Discover how starting grief & loss counseling can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
7 therapists available in Edison
As a practicing clinician in the field of psychology, I understand the rigors of striving for improvement....
About
As a practicing clinician in the field of psychology, I understand the rigors of striving for improvement.
David Wojtkowski is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 11 years of experience supporting adolescents, adults, and older adults through stress, trauma, anger, anxiety, depression, and substance use concerns. David is passionate about helping clients set clear goals, work through barriers, and move toward meaningful change in ways that feel safe and empowering.
David earned his Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Walden University. His therapeutic approach blends cognitive behavior therapy, solutions-focused therapy, and trauma-informed practices with free association and mindfulness, always tailored to meet the client’s unique needs and pace.
David is a Marine Corps veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and the father of twin teenagers. He brings a deep understanding of military trauma, anxiety, and depression, and is committed to helping clients feel seen and supported through every step of their healing journey. Reach out today!
Education and training
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As a CIS identified woman of color, I understand the unique issues of identity exploration and intersectionality....
As a CIS identified woman of color, I understand the unique issues of identity exploration and intersectionality.
Georleena Douglas is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) with 4+ years of experience practicing with adolescents and adults. Georleena specializes in anxiety, depression, sexual wellness and minor trauma, especially within the black community.
Georleena earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Queens College. She earned her Master's degree in North Carolina State University, where she received her Master's degree. She utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy (SFT), and holistic therapy, among other approaches.
Georleena will work with clients to address the source of their concerns and issues and how to use their strengths and mindfulness to overcome them. She looks forward to helping clients from all backgrounds, especially those in the black community. Schedule your session today.
I am a strong supporter of marginalized populations, such as people of color and those within the LGBTQ+ community....
I am a strong supporter of marginalized populations, such as people of color and those within the LGBTQ+ community.
Gabriella Tavarez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) of Puerto Rican descent and is a strong supporter of marginalized populations, such as people of color and those within the LGBTQ+ community. She enjoys working with adolescents and adults to help them navigate through different life circumstances in a way where they feel understood and empowered. Gabriella specializes in anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, women’s issues, and self-esteem issues.
Gabriella completed her Bachelor's degree in Sociology at Rider University and her Master's degree in Social Work at Rutgers University. She utilizes an evidence-based approach in order to tailor her practice to best match your individual needs, resulting in an effective and client-centered treatment process. Gabriella involves different treatment modalities within her treatment, including mindfulness-based approaches, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and trauma-informed (TIF) practices.
Gabriella’s form of treatment is founded on a strong therapeutic relationship, and ensuring that clients feel safe whenever in her care. As a therapist, it is her goal to help people become the best versions of themselves whatever that may look like. She looks forward to helping others achieve their therapeutic goals and live prosperous lives.
As a trauma-informed therapist grounded in social justice, I believe that people’s experiences don’t occur in a vacuum, and I’m co...
As a trauma-informed therapist grounded in social justice, I believe that people’s experiences don’t occur in a vacuum, and I’m committed to creating a safe and welcoming space where you feel heard, seen, and empowered to pursue your goals.
Agnes Kontoh is a Licensed Social Worker with 2 years of experience providing therapeutic services to children, adolescents, adults, and families in various mental health settings. Agnes integrates a trauma-informed and social justice-oriented perspective into her practice, ensuring that each client feels seen, heard, and supported in the context of their lived experience. Agnes has worked with clients navigating depression, trauma, anxiety, substance misuse, and ADHD.
Agnes earned a Master’s in Social Work from Montclair State University. She draws on evidence-based modalities tailored to each client’s unique needs, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, trauma-informed care, Christian counselling, strengths-based therapy, solution-focused therapy, and family systems theory.
Agnes believes that healing begins with connection and empowerment. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply need someone to talk to, she welcomes you to reach out. Agnes is ready to meet you where you are and walk alongside you on your journey toward healing and personal growth.
I would love to work with you to allow you to live a more meaningful and valuable life....
I would love to work with you to allow you to live a more meaningful and valuable life.
Haley Smith is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Pennsylvania who has over 11 years of experience working with children and their families seeking help with depression, anxiety, anger management, and mood disorders.
Haley has a Master's degree in Counseling and Psychology from Rosemont College, and is trained to help her clients learn cognitive behavioral (CBT) techniques to overcome difficulties such as anxiety and depression. In addition to these therapy modalities, Haley also utilizes mindfulness training to help keep her clients in the present moment and focused on the here and now. With mindfulness training comes a sense of calm that can help alleviate depression, anxiety, and stress.
Haley encourages you to start your journey to mental health wellness so that you can start to live a life where you feel confident and at ease. She seeks to establish an inviting and caring approach with you in order to help build a strong therapeutic relationship with her in order to help you build upon your strengths and help you live a more meaningful and valuable life. If you are ready to become the best version of yourself, schedule an appointment with Haley today!
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I subscribe to the philosophy that all people bring unique perspectives and strengths to the therapeutic process, and I strive to ...
I subscribe to the philosophy that all people bring unique perspectives and strengths to the therapeutic process, and I strive to help clients recognize their own strengths and build on those assets within the framework of a supportive and nurturing therapeutic relationship.
Marya Slater is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Professional Registered Nurse who is experienced working with individuals and couples. Her specialties include infertility issues, LGBTQ+ issues, depression, anxiety, stress management, grief, relationship issues, and chronic illness. Subscribing to the philosophy that all people bring unique perspectives and strengths to the therapeutic process, Marya strives to help clients recognize their own strengths and build on those assets within the framework of a supportive and nurturing therapeutic relationship.
Marya obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from New York University and her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. Her diverse educational background has enabled Marya to explore therapeutic issues through a broad lens. She maintained a private therapy practice in Manhattan for over 10 years.
Marya works from a psychodynamic perspective believing that underlying patterns of behavior can be addressed by utilizing the therapeutic relationship as a vehicle for change. Rather than endorsing a singular methodology, Marya also utilizes techniques from other therapeutic perspectives such as cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused approaches to help clients achieve short-term goals while working to address deeper issues in order to live more satisfying, fulfilling lives.
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My go to approach for providing grief and loss counseling is to use emotional validation and strong emotional support for the client dealing with a recent loss. I have experienced a loss recently (August 2023) when my older brother passed away at the age of 62. I truly try to empathize with the client and meet them where they are currently at emotionally.
I will tie in discussions of mortality, and other existential aspects of life and death. In addition, loss can take many forms. A client may have recently been fired/laid off from a job or may have recently solidified a pending legal divorce. Adjusting to major life changes will be addressed during each therapy session.
I know a client is making meaningful progress in grief & loss counseling when they can freely verbalize their feelings concerning their loss. Many times, a client may be overtaken or stricken with such grief and sadness they are unable to verbalize things without becoming severely emotional crying sobbing etc... I try my best to provide a safe warm environment within each session where the client feels connected to me as a therapist and feels comfortable sharing vulnerable emotions.
Clients can supplement their time in grief & loss counseling by reading self-help materials. In addition, clients can begin to explore possible group therapy to connect with other individuals who are also experiencing grief and loss. To not feel as if one is alone can be a very cathartic experience which can foster healing.
To prepare for their first grief & loss counseling session, an individual can work on keeping an open mind and perhaps make a list of what major points they want to address in therapy. Some common themes may include, anger, acceptance, bargaining, and ultimately achieving an inner peace.
Grief and loss counseling helps people grieve difficult losses including the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, or the end of a relationship. It helps people navigate their grief process and eventually accept, understand, and move forward from their loss. Thriveworks grief therapists in Edison, NJ have specific experience, training, and skills that enable them to best support grieving individuals.
Grief and loss counseling isn’t one-size-fits-all, but it involves sharing about your loss and then working with your counselor to acknowledge and accept your new reality in its wake. Your provider at Thriveworks in Edison, NJ will design your treatment plan around your unique needs and goals for therapy, applying the counseling techniques that best support them.
If you have recently experienced an event like the death of a loved one, a breakup or divorce, the loss of a job, or another major life change, then you may want to seek grief and loss counseling. Grief can be caused by many experiences and events, so if you feel that you are having trouble moving on from a certain event or find that it is still impacting your life and functioning, grief and loss counseling can help you process it more effectively so that you can move on and once again find fulfillment and satisfaction in your life.
There are many counseling theories for treating grief, one of the most frequently used being the dual process model of grief which helps people acknowledge who or what they’ve lost through rumination while also adjusting to the new roles and identities that this loss has now placed on them. There are also many commonly used therapy approaches used in grief and loss counseling, including Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and traumatic grief therapy.
Grief & loss counseling at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
For many, grief and loss counseling lasts for about 6 months. For others, it may last shorter or longer, depending on the severity of their loss and their grief.
Unfortunately, at some point in our lives, we will lose someone close to us. Whether it is a family member, friend, or beloved pet, this type of loss can be overwhelming and hard to navigate. You can’t really prepare for it. It is painful. It is confusing. It can feel like you are reaching out into the dark, hoping to grab a hold of some form of relief. Despite these feelings, it is important to work through your emotions and head back towards a state of happiness.
Grief can feel very isolating. However, Thriveworks Edison Therapy grief counseling wants you to know that you do not have to do it alone. We have licensed therapists who understand the way grieving works, as well as how difficult it can be to overcome it. If you need help healing from mourning any type of loss, we are here to support you. Reach out today for support.
Grieving, mourning, bereavement, heartbreak. There are several different stages of the feelings we have and the challenges we experience following a loss. These stages tend to follow a predictable pattern, and each plays an important role in helping you come to a place of peace and acceptance. The five different stages and what you can expect from them are:
It takes courage and reflection to be able to ask yourself this question. There’s no simple yes or no answer. It’s important to reflect on your emotions and ask yourself if you are happy with where you are. Whether your emotions are overwhelmingly hard to handle or there just enough to remind you of the past, any person dealing with a loss could benefit from grief therapy. There are several different emotions you could potentially be feeling that may be best to talk to a therapist about including:
You don’t have to be just grieving the loss of someone in order to have these feelings. Even the loss of a job, a broken friendship, or breakup can evoke these feelings of grief. Whatever your situation may be, we want to provide you with the care you need.
If you are ready to take the next step towards finding peace, schedule an appointment with us through our online booking portal or by calling the office to be connected with one of our scheduling specialists. For your convenience, we also offer online counseling sessions that can be held from the comfort of your own home. When you are ready, we will be here.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
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