Find a Therapist in Somerville, NJ

I approach therapy through a collaborative and relational lens, working with clients to understand their challenges within the broader context of their relationships and lived experiences. Drawing from collaborative therapy and systemic sex therapy, I partner with clients to explore how family dynamics, early life experiences, and past traumas shape present-day concerns, particularly in intimacy, authenticity, and communication. Together, we uncover unconscious patterns that influence choices and relational dynamics, fostering deeper connection and self-awareness. I support individuals and partners in navigating intense symptoms of anxiety and depression, and guide them through significant life transitions—such as career shifts, divorce, or entering college—with compassion, curiosity, and a commitment to shared meaning-making.

Navigating life’s challenges can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. As a New York-based therapist, I specialize in supporting women and adolescents experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, interpersonal difficulties, and challenges with self-worth. I offer a warm, empowering, and nonjudgmental space where you can feel heard, supported, and understood. Using a collaborative approach, I integrate dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness practices, and strength-based techniques to help you build resilience and confidence. Together, we will explore your unique strengths and work toward meaningful personal growth. If you're ready to begin your journey, I am here to support you. My Mission: To support you in rediscovering joy and fulfillment by helping you navigate challenges, embrace balance, and create a life that feels authentic and rewarding. Together, we will cultivate self-awareness, self-compassion, and a stronger sense of identity. I will guide you in strengthening your relationships through improved communication, establishing healthy boundaries, and fostering lasting, meaningful connections. My Vision: To empower individuals to lead lives rooted in purpose, inner peace, and authentic connection. I envision a world where people feel safe to be their true selves, face life’s challenges with resilience, and create relationships that nourish their well-being. Through compassionate therapy, my goal is to help you recognize and embrace your strengths, enabling you to live a life aligned with your values and aspirations. In our initial session, I focus on getting to know you as an individual and understanding how I can best support your goals. I take a holistic approach—recognizing the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit—and work with you to find balance across all areas of your life. My aim is to create a safe and comfortable space where you feel free to express yourself fully. I understand that every person’s journey is unique. That’s why I offer personalized strategies and a flexible, client-centered approach tailored to your needs. I believe deeply in your ability to overcome challenges. Together, we will identify and build upon your strengths to foster healing, empowerment, and lasting change. With extensive experience working with both adolescents and adults, I specialize in women’s health, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, stress management, and life transitions.

I believe therapy should be a supportive, collaborative, and emotionally safe space where you feel genuinely heard, understood, and supported without judgment. Many of the women I work with are carrying significant pressure at work, in relationships, and in their personal lives while continuing to function through anxiety, burnout, emotional overwhelm, perfectionism, and chronic stress. My approach is compassionate, practical, and grounded in helping you better understand yourself while developing healthier and more sustainable ways of coping with life’s challenges. Together, we explore the patterns contributing to stress, overthinking, self-doubt, emotional exhaustion, and difficulty slowing down while also identifying your strengths, values, and emotional needs. In therapy, my goal is to create a space where you can slow down, reflect, process what you have been carrying, and reconnect with yourself outside of constant responsibility and pressure. We work together to build healthier coping strategies, strengthen boundaries, improve emotional balance, and create a more sustainable relationship with work, relationships, and daily life. Therapy is not about “fixing” you. It is about helping you feel more grounded, emotionally supported, self-aware, and connected to yourself so you can move through life with greater clarity, confidence, and emotional well-being.

Hi I’m Elsa (she, they), a NYC clinical psychologist specializing in life transitions, identity, and spirituality (meaning, purpose, and connection). I’m also passionate about serving communities that have historically experienced barriers to whole-person care including LGBTQ+, BIPOC, Asian American, and neurodivergent (gifted, 2e, autistic, highly sensitive) teens, adults, partners, and families of all kinds. My practice integrates cultural diversity, health psychology, and identity development in exploring meaning, skills enhancement, and values based living. I also believe that healing must be contextualized by systemic factors that impact each person’s unique struggles and strengths. For more info on therapy or assessment services, consultation for therapists, or research collaborations, let’s connect at contact@elsalau.com

When you realize you're struggling or you are at a difficult point in your life, the awareness can cultivate growth. Reaching out for assistance is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of your strength and motivation for change. It shows your readiness to address what is needed to move through the challenge. Stress, anxiety, past traumas, life transitions, relationship or challenges, can knock anyone off balance. Through our therapy, I help each individual understand what defined their developmental process and the relationship between the psyche and how one relates to their current environment. Individuals tend to manifest patterns in current relationships depending on the experiences they had as a child with parents, siblings or guardians. Experiences will eventually build a standard in the mind. We often then carry a standard or "object" around as an adult attaching it to every relationship or event. This is a habitual pattern that forms within us and it can affect our overall health. During therapy, we will employ various techniques, used so you develop a more harmonious position in how you view yourself and others. The goal is to see people and the world around us in a neutral manner based on rational thought, instead of attaching our past to the here and now. The focus of therapy is to show how you can improve relationships and interactions with others by removing the "object" that we naturally attach to events and people. This object shapes how one acts in relationships. When this is held in a negative manner it is detrimental to self-esteem happiness and health.

I understand that seeking therapy can be daunting, and view therapy as a holistic process, striving to provide a warm, empathic, and accepting atmosphere, to support clients who are committed to making lasting change. I am Licensed Professional Counselor, and have extensive clinical experience working with individuals and couples struggling with relationship issues, trauma, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, low self-esteem, grief and loss, and questions of identity. I am passionate about helping couples and individuals grow and thrive, improving communication, working through trauma, and identifying and achieving goals. I received my Master of Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2011, and since then have undergone continued training specializing in trauma-informed approaches. I am a Gottman Method Level 1 trained therapist. I operate from a trauma-informed perspective recognizing that many people have had or currently experience trauma. I understand the need for emotional safety and trustworthiness in a therapist and work with clients to regain a sense of empowerment in their lives. My style is eclectic, but my work is trauma informed, using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help clients stop fighting against the pain of their past, and build rich and meaningful lives. For couples work, I pull strongly from the Gottman Method. I strongly believe that every person holds the capacity for growth, and can benefit from a trusting and supportive therapist to help them acknowledge and ignite that ability within themselves. I consider the client as the expert in their life and trust that a positive client and therapist relationship is key to facilitating change. Through a safe and professional relationship, the therapist can help the client deeply examine their life, and identify areas for change. Utilizing individualized treatment plans, I help clients develop goals tailored to their specific needs, and identify coping and management strategies to help clients regain a sense of control in life.

Therapy can help when life becomes overwhelming, when you feel alone in your struggles, or when you’re experiencing major life changes. You may find it difficult to talk about your problems with family members or friends, as they may not understand your feelings. My role as a therapist is to empower those facing various issues in their lives and to help you cope with difficult situations in a more adaptive way. Being listened to can help you feel understood and remind you that other people care about you and what you have to say. I provide a supportive, caring, nonjudgmental, safe, and culturally appropriate atmosphere. Therapy can help when life becomes overwhelming, when you feel alone in your struggles, or when you’re experiencing major life changes. You may find it difficult to talk about your problems with family members or friends, as they may not understand your feelings. My role as a therapist is to empower those facing various issues in their lives and to help you cope with difficult situations in a more adaptive way. Being listened to can help you feel understood and remind you that other people care about you and what you have to say. I provide a supportive, caring, nonjudgmental, safe, and culturally appropriate atmosphere. While deciding to begin therapy can be difficult, it can also be the first step toward achieving meaningful change. All clients are treated with respect and confidentiality. I invite you to take the next step and make an appointment so we can start this healing journey together.

I help individuals process change - wanted or unwanted. Losses are important to recognize and acknowledge their importance. Some losses we experienced earlier this week, others happened to us while we were quite young. I'll educate to acknowledge the presence of emotions, monitor emotions, and the ability to listen to their important messages that will lead to growth and behavior that is beneficial! I've found I'm a great fit for the 20-something to 40-something man who isn't easily aware of his emotions and therefore may be experiencing shortcomings (or roadblocks) in his life. Clients who work in the Arts, Education, Finance, and Entrepreneurs find my style complimentary to their own strengths and perspectives.

I am nurturing and thoughtful. I will help you find the words to describe your experience and ensure you feel seen and heard. I will also help you decode the language you use to describe your experiences to uncover core schemas that may be generating self-defeating patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. I focus on your relational capacity, and can teach you how to be your most authentic Self and most effective advocate.

Feeling more like a passenger than a driver on life's journey is a common experience, especially when the path you're on doesn't align with your goals. The overwhelming stress and anxiety you feel may stem from trying to meet expectations that no longer serve you, leaving you feeling stuck and uncertain about how to move forward. Reaching out for support is a courageous first step toward feeling better. Imagine finding the clarity and peace you're seeking, allowing you to focus on your own needs and goals. Together, we can explore the patterns in your life and equip you with proven techniques to help you thrive rather than just survive. Our sessions are a partnership, honoring your past while energizing your present to create a better future. I provide both in-person and telehealth sessions for residents in New Jersey. If you're ready to start your journey toward personal growth and a more meaningful life, please feel free to email or call me today.