Bilingual and Bicultural psychotherapy services for Individuals, Children, Families and Couples.

You've probably been holding it together for a long time. Managing the job, the relationships, the responsibilities, the version of yourself that everyone else needs you to be. And you're good at it. That's actually part of the problem. High-functioning doesn't mean fine. It means you've gotten very good at keeping the harder stuff out of sight, including from yourself sometimes. And at some point, that stops working. The anxiety bleeds through. The relationship hits a wall. The transition you thought you were handling turns out to be bigger than you expected. Or you just wake up one day and realize you've been running on empty for longer than you can remember. That's usually when people find us. I'm Manuela Correia-Guerra, a licensed professional counselor, approved clinical supervisor, and the founder of MVCG Psychotherapy Services in Spring Lake, NJ. I've been doing this work for nearly 20 years, and what I've learned is that the people who are hardest to help on paper are often the easiest to work with in the room. Sharp, self-aware, motivated. They just need someone who won't let them intellectualize their way around the actual work. That's what we do here. At MVCG, I've built a close-knit team of clinicians who share the same core belief: that real change requires more than coping strategies and a sympathetic ear. It requires honesty, clarity, and a willingness to look at the things you've been carefully not looking at. We work from a person-centered foundation, which means you lead and we follow your pace. But we're not passive. We'll ask the questions other people won't. We'll name the pattern you've been living inside of. And we'll stay in it with you until the work is actually done. My own approach is shaped by Carl Rogers and Gestalt therapy, which is a long way of saying I believe deeply in your capacity to figure this out, and I'll be direct with you while you do. Not harsh. Not clinical. Direct. There's a difference. We see clients in person at our Spring Lake, NJ office, serving Monmouth and Ocean Counties, and via telehealth throughout New Jersey. We specialize in anxiety, high-functioning anxiety, trauma, life transitions, depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD), couples and marital counseling, caregiver support, and men's mental health. We accept most major insurance plans, including Aetna, Cigna, Horizon BCBS, Optum, Oscar, Oxford, Meritain, and UnitedHealthcare. If something here sounds familiar, that's not an accident. Reach out. We'll take it from there.

I am currently taking new patients who are experiencing problems with work, school and/or relationships that are due to obsessive and problematic usage of internet/computer/video games. Depression and anxiety are often associated with excessive use of these interactive technologies. Within the past seven years, I have seen a significant rise in my practice in people who have experienced major difficulties that have been rooted in spending too much time online, or excessively involved in one or more forms of interactive technology (i.e., computer/video games). For some, it has to do with excessive internet surfing. For others, it may involve multi-user online games (e.g., World of Warcraft, Call of Duty). A growing number of people have reported spending ("wasting") hours upon hours on blogs, watching Youtube vidoes, and on Facebook, Tumblr, and other social networking sites.

Life can be challenging and painful. Relationships break. Your self-esteem may suffer, and life can feel lonely and lacking. Addictions may be ruining your life and the lives of ones you love. A history of trauma can challenge your most cherished hopes and dreams, and can drain your coping skills. This pain can touch every area of your life. I know that pain can be healed. I am a licensed professional counselor who embraces holistic methods that focus on belief systems, emotions, relationships, spirituality, and health. I offer counseling services for women, men, couples, and teens in a safe and confidential environment. I specialize in helping people navigate the challenges of addiction, interventions, depression, OCD, grief, eating disorders, anxiety, incest, women's issues, infidelity, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

My approach incorporates a number of therapy models, particularly relational, emotion focused and body oriented therapies. I believe that each of us possesses internal resources for healing and personal growth. In my work, I utilize the wisdom of the mind, emotions, body and spirit to help clients achieve their unique therapy goals.

People usually come to therapy seeking something concrete to walk away with after each session. This is what I offer -- concrete tools and techniques to handle difficult thoughts and feelings. I now offer this via video sessions. I have achieved wonderful results with many New Yorkers and I love what I do. I have a knack for studying and applying techniques and strategies that tend to be effective. I'm proactive and I strive to offer something more than insight since insight alone does not produce change. One way to get a better idea of my style and philosophy as a psychologist is to take a look at my writing on The Huffington Post, Elite Daily, Lifehack, and MindBodyGreen. I'm an active blogger because I love to share my ideas with the world. I'm not your typical therapist in that I'm much more active, directive and real with my clients. Through the creation of an empathic, safe, and confidential therapeutic environment, you'll be given the opportunity to examine self-defeating beliefs and patterns of behavior that contribute to psychological discomfort, as well as personal and family dynamics that influence decision making. My goal is to help you gain a greater sense of control over difficult thoughts and feelings, and to promote flexibility in how you respond to obstacles in your life. Clients tend to respond well to my dual focus on techniques for altering thoughts and behavior and for enhancing insight, awareness, and mindfulness as they pertain to experiences, people, dreams, goals, etc. My effectiveness is greatly enhanced by the way in which the therapeutic relationship that I create supports client growth and understanding, and the easy acquisition of techniques for managing stress and living powerfully. As a psychologist, my approach to therapy incorporates cognitive-behavioral, psychoanalytic, and humanistic ideas and techniques. My integrative approach allows me to alter treatment to meet the unique needs of the client. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

When you walk into therapy, I want you to feel safe, welcomed, and understood exactly as you are. My role is to be there with you: listening deeply, learning your story, and helping you feel less alone. You don’t have to have it all figured out; we’ll navigate it together, at your pace. I combine evidence-based tools like dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with the depth and insight of interpersonal psychodynamic work. This means we’ll focus on helping you cope with what’s happening right now, and look at patterns, relationships, and experiences that shape how you see yourself and the world. Along the way, you’ll gain skills, emotional control, clarity, and new ways of dealing with life’s challenges. People often tell me I bring warmth, compassion, and a calming presence to our sessions, along with the kind of honesty and gentle encouragement that makes it easier to make changes. My hope is that you leave therapy feeling better in the moment, and also more confident, more connected, and more hopeful about your life.

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!

Talk therapy can help you become your true self. I have worked extensively with adults and have a good understanding of childhood issues.I also do couples work focusing on improving communication which fosters real intimacy. I work with individuals and families from an interpersonal approach with a focus on emotions.I believe that all people have resources to solve problems.I am easy to talk to and I have great listening skills. I have worked many years with adolescents in public education. I have had great success with them because I understand what it is like being an adolescent today. I also have an extensive background in substance abuse.

Many of my clients come to therapy for help with relationships, and are frustrated that they repeat patterns but don't have an alternative. I believe relationships are central to life and I also know that much of what we learn about how to relate comes from childhood. Often we've outgrown certain ways of interacting, but it can be hard to know what or how to do things differently. My approach to therapy is collaborative and leans heavily on curiosity. I don't see therapy as a place to "get fixed" but a place to explore, learn, and embrace who you are. In order to do things differently, we need to understand ourselves, and this requires an open, non-judgmental a mind. Of course it can feel difficult and even scary to learn about yourself or discover new things, so I will work at your pace and refer to you as the expert on your experiences. I have great respect for our ability to heal and grow if given the opportunity and a safe space to do so. I believe we are all capable of living a life that aligns with who we authentically are, not the person we created to make the world happy.