Find a Therapist in Columbia, NJ

I have 22 years experience working productively with people of diverse backgrounds, ages, and sexual orientations. Our job together is to identify dysfunctional patterns that contribute to—even perpetuate—your difficulties. The main focus of therapy is to remove inner and outer obstacles that prevent you from reaching your goals and having better relationships. My approach is supportive, empathetic and, above all, pragmatic. While understanding the past is essential, change can only occur in the present. I will challenge you to be an active partner in therapy and to work toward ongoing insight, growth, and positive change both in and outside of sessions. My experience ranges from psychotherapy with adults, teens, and couples to counseling trauma survivors with acute PTSD. Whether you seek to make a major change, overcome a life blow or obstacle, or to break a chronic pattern, I will meet you where you are at. Please note that after years of counseling and assessment in offices, I‘ve recently moved into a different space: video. Active listening in a safe, private setting is foundational to this work. I’ve learned that the catalytic elements of good therapy can thrive via video too.

I'm an emotionally focused, relational therapist, which is a fancy way of saying I pay close attention to what's happening between us in the room and between you and the people in your life. I pull from a bunch of modalities, including internal family systems (IFS), brainspotting, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), attachment work, and psychodynamic therapy, depending on what fits, because no two people need the same thing. I've spent 15+ years as a member, mentor, and educator in New York City's sex-positive and BDSM communities. That means I'm not going to blink when you bring up your kink, your polycule, your sex work, or whatever else you've been told is "the problem." I already know it's not. We can skip the explaining and get into what's going on. A lot of my clients come in carrying years of shame, rejection, or trauma that can come with being part of communities the mainstream still doesn't get. I've lived alongside people in these communities for a long time, and that shapes how I work. We look at how the ways you've learned to think, relate, and protect yourself are serving you now and where they've stopped working. Then we figure out what to do about it. You don't need to have your life figured out before you walk in. Most people are closer to the life they want than they think. Sometimes it just takes someone who's been in your world to help you see it.

My passion for helping others heal is rooted in empathy, compassion, and a thorough understanding of the complexity of trauma. I specialize in working with individuals and couples who have experienced the profound impact of complex PTSD, also known as developmental or relational trauma, on their emotional and psychological well-being and relationships. The effects of cPTSD can leave you feeling unsafe, disconnected, powerless, ashamed, defective, and overwhelmed. You may also find yourself engaging in self-abandoning behavior, experiencing emotional flashbacks, or struggling to overcome your harsh inner critic, toxic shame, and guilt. As your therapist, I strive to create a safe and supportive space for you to heal and grow. My approach is tailored to your unique needs, integrating evidence-based techniques such as Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Somatic Experiencing (SE) to help you break free from the cycle of trauma and build the skills you need to thrive. Whether you are seeking individual or couples therapy, my ultimate goal is to empower you to reclaim your life, heal from the past, and create a fulfilling future where you can experience meaningful connections with yourself and others. Whether you're struggling to navigate the challenges of a relationship as a complex trauma survivor, or working to heal on your own, I'm here to support you every step of the way. I believe that healing from complex trauma is possible, no matter what you've been through. Together, we'll work to break free from the cycle of pain and create a fulfilling, meaningful life full of connection, joy, and authenticity. Whether you're struggling with patterns of self-sabotage, difficulty trusting others, or simply feeling stuck in your past experiences, I'm here to provide the support and resources you need to make real progress toward healing and growth.

Therapy can help you to get to the roots of your issues, develop a better understanding of yourself and provide you with tools to more effectively manage your life. My role, as your therapist, is an objective and non-biased one. I will focus on listening to you, guiding you through a thorough exploration of yourself- past, present and future- and fostering insight. Your own insights will guide you to make decisions and take subsequent actions. Whatever the concern that leads you to therapy, rest assured that I will be deeply invested in supporting you through the process, freeing you to live the life you desire. To learn more about my practice and how to get started, visit my website.

It takes courage to seek help for your personal struggles, and it takes persistence to keep trying. I learned this myself as a young college student facing painful life challenges. The help my own therapist offered me inspired me to offer assistance to others. I have more than 27 years of experience working with adults and adolescents in individual and family settings. I offer a well-trained ear to listen to your problems, as well as caring, warmth, and the ability to ask the right questions. My office is a safe and confidential place that allows you to explore painful losses, anxiety, relationship challenges, past trauma and pain, and unhealthy habits. I maintain healthy boundaries while being genuine and empathetic. Although I've been practicing for many years, I believe that life is a learning process and education never ends. I work in consultation with supervisors and colleagues so that I remain up-to-date on the most effective treatments. I'll do everything I can to offer you the help you seek, but if there is a way in which I can't assist you, I'll help you find the resources you need. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, and know that I admire the bravery it takes to embark on the path toward healing and change.

Much of human suffering is about the way we experience things rather than the things themselves. Sometimes psychotherapy is about changing some events in our lives, but often it is about changing the experience rather than changing the things. Because all of the elements we need to achieve health and happiness are already within. and whether we change events or change the way we experience them, psychotherapy is always an act of courage.

I am specially trained to assist those who struggle with anxiety, trauma, and relationship problems. I use evidence-based treatments that have been proven to help people with your exact problem. Specifically, I practice cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), and family systems therapy. I tailor these research-driven therapies to meet your specific needs and achieve your goals. If you’re ready to make a change in your life, learn new skills, and understand yourself on a deeper level, give me a call or send me an email. I offer free 15-minute phone consultations to get to know you, your struggles, and your goals for the future. I look forward to being on your team!

Most therapists will smile, nod, and ask, “How does that make you feel?”—but if that actually fixed the problem, you wouldn’t still be looking for someone who gets it. I believe people come to therapy because they’re tired of feeling alone with their struggles, not because they want a scripted response. My specialty is addiction recovery, but I’ve learned over the years that addiction rarely travels solo. It brings along old wounds, shame, anxiety, depression, relationship stress, and the feeling that you’re supposed to hold everything together on your own. My approach is steady, honest, and human, and I meet you where you are. I don’t offer cookie-cutter advice or quick fixes. Therapy with me is about uncovering the resilience you already have—even if you’ve stopped believing in it. Whatever you’re facing—addiction, relationship pain, or something you can’t yet name—I’ll meet you there with honesty, compassion, and zero judgment.

I am a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with 8 years of experience in behavioral health. I work with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, bipolar, posttraumatic stress (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive challenges (OCD), schizophrenia, eating-related challenges, dementia, and life transitions. I strive to create a compassionate, stigma-free environment where clients feel heard, respected, and supported as they work toward symptom relief, clarity, and emotional balance.

Welcome! Have you found yourself searching for more meaning, or satisfaction in your life, career or relationships? Here at Mindful Matters Psychotherapy, PLLC we work to provide you with a caring and supportive space where you can both explore your emotions, while setting and achieving your goals. Abby Mullen, LCSW has been specializing in helping people navigate transitional periods on their lives for the last ten years. Through a conversational approach, Abby will use her skills in Cognitive Behavioral, Mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help you allow for feelings of anxiety while continuing to meet and maintain your goals in your life. If you feel as though you are stuck, feeling anxious or depressed, or simply uncertain of your next move talking to a professional may help you find the tools you need to face your fears and reach your full potential.