Discover how starting Trauma/PTSD 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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My go-to approach for helping people in trauma therapy is using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) tools in sessions. I find CBT to be beneficial for working with trauma since it helps clients examine the thoughts that are often behind the trauma and understand how that may be affecting their feelings or behaviors. These tools also help to explore specific strategies to recognize problematic thoughts more effectively, and how to challenge these thoughts.
When working with a client who's experienced trauma, we will often work on first exploring the nature of the trauma and understanding the impacts that the trauma has had on the person's mental health. This can involve using narrative approaches, which is a way of further unpacking the trauma in detail. Then we can work on exploring the thought patterns behind that trauma and how to challenge these thoughts, as well as working on coping with trauma-related triggers and developing healthy coping strategies to work through the effects of the trauma.
I know a client is making meaningful progress in trauma therapy when they are reporting feeling a greater sense of calm and peace, have the ability to cope with their trauma-related triggers, and are able to go through their day-to-day life without the worries of their trauma negatively affecting their present life.
Clients can supplement their time in trauma therapy by spending time prioritizing their individual needs to improve their relationship with themself. This can include practicing more self-care, setting boundaries, spending more time focusing on hobbies or interests, and of course practicing the tools that they've been learning in therapy to help improve their mental health!
To prepare for your first trauma therapy session, you can identify some of the main reasons that you want to come to therapy at this time. Trauma can affect someone's life in a lot of ways, so any background information will really help your therapist determine a plan for how they can support you. Even though it can be difficult to discuss, knowing about the nature of your trauma and the impacts that it has had on you can help your therapist to best help you!
At Thriveworks, Trauma/PTSD therapy involves dedicated efforts to address and navigate through past and/or recent traumatic events. Therapists specializing in trauma create a secure environment to process and heal from these experiences, aiming to reduce trauma-related symptoms and enhance overall quality of life.
Our Thriveworks providers use Trauma/PTSD therapy treatments like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing EMDR, CBT, and exposure therapy with the goal of helping clients process the traumatic events they have experienced so that they can to start feeling safe and secure again.
The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can vary but often include:
The best way to overcome PTSD triggers is to seek the assistance of a professional therapist, such as those at Thriveworks, who can help you to understand and treat your PTSD triggers.
In most cases, a therapist who specializes in Trauma/PTSD therapy is the best type of mental health professional to address the symptoms of PTSD.
PTSD/trauma therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
If a client is working through a single traumatic event that occurred as an adult, trauma or PTSD therapy may only take a few months, but in general, it can take a year or more to effectively treat trauma symptoms and PTSD. The duration of treatment is highly dependent on the client and the severity of their symptoms.
The success rate of therapy for PTSD depends entirely on the individual’s symptoms, commitment to attending sessions, and personal abilities.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
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