Find a Therapist in Woodland Park, NJ

My Approach to helping...

Philadelphia Institute for Individual Relational & Sex Therapy is a practice of highly trained and specialized therapists dedicated to helping people gain greater insight and create greater joy in their lives. We provide services for individuals, families and all types of relationships. Our unique group practice brings together the skills of a variety of specialty trained therapists who function independently but are benefited by the strength of a group skill set. The psychotherapists at PhIIRST are a diverse group of both male and female psychotherapists specializing in individual, relational and sex therapy. We know that life's challenges can often be complex and profoundly emotional. The therapists at PhIIRST offer a wide range of counseling and therapy services as well as educational workshop and groups.

I’m a mental health therapist specializing in cognitive behavioral therapy, providing online therapy in New York and New Jersey. I believe in helping people achieve their best quality of life through support and evidence-based interventions. With nearly a decade of experience as a clinician, I’ve worked with people from all walks of life, religions, cultures, political views, socioeconomic statuses, upbringings and life circumstances. I have experience working with incarcerated teens and adults, families, first responders, and law enforcement. By identifying underlying issues and patterns in behavior and emotions, I aim to offer meaningful guidance that supports personal growth and healing. With a focus on cognitive behavioral therapy, I incorporate techniques from dialectical behavior therapy, motivational interviewing, and psychodynamic approaches to provide structured and goal-oriented care in a safe, nonjudgmental space. I’m currently accepting new clients. I accept Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna insurance plans.

When looking for someone to help you with adapting to complex life situations and challenging emotional issues, it is vital to find someone who you feel comfortable being with, who respects you, and focusses on your goals. I strive to work in a warm, empathic and engaging style, blending a variety of therapeutic tools, that best match your specific needs. Refined over my 30 years in practice, I would describe my approach as results driven, hands on and active. First we explore your situation and what you want to change. Equally import, is finding and strengthening what you already enjoy in your life and is working well. Using this strength based vantage point, we detemine what needs to change and the best tools to use to making these changes for you, or a family member. I frequently work with people who want to feel less restricted by anxiety, depression, panic, OCD, or the impact of various forms of traumatic experiences. Working with people as they become more free to choose what to do, where to go and who to be with is enormously gratifying. I also really enjoy working with people who have difficulties fully tapping into their innate talents to create satisfying relationships and academic successes, because of executive functioning differences such as ADHD. Individual's who are on the spectrum have different ways of experiencing the world, and I can help them translate their experiences to better mesh with those around them.

Roussel Javier is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over a decade of experience in human services. She worked closely with the elderly population for more than nine years, and she has over five years of mental health care experience serving children, young adults, adults, couples, and families. She is passionate about helping individuals, couples, and families navigate the different challenges life brings, with the goal of building resilience and resources along the way.

I use a wellness focused, person-centered creative approach to therapy that is empowerment oriented and assists clients in identifying and resolving blocks and integrating resources at the level of mind/body/spirit. I enjoy helping clients to discover their own internal truths and to live their passions. My therapy is focused on present-day concerns and resolving negative patterns to free energy in order to realize life's fullest potentials. I employ writing, psychodrama, mind/body focusing, self-hypnosis, relaxation and emdr techniques.

I am passionate about helping children, teenagers, adults, and families improve their relationships and live the fulfilling lives they deserve. Quite often, the demands of daily life can take us away from the healthy paths we need to follow. This may lead to conflict and feelings of distress. My goal is to provide the professional guidance and support you need to make the positive changes you desire. We will work together to identify your issues, learn how they affect you, and find healthy solutions to help you reach your treatment goals. My therapeutic approach utilizes techniques from a range of evidence-based modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy, parent-child interaction therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and parent management training. I provide individualized treatment, guided exercises, and insightful feedback to help you regain control of your life. I offer a safe, comfortable setting where you can address your deepest concerns and experience personal growth. I will be there to support you through each step of your journey. Please contact me for a free consultation so that you can get answers to any additional questions you may have.

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.

" Real transformation sometimes requires real honesty" - I would love to assist you with finding the path to your true self. Are you trying to find the right therapist? Not knowing what, who or what you need can make a situation worse when you want relief. Let me help you! I enjoy working with individuals who are trying to make meaning of their lives. Whether it involves issues concerning anxiety, depression, stress, anger, life transitions, academic/work performance, or other personal challenges, I will provide you with a supportive and safe space to assist you in gaining insight into your life. My aim is to help you optimize you.

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.