, and relational dimensions. Through integrative trauma therapy, clients can experience profound healing and transformation, leading to greater resilience and well-being.

Shua: In therapy, I provide various strategies and tools to enhance mental well-being, such as:

• Defusion: fostering distance between oneself and one's thoughts and emotions to reduce their impact and gain perspective
• Grounding: mindfully focusing on the environment or senses to detach from distressing internal experiences
• Self-compassion: cultivating empathy, kindness, and forgiveness towards oneself

Michelle: Grounding skills, distraction skills, TIPs, journaling, deep breathing, and imagery are some of the tools I teach.

Chedva: I teach the following tools in individual therapy: emotional regulation skills, cognitive reframing, perspective-taking, self-awareness, self-conceptualization, self-compassion, and more.

Shua: I know a client is making meaningful progress in therapy when they are responding with more flexibility toward their emotions and making greater strides toward what’s most important to them.

Michelle: Clients will report a decrease in their symptoms and an increase in the use of coping skills learned. Client will use their coping skills as if they were second-nature.

Chedva: I know a client is making meaningful progress in individual therapy when their day-to-day mood has improved, they are more compassionate to themselves and others, and are they taking steps towards reaching their goals.

Shua: Clients can supplement their therapy by exercising, connecting with others, and practicing the tools discussed in sessions.

Michelle: Clients can supplement their time in individual therapy with journaling, practicing coping skills, positive affirmations, and partaking in hobbies.

Chedva: Clients can supplement their time in individual therapy with yoga, art, journaling, mindfulness-based meditations, exercise in moderation, support groups, and support from family and friends.

Shua: To prepare for your first session, you can think about what you want to gain from therapy. But don’t worry, it’s okay to be unsure! Oftentimes, figuring out what you want from yourself and life is a critical and rewarding part of the therapy process.

Michelle: Stay off of Google. Download the Ultimate List of Emotions so they can identify their true emotions. Maintain an open mind; understand that therapy is not a quick fix and both counselor and client need to work together.

Chedva: The best way to prepare for therapy is to come in with an open mind, curiosity, and motivation to do the work of self-healing, as it can be challenging.