Find a Therapist in Barnegat, NJ

Do you feel hurt or frustrated in your relationships? Do you have difficulty setting boundaries or asserting your needs? Or do you feel alone and that it is difficult to connect? Do you feel stuck in the past? Or have you experienced a recent trauma or loss? Do you worry about everyday events or feel uncertain about your future? Are you struggling with infertility or pregnancy loss? Or are you having difficulties adjusting to life transitions such as graduating college, getting married, becoming a new parent, divorce, or the loss of a loved one? If you feel held back from the life you want and deserve, I would like to help you. My therapeutic style is interactive, collaborative, and non-judgmental. I am genuinely empathic and curious, and I want to discuss your life experiences, emotional reactions, and perceptions with you. Together, we will better understand how your past affects the way you view yourself and the world, the choices you make, your patterns of relating to others, and explore new options to reduce your suffering and improve your life. I am currently licensed to provide psychotherapy in NY and NJ and FL. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with advanced training and over 25 years experience providing effective psychotherapy to adults with a broad range of difficulties. I also have expertise working with survivors of childhood abuse, adult traumas, relationship problems, depression and anxiety, pregnancy loss and infertility, and life transitions including young adults leaving home, marriage, becoming a parent, separation and divorce, changing careers, retirement, and the loss of a loved one. It is not often an easy decision to start therapy or seek out a new therapist, but if you contact me, we can talk about any concerns or questions you have about the process.

You don’t have to carry it alone. Whether you’re healing from trauma, navigating depression or anxiety, or simply feeling overwhelmed by life, therapy can help you find clarity, relief, and connection. I create a safe, supportive space where you can be fully yourself. Together we'll explore what's holding you back and build tools that help you move forward with more peace and clarity. You're not broken- you're human, and healing is possible!

If you’re feeling stuck—knowing what’s hard but unsure how to break through—you're not alone. Whether you're grappling with trauma, anxiety, or the lasting effects of sexual or domestic abuse, it’s normal to feel uncertain about the next step. Therapy can be a safe and powerful space to unpack these struggles, find clarity, and learn how to move forward in a way that feels right for you. Together, we will empower you, helping you take control of your life and build deeper, more meaningful connections—with yourself, others, and the world. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone; healing is possible. My therapeutic approach is client-centered, focusing on genuineness, warmth, and unconditional positive regard. With a trauma-focused lens, I integrate IFS, Gestalt, mindful self-compassion, and mindfulness techniques. This holistic approach helps clients heal, gain insight, and build resilience on their journey to growth and recovery. Life is already hard enough without trauma; allow yourself the opportunity to unburden, learn new strategies and perspectives, and start living authentically. If you are ready to begin this chapter in your healing journey, please reach out today. I look forward to our work together.

After struggling with anxiety or depression for long enough, you may start to feel stuck. Anxiety and depression can make us think and act in ways that ironically leave us feeling even more anxious and depressed, creating a kind of "vicious cycle." Fortunately, advances in evidence-based therapies have given rise to interventions that can reliably interrupt this cycle, so you can stop struggling and start living. I work with my clients using cognitive-behavioral and humanistic approaches, and incorporate mindfulness-based interventions to decrease the impact of challenging thoughts and emotions, while simultaneously increasing engagement with who and what matters most. Your values and goals will guide our work together every step of the way.

When a relationship is in crisis, or a family is fractured, you need more than just a listener—you need a clear path forward. My practice is built on objective, research-based interventions designed to bring clarity to high-stakes situations. A Scientific Approach to Couples Therapy As a Gottman-trained therapist, I don’t rely on intuition alone. We begin with a formal Gottman assessment that serves as a blueprint for your treatment plan. By using this data-driven approach, we remove the guesswork and move objectively toward your goals, often achieving results in less time. In my office, the relationship is the client. By focusing on the bond, rather than the individuals, I eliminate bias and ensure that our work remains dedicated to the health of the partnership. Specialized Family Services: Alienation and Reunification I provide expert intervention for families navigating the most difficult transitions, including: Family reunification: I specialize in working with families experiencing estrangement or alienation. My goal is to facilitate healing and restore healthy parent-child dynamics through structured, therapeutic reunification. Court-involved evaluations: I conduct comprehensive family evaluations designed for legal contexts. These assessments provide the court with an objective, clinical perspective on family functioning. Professional Disclaimer: Please note that my role is defined by the specific service requested. To maintain clinical integrity and avoid a conflict of interest, I do not simultaneously serve as a neutral evaluator and a treating therapist for the same family. Evaluations are conducted as a neutral third party for the court's consideration. All court-related services, including testimony and evaluations, are subject to specific fee schedules and retainer agreements.

I am a licensed psychotherapist in private practice with nearly 20 years of clinical experience providing therapy for adults and couples throughout New York State. I work with individuals who often appear highly capable and successful on the outside, yet privately struggle with anxiety and mood difficulties, emotional overwhelm, trauma, relationship difficulties, burnout, chronic stress, or a persistent sense of feeling stuck, despite insight and previous therapy. Many of the people I work with are accustomed to functioning at a high level in their personal or professional lives. They may understand their patterns intellectually, yet continue to experience the same emotional reactions, relationship dynamics, or internal struggles that seem resistant to change. Therapy can become most valuable when understanding alone is no longer enough. My approach is integrative, trauma-informed, and grounded in current neuroscience, recognizing that emotional difficulties are often held not only in thoughts, but also in the nervous system, relationships, and lived experience. Rather than applying a single method to every person, treatment is individualized and may draw from psychodynamic therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic approaches, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and nervous system regulation strategies. I believe meaningful therapy extends beyond symptom reduction. While many people seek relief from anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, or relationship conflict, my goal is to help create deeper and more enduring change, greater self-understanding, improved relationships, increased emotional resilience, and a stronger connection to yourself. I also work with couples seeking relationship therapy around communication difficulties, recurring conflict, betrayal and trust concerns, life transitions, and relational patterns that create distance or disconnection. I offer online therapy throughout New York State and provide both short-term focused work and longer-term psychotherapy, depending on your needs. Beginning therapy can feel vulnerable, but it can also be the start of meaningful and lasting change.

Are you struggling with depression or anxiety due to life transitions? Are you having difficulty parenting your children? Do you wonder what a better relationship with your partner would look like? Do you need help in regulating your emotions? Would you like to develop higher self esteem? I use a collaborative approach to helping women in therapy. Together we can work as a team to explore your thoughts, feelings, behaviors, relationships, and family history. I want you to feel heard, understood and respected in a non-judgmental environment. I will work with you to identify goals that are in line with your unique needs and values. I find it important to use honesty and transparency to meet each woman where they are in the therapy process. Together we can work as a team to increase insight and develop strategies to improve your quality of life.

Rachel Phelps is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Ohio with eight years of professional experience. She has experience helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, and trauma and abuse. Rachel works with clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step toward a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage, and Rachel is here to support you in that process.

My motto is, "Use your head and follow your heart." Would you like to relax, become less anxious and depressed? I teach stress management techniques and help people recover from traumatic experiences. Sometimes we'll laugh together. People I work with describe me as warm, concerned, available, and interactive. I am a licensed psychoanalyst as well as a yoga teacher registered with the Yoga Alliance and the International Yoga Therapy Association; I am experienced in helping people of all ages and backgrounds. Sliding scale referrals and some insurance plans accepted.

Are you a busy professional and/or parent seeking a healthy work-life balance? Do you often feel overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, or burnout? Are you looking for a positive space to recharge? I know how hard it is to juggle family and career. Our dedicated therapy team at Sunshine Counseling is here to help you move forward. I bring patience, energy, and evidence-based strategies directly to your screen, so you can prioritize your mental health from the comfort of home, perhaps with a favorite cup of tea or coffee. Reach out if you'd like to work together to rediscover joy, manage stress, and explore fresh paths to wellness.