Find a Therapist in Midland Park, NJ

Dr. Katelyn Shaffer, DNP, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)-BC, CARN-AP, is a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) providing care to patients in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Dr. Shaffer has taken on many roles as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. She has worked with patients across the lifespan in settings including outpatient psychiatry, acute inpatient care, research, and education. Working with adult patients in outpatient psychiatry has always been Dr. Shaffer’s primary interest and specialty. She is well-versed in treating an array of diagnoses, including mood-related challenges, anxiety-related challenges, attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD), and trauma-related challenges. As a PMHNP and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Dr. Shaffer’s role is multifaceted, including medication manager, therapist, educator, and mental health advocate.

I am a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)-BC) with 15 years of experience providing evidence-based mental health care through telehealth. I work with children, adolescents, and adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, mood-related challenges, life transitions, and emotional regulation concerns. I support individuals and families seeking greater clarity, balance, and coping skills to improve daily functioning at home, school, work, and in relationships.

Solution-Focused, over 20 years of experience counseling individuals, couples and families. Expertise in Narcissistic Personality (Recovery & Coping), Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). Exposure to severe Narcissistic Personality can cause one to doubt their own reality! You can expect support, compassion and attentive listening during your time in session with me. My intent is to optimize your coping skills. If you are feeling uncertain about a matter causing you distress, you do not have to deal with overwhelmed feelings alone. You are taking the healthy & proactive approach to seek professional guidance. I am non-judgmental, empathetic, and feel strongly about empowering people to achieve goals they have identified as important to overall wellbeing. Sometimes we struggle with decisions. Couples often feel stuck or confused by persistent unresolved conflicts. If confusion is preventing you from moving forward with taking control of your current life challenge, a confidential and supportive "life-talk" session can help to clarify the underlying issue, and assist with exploring ways to utilize your own strengths to resolve the matter. If you feel ready to start working on your personal goals to enhance your quality of life, or manage distress, do not hesitate to call or email for a free consultation. My extensive experience in gently guiding people towards healing, resolution and growth contributes greatly to the process of attaining overall wellness and stress reduction. Self worth is key to coping with challenges in any relationship, marriage, divorce, parenting or separation issue.

We all experience challenges at some point in our life. For some people, this means having to cope with traumatic events or chronic stressors. I believe a strong therapeutic relationship that is grounded in comfort and trust is essential for successful treatment. I offer a professional, judgment-free environment where you may explore your issues and past experiences. I will help you to overcome conditions such as depression and anxiety, improve dysfunctional relationships, develop a positive perspective, and regain control of your life. My integrated therapeutic approach helps clients to reduce adverse symptoms and increase resilience, insight, awareness, and personal growth. When working with children, I utilize techniques from play therapy or other age-appropriate approaches to reach treatment goals. When treating teenagers, I keep in mind their drive for independence as well as their need for continued parental support. I believe positive family involvement is vital when providing mental health services to young people. I am highly experienced in treating trauma-related issues. I also have advanced training in family therapy, play therapy, the psychology of lifespan development, sexual behavior problems in adolescence, and helping older clients find meaning and fulfillment in their life.

I am currently accepting new clients and work with children, teens, adults, couples, and families experiencing depression, anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD), substance use, eating challenges, LGBTQ+ concerns, trauma, posttraumatic stress (PTSD), relationship challenges, and behavioral issues. Using evidence-based approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance-based, and experiential therapies, I focus on authentic connection, emotional insight, and compassion to support meaningful healing and growth. I help individuals, couples, and families develop insight, emotional balance, and practical tools to navigate life’s challenges. Through a collaborative and supportive approach, I focus on strengthening coping skills, improving relationships, and fostering meaningful, lasting change.

If you’re seeking a therapist who appreciates the complexity of your experiences and the challenges your family may face, I’d be honored to support you. As a marriage and family therapist and an approved clinical supervisor serving PA and NJ, I strive to help individuals, couples, and families find connection, healing, and opportunities for growth. My approach is rooted in empathy and understanding. I aim to meet you where you are, offering a warm and authentic presence. I offer skillful compassionate therapy helping individuals, couples, and families navigate stress, anxiety, and relationship challenges with EFT, MI, and Narrative Therapy. Together, we’ll build resilience and connection in a caring, nonjudgmental space. We can address concerns like depression, anxiety, anger, relationship difficulties, and life changes. Wherever you are on your journey, I am here to support you with care, knowledge, and a genuine desire to see you thrive. If you’d like to learn more or take the next step, please feel free to reach out. I look forward to the possibility of working together.

My training as a mental health professional has taught me to be highly attuned to individuals' needs, with a strong desire to help my clients overcome life's difficulties. I know asking for help can be challenging, but I aim to build and maintain positive and effective therapeutic relationships built around the confidence and trust of my clients. In over a decade of experience, I have used a variety of approaches to meet my clients needs. I originally relied on cognitive-behavioral therapy, but I now use an eclectic approach, embracing psychoanalytic and existential approaches. I am also a licensed behavior specialist. I work with autism-spectrum clients to implement behavior programs that strengthen their skills and abilities. While in Europe, I gained expertise in progressive body relaxation.

Teresa has worked for years helping Adult Children, parents & siblings that are or have lived with someone's alcohol and drug abuse & feels like the addiction has made their lives unmanageable.It is important to talk honestly with family members about what is happening in the family and to help them express their concerns and feelings.Families with alcohol and drug problems usually have high levels of stress and confusion.These family members need to have their experiences validated and learn that they did not cause it they cannot control the addiction, and they cannot cure the addiction. She is well-versed and comfortable in individual, group and family counseling sessions and utilizes creative approaches to encouraging sharing and support. Teresa's experience covers a broad range of care including family of all ages, teenagers, elementary-age children and children on the Autism spectrum disorders.Teresa works from a systemic approach bringing the entire family into sessions. Through the integration of cognitive, behavioral and spiritual awareness, clients learn that they hold the answers to create harmony in their lives. In recognizing and meeting her clients need for spirituality, Teresa employs an eclectic approach, ensuring that treatment is tailored to individual needs, using experimental methods with cognitive behavioral techniques to facilitate an individual's and family's insight and personal growth. She believes in her client's ability to create balance and sees them healed.

Women deserve spaces where they feel emotionally safe enough to become fully themselves. I provide virtual psychotherapy for women seeking support for sexual trauma recovery, PTSD, C-PTSD, depression, anxiety, identity concerns, and life transitions. Whether this is your first experience with therapy or one step in a longer healing journey, I am honored to walk alongside you. My goal is to provide a therapeutic environment where women feel seen, heard, respected, valued, and supported as they move toward healing and authenticity. Through trauma-informed, affirming psychotherapy, I strive to create an environment where women can reconnect with themselves, reclaim their voices, strengthen self-trust, and move toward lives that feel more authentic, meaningful, and emotionally free. You are welcome here. Healing is not about becoming someone different. It is about coming home to yourself.

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.