Discover how starting dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
7 therapists available in Paramus
Drawing from my professional background and lived experience, I deeply understand how adverse life events can affect one’s identit...
About
Drawing from my professional background and lived experience, I deeply understand how adverse life events can affect one’s identity, relationships, and overall well-being, and I’m passionate about supporting others through their healing journey by offering empathy, guidance, and a safe space where they feel seen, heard, and empowered.
Kristina Feliciano is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 11 years of experience in the mental health field. She specializes in supporting individuals facing co-occurring disorders and dual diagnoses. Kristina uses a trauma-informed, holistic approach that integrates the mind-body connection to help clients navigate life’s challenges. She empowers individuals to overcome negative patterns, rediscover their strengths, and take meaningful steps toward lasting transformation.
Kristina earned her Master’s in Social Work from Ramapo College. She provides a safe and supportive space for clients to reconnect with their inner strengths, explore root causes of distress, and develop practical tools for change. Her work is grounded in respect, insight, and the belief that every person holds the potential for healing and growth.
If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or ready for change, Kristina is here to help. She partners with clients to explore barriers, build resilience, and move forward with clarity. With compassion and curiosity, Kristina walks alongside each client on their unique journey toward healing and self-discovery.
Education and training
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As a man of color, I understand the struggles and needing to be resilient and overcoming barriers while normalizing the stigma of ...
As a man of color, I understand the struggles and needing to be resilient and overcoming barriers while normalizing the stigma of mental health.
Elijawon is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over nine years of experience in the mental health field. He has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, families, couples, and individuals with developmental disabilities. Elijawon is passionate about helping others navigate unique challenges to improve their quality of life and achieve their goals and dreams. Elijawon is an eclectic counselor that does not believe in being a "One-Trick Pony," as each approach applies to the individual's different needs.
Elijawon (Eli) completed his Masters of Arts in Counseling at Kean University. He has clinical counseling, case management, and school counseling experience working with many individuals. Elijawon utilizes multiple treatment approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, and mindfulness.
Everyone faces challenges and situations that they try to overcome. Elijawon is adamant about guiding individuals to their goals, is an empathetic and active listener, and provides the resources to educate and empower others. If you are ready to take that leap of faith and gain new strategies to cope and conquer, please reach out and schedule an appointment!
I strive to provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space grounded in empathy where we can address your unique challenges and foster m...
I strive to provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space grounded in empathy where we can address your unique challenges and foster meaningful change.
Tusharbala Sethy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 14 years of experience helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of mental health and emotional well-being. She has worked in a variety of treatment settings treating clients with a diverse range of clinical needs including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, PTSD, trauma, intimate partner violence, grief, adjustment disorders, self-esteem issues, and other behavioral health disorders. Tusharbala aims to provide a safe, nonjudgmental space for clients to begin their therapeutic process, work towards their goals, and feel supported through life changes.
Tusharbala has a Master’s in Social Work from New York University. She utilizes modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, mindfulness, dialectical behavior therapy, psycho-education, grief counseling, person-centered therapy, and motivational interviewing.
Working through life's challenges can often feel overwhelming. Whether you are dealing with moments of uncertainty, managing past experiences, or struggling with daily emotions, you do not have to face these alone. Tusharbala provides a compassionate environment and a safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings. Reach out today!
I understand that taking the first step toward therapy can be hard, and I am here to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where you ...
I understand that taking the first step toward therapy can be hard, and I am here to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can feel heard, supported, and empowered to grow.
Michelle Hillock is a Licensed Associate Counselor with over 5 years of experience in mental health and 2 years in clinical practice. She has worked with teens, adults, and seniors and specializes in helping individuals navigate challenges such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, life transitions, relationship issues, attachment concerns, and self-esteem. Michelle’s ideal clients seek support in understanding themselves, building emotional resilience, and making meaningful changes to improve their well-being.
Michelle received her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. She creates meaningful change by using cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and person-centered therapy.
Michelle believes therapy is a collaborative process and offers warmth, support, and genuine care as you explore your strengths and challenges and gain clarity. She is here to walk alongside you on your journey toward healing and growth. Take the first step by calling the office or scheduling a session online!
As a therapist, I strive to empower individuals to make positive and sustainable changes in their lives, while providing a safe an...
As a therapist, I strive to empower individuals to make positive and sustainable changes in their lives, while providing a safe and non-judgmental space in which personal growth can occur.
Ilana Epstein is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of New Jersey with 8 years of experience working in the mental health field. Ilana aims to provide clients with a safe, non-judgmental environment, one that will offer clients the space they need to begin working towards their personal goals, while learning how to effectively manage and prioritize their mental and emotional well-being. Ilana has worked within a wide variety of treatment settings and has experience treating a diverse range of clinical needs, including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, LGBTQIA+ issues, and substance use disorders. Her practice style is upfront, honest, and compassionate, and she will work with you to determine the best therapeutic approach to effectively address your current concerns and treatment goals.
Ilana received her Master’s degree in Social Work from Rutgers University. Through her educational background and professional experience, she understands the many circumstances that contribute to making us unique — culturally, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. Ilana aims to guide clients through their unique mental health journey by providing them with the individualized support that they need to grow. Some of the therapeutic approaches she uses to navigate these areas include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), person-centered therapy (PCT), and motivational interviewing.
There are times when we all could benefit from extra support, when the challenges we are facing may feel daunting and insurmountable. Ilana strives to empower individuals, and to assist them in recognizing the abilities they have to create positive changes in their lives, while supporting them as they embark on their mental health journey. Ilana will be there to offer help and support along the way.
I believe everyone has the capacity for growth, healing, and creating a life that feels more aligned....
I believe everyone has the capacity for growth, healing, and creating a life that feels more aligned.
Briana Mahaffey is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 10 years of experience and a deep commitment to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges and create meaningful change. She has experience working in mental health with individuals across the lifespan, - from children to adults. Briana specializes in working with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, PTSD, ADHD, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Briana received her Master’s of Social Work from New York University. Her therapeutic approach is grounded in evidence-based practices, drawing from cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and a humanistic perspective that centers each client’s unique experience.
With a deep commitment to exceptional service, Briana believes in putting clients first, always. She strives to build lasting relationships by truly understanding each client’s needs and delivering thoughtful, personalized solutions. She strives to create a warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental space where her clients feel empowered to grow.
*Clients 11 years old and under must be seen for in-person sessions.
Erica Pena is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of New Jersey serving children, adolescents, adults, couples, a...
Erica Pena is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of New Jersey serving children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families from diverse and multicultural backgrounds.
Erica completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Lock Haven University and received her Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling and Psychology from William Paterson. She utilizes various evidence-based approaches, such as relational, collaborative, strength-based, cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness-based, solution-focused, and emotionally-focused approaches to assist clients along the change process.
Erica seeks to establish a therapeutic environment that embodies creativity, flexibility, and awareness to meet the needs of every unique individual and couple. She sees therapy as a collaborative effort with clients in identifying goals and potential solutions to alleviate emotional distress, improve communication skills, strengthen self-care strategies, and promote renewed sense of purpose.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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Dialectical behavioral therapy involves providing psychoeducation about multiple topics to help clients feel more in control of their emotions, have balanced thoughts, and improve relationships with others in their lives.
Dialectical behavioral therapy involves learning about the following topics:
When clients report that they are feeling more in control of their emotions and thoughts, this is a good sign that they are making meaningful progress in their dialectical behavioral therapy!
Clients can supplement their time in dialectical behavioral therapy by practicing the skills discussed in sessions through the use of worksheets or journaling exercises provided to them by their therapist.
To prepare for your first dialectical behavioral therapy session, you can identify some of the main reasons that you want to come to therapy at this time. This can include a variety of reasons, but it would help the therapist to know what your motivation is for coming to therapy and what you'd like to see change. Also, keep in mind that your first session will likely involve being asked a lot of questions, but this is not the norm for every session! This is just for the therapist to get the background information that they need to help you move forward and make progress in therapy.
At Thriveworks, Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) primarily concentrates on assisting individuals in emotion regulation, enhancing interpersonal relationships, and acquiring effective coping strategies for managing stress and emotional difficulties.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) targets your personal challenges. You may work with your DBT therapist to maintain diary cards to monitor progress, emphasizing validation and support in the therapeutic relationship. DBT follows a stage-based approach, prioritizing crisis reduction initially and life satisfaction.
DBT was initially developed to address the needs of individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, its versatile approach has enabled its application to a wide range of mental health conditions, including but not limited to, anxiety, depression, stress, and anger issues.
The 4 pillars of DBT are mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) have distinct purposes and aren’t inherently superior or inferior to one another. DBT is most effective for managing emotional regulation, personality disorders, and interpersonal challenges, while EMDR is specifically tailored for individuals with trauma-related conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with therapists at Thriveworks in Paramus, NJ is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
The duration of a standard DBT program is typically around 24 weeks, which is roughly six months. The actual number of sessions will vary depending on the issues you wish to address.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
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