Find a Therapist in Columbia, NJ

I am a psychodynamic therapist specializing in trauma-informed and mindfulness-based care, offering therapy for posttraumatic stress and the everyday challenges of being human. I have spent more than twenty years supporting people through these experiences. Over time, I have seen how transformative it can be when someone gains the courage to understand themselves with deeper insight, understanding, and self-compassion. That is the heart of my work. My approach is trauma-informed and grounded in mindfulness with a psychodynamic foundation. I help people build awareness, emotional regulation, and a sense of internal safety. I don’t push for quick fixes. I create space to explore what’s happening beneath the surface. My background includes many years in private practice, clinical supervision, and work as a mindfulness educator, all of which shape the steady, thoughtful presence I bring to therapy. I believe the therapeutic relationship is one of the most powerful parts of healing. Feeling genuinely seen and understood can open doors that may have been closed for a long time. I work collaboratively, at your pace and with deep respect for your lived experience. If you are looking for a therapist who brings warmth, depth, and a mindful, relational approach, I would be honored to connect and learn more about what you are hoping for in this next chapter.

Samantha DeFelice is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 11 years of experience. She focuses on helping adolescents and adults achieve their goals. Samantha previously worked in community mental health, where she supported people through a wide range of mental health issues and other life challenges. Samantha specializes in anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and understanding core beliefs and how they impact the choices we make in life, and she is open to working with people facing all types of life challenges.

I am a licensed psychologist specializing in comprehensive psychological evaluations and personalized interventions for autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and other developmental challenges. My practice focuses on helping children, adolescents, and adults uncover their strengths, navigate obstacles, and access the resources they need to succeed. I provide strength-based, neurodiversity-affirming strategies tailored to your unique needs using evidence-based techniques. With specialized experience in working with adopted individuals and those who have experienced trauma, including chronic illness, I integrate a trauma-informed framework to ensure clients feel safe, supported, and empowered throughout the process. Every individual has their own journey, which is why I offer a collaborative, solution-focused approach to help you set and achieve your goals. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation today to discuss your needs and explore how my services can help you or your child thrive.

If your child is having frequent meltdowns, struggling to listen, or seems overwhelmed by big emotions, it can feel exhausting trying to figure out how to help, when nothing you try seems to fully work. I specialize in child-centered play therapy, which allows children to express and process what they are feeling in a way that matches their developmental level, through play. Many of the children I work with are dealing with anxiety, behavioral challenges, emotional outbursts, or difficulty adjusting to changes at home or school. In our sessions, your child has a safe, consistent space to work through what is going on internally, while I help you better understand their behavior and feel more confident in how to respond at home. I support parents throughout the process so you feel more equipped, less overwhelmed, and not left guessing. My goal is to help your child feel more regulated and understood, and to help you feel more connected and confident as a parent.

Deciding to enter psychotherapy is one of the most compassionate choices you can make for yourself. In fact, it can represent an essential turning point in your life. However, it can also sometimes feel uncomfortable to talk to someone you don't know well. That's why I provide a caring, safe environment where I will listen to you carefully and where we will work together to understand and resolve the issues with which you are struggling--both in terms of how they affect your life now and in terms of how they became issues for you in the first place. I work with adults and adolescents who are struggling with a wide range of concerns, including relationship difficulties, perfectionism, anxiety, depression, loss, low self-esteem, and many more. When you enter my office, we will talk together about what you are having difficulty with and where you are feeling stuck. I strongly believe that therapy should be an interactive process, where we work together as a team. I received my bachelor's degree in psychology from Yale University and my master's degree in clinical social work from New York University. My theoretical approach is eclectic, but grounded in a psychodynamic approach to therapy, which means that we will work to establish benefits that not only help you right now, but can also stand the test of time. I look forward to hearing from you!

You deserve support that honors the fullness of who you are. Maybe you've always been the one others rely on, yet you're quietly feeling overwhelmed yourself. Perhaps you're questioning a relationship, struggling with anxiety that never seems to quiet down, feeling disconnected from who you once were, or wondering why you keep finding yourself in the same painful patterns. Maybe you're navigating a major life transition, carrying the weight of family expectations, or feeling stuck between where you are and where you want to be. Whatever brings you here, you don't have to figure it out alone. My approach to therapy is integrative, compassionate, and collaborative. I create a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can slow down, make sense of what you're experiencing, and feel genuinely heard. Together, we'll explore the connections between your thoughts, emotions, relationships, and physical well-being while identifying patterns that may be keeping you stuck. My goal is to help you develop greater self-awareness, strengthen your confidence, and create meaningful change that feels authentic to who you are. I draw from evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based interventions, and psychodynamic therapy. Grounded in multicultural humility, trauma-informed care, and attachment-focused principles, I help clients understand how past experiences and relationships may continue to influence present challenges. Along the way, you'll gain practical tools to manage life's difficulties while also developing a deeper understanding of yourself that supports lasting growth. I hold a Master of Science in Education in Mental Health Counseling from Hunter College and a Master of Arts in Psychology from New York University. I also earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Communication, with a minor in Applied Psychology and Education, from the University of California, Santa Barbara. My background in psychotherapy, clinical research, behavioral therapy, and health coaching allows me to combine the latest psychological science with compassionate, individualized care. It would be an honor to support you as you move toward greater clarity, resilience, and a life that feels more fully your own.

My belief is that with support and opportunities for self-expression all of us can grow into happier, healthier, more balanced and connected individuals. I integrate mindfulness, meditation, and art-making with verbal therapy to provide clients with opportunities for increased self-awareness and self-compassion. My approach is holistic; believing that mind-body-spirit and past-present-future are inextricably linked. Therapy is a journey we embark on together with an attitude of compassion and curiosity.

Welcome. I’m glad you’ve taken this step to move forward in your life. We all experience places in our lives where we need support and new skills, in order to move beyond where we are, which often is causing pain in our lives. I bring experience and a strong skillset to our sessions, having worked with my clients around stress, depression, anxiety, relationship bumps, childhood issues, social anxiety, difficulty managing emotions, avoidance of conflict, and feeling stuck. In addition to traditional therapy skills, I integrate breathing skills, relaxation skills, and the practice of mindfulness into our sessions. Often, your ability to slow things down in a stressful situation in order to stay totally present on what is happening, allows you the opportunity to make changes in your life. I realize that the relationship I create with my clients really impacts their path forward. It’s important to feel comfortable, heard, and not judged, in order to openly explore your thoughts and feelings, and begin to take some risks by thinking and behaving differently. A good fit is important, so I offer a thirty-minute complimentary phone consultation. It gives us the opportunity to talk more about your focus, you can experience my style, and I can share ideas of how I could work with you. Everyone is at a different place when they take this first step. I find that I work well with clients who want to move beyond venting and are ready to create real change in their life. I bring experience, a belief in your ability to make positive change in your life, and a willingness to accompany you on the journey.

Life often presents individuals with circumstances that are difficult to navigate. I will work with you to address challenges and overcome obstacles towards fulfilling your potential. We will explore your patterns of behavior, their origins, and usefulness or counter productiveness to facilitate your achieving healthy and effective approaches. Focusing on your feelings and perceptions and how they affect your behavior, you will develop effective skills for achieving success.

I approach therapy in an inclusive, flexible, and respectful way. It’s your therapy. I’m a guide who helps you apply your strengths to your healing process or to solve a problem. I want to have power WITH you, not over you. I offer a range of therapy options. Your experience of therapy matters to me, too, so I periodically check in with you about how therapy is going and whether you’re getting your needs met. I also aim to empower you with information you need along the way, providing psychoeducation, for example, on the neuroscience of trauma, how trauma affects the brain and body. Although I assist with a range of issues, I specialize in trauma work. Helping others recover from trauma is my passion, as I have personally experienced transformation in my own trauma journey.