Couples Counseling

Every couple can experience challenges in their relationship. Differences in parenting philosophies, interference from extended family, illness, grief, addictions, economic hardship, difficulties with intimacy and adultery can all negatively impact a relationship. Psychotherapy can provide a safe container to process wounds and establish new communication patterns that facilitate trust. Partners can learn to appreciate and respect one another again, opening the door for a renewed sense of passion and commitment.

Psychodrama

"Psychodrama is an in depth method of group psychotherapy originated by J.L. Moreno, M.D. Action methods are used to enable past, present and future life events to be explored. Issues or problems and their possible solutions are enacted rather than just talked about. Psychodrama offers the opportunity to practice new roles safely, see oneself from outside, and gain insight and change. There is a director, an action area and group members. The director supports groups to explore new solutions to old problems, group members participate in the drama as significant others and share how they personally relate to and can learn from the presenting issue at the end of the session."

from www.tonisant.com

Sand Play Trainings

For professionals interested in learning Sand Play Therapy, we offer several levels of instruction, from beginner to advanced. On-site trainings are state of the art, using PowerPoint technology to enhance the learning experience of our attendees. In addition, we use a small-group (no more than 10 participants), experiential format in an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere. To deepen your Sand Play education, we also have individual Sand Play Supervision. If you and your staff are unable to come to our Center, we offer off-site trainings at your facility. Please contact us for our training schedule and to be added to our mailing list.

Private Practice Consultation

Gone are the days when a licensed clinician could simply "hang a shingle" and begin treating clients. For professionals who are interested in starting a private practice, it is critical to have guidance throughout the process. By assisting with your business foundation, a skilled consultant can help you avoid some of the common pitfalls that could interfere with your ability to practice. In addition, for clinicians who are already established in their private practice, consultation can help clarify your goals, streamline your billing, assist with marketing strategies and help create an office atmosphere that promotes wellness for your clients.

Behavior Modification

If you are a parent or guardian who is interested in seeing improved behaviors in your child, behavior modification can be a very effective tool. Depending on your needs, we will design a program that can increase the frequency of positive behaviors and decrease episodes of negative or dangerous behaviors. Behavior modification programs are most effective when all adults involved in the child's life make a commitment to eradicate the problematic behavior(s).

Anger Management

Anger is a normal and healthy human emotion. When expressed inappropriately, it can lead to passive aggressive, hostile and cynical personality traits, interfering with with your ability to maintain relationships. Extreme episodes of anger can lead to verbal and physical abuse of your loved ones, as well as road rage and battery of strangers. Anger management can teach you how to express anger in a positive, non-hurtful way.

Myofascial Release

A treatment focusing on releasing restrictions in the
body's connective tissue. Recommended treatment for
chronic pain, headaches, TMJ syndrome, plantar
fascitis and sports related injuries.

Lymphatic Drainage

A gentle, rhythmic massage consisting of specialized techniques which are utilized to increase lymph flow and increase immune defense. Conditions benefiting from LDM include chronic sinusitis, post surgical and post traumatic edema, post mastectomy, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and clients going through a detox program.

Primal Reflex Release Techniques

An exciting new, non-invasive treatment for pain and dysfunction including fibromyalgia, migraines, sports injuries and TMJ Syndrome. The therapist performs a one minute exam to identify pain patterns and reflexes stored in the body. A series of 10-12 second maneuvers are applied to down-regulate these trigger zones and release pain patterns. Many patients experience relief from their condition in as little as 2-4 sessions. PRRT can be combined effectively with other massage modalities.

Stress Reduction

A technique which employs deep breathing, guided imagery and 'mindfulness' in a meditative atmosphere to promote deep relaxation. Recommended for relief of anxiety, depression and overall stress management.

Guided Imagery

"Guided imagery is a relaxation technique aimed at easing stress, and promoting a sense of peace and tranquility at a stressful or difficult time in someone's life.

It is a process of incorporating the power of the mind to assist the body to heal, maintain health or relax by way of an inner communication involving all senses, (i.e. visual, touch, smell, sight, sound), thus forming an emotional connection between the mind, body and spirit."

from www.guidedimageryinc.com

Group Therapy

Many issues such as grief, parenting, illness, divorce and death may make one feel alone. Facilitated group therapy for adults can help focus on goals and effective behaviors that can alter the overwhelming stress of dealing with major life events. Group therapy for children can identify problematic behaviors and offer a platform for the child to practice new skills in the presence of their peers.

Betta de Boer-van der Kolk

We are pleased to announce Betta de Boer-van der Kolk will be our guest speaker April 5-6, 2008.

This is a wonderful opportunity for doctors, psychotherapists, nutritionists, massage therapists, energy workers and yoga practitioners to train with a world renown specialist in body-oriented therapies.

The conference will be held at the beautiful Sheraton Eatontown Hotel and Conference Center, with a discounted block of hotel rooms to be made available for our out of town guests. Please check back in November for conference information and registration, or contact Ruth at extension 302 with questions or early registration requests."

Addictions

The development of the addictive personality is not an overnight event. Often times, an addicted person will have a history of trauma and grief. It is critical to have a comprehensive treatment plan with a therapist who specializes in addictions work in order to make a full recovery. We treat addictions to illegal drugs, alcohol and prescription medications as well as sexual addictions.

Sand Play

Often, when people have a history of trauma, the coping skills that function to help them survive, become a barrier to healing. Some of the common defenses that hinder the process of healing in adults are intellectualization, rationalization, projection and even dissociation. With children, trauma or stress may present as impulsivity, hyperactivity, poor social skills and poor school performance.

Sand Play therapy allows the person to tap into the psyche. Through the use of symbolic figures, a person is able to create in the sand tray stories which examine their wounds, the effects from those wounds, and the possibilities for resolution. The practitioner is then able to help a person to connect insights to feelings and begin the journey toward healing. Through Sand Play, the adult client is able to build the skills necessary to avoid the problematic patterns of the past. Children's thoughts and feelings are given a voice through symbolic play, enabling them to resolve their issues in a language they understand.

CLICK HERE for more information about Sand Play Therapy

EMDR

"Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) integrates elements of many effective psychotherapies in structured protocols that are designed to maximize treatment effects. These include psychodynamics, cognitive behavioral, interpersonal, experiential, and body-centered therapies. EMDR is an information processing therapy and uses an eight phase approach ....After EMDR processing, clients generally report that the emotional distress related to the memory has been eliminated, or greatly decreased, and that they have gained important cognitive insights.

Importantly, these emotional and cognitive changes usually result in spontaneous behavioral and personal change, which are further enhanced with standard EMDR procedures."

From Francine Shapiro,
www.emdr.com/briefdes.htm

Community Support

While the majority of our services take place in an office setting, there are special circumstances that warrant support for our clients in the community.

Our staff are available to participate in Child Study Team conferences, case management treatment planning meetings, hospital visits and home-based psychotherapy treatment.

Community support is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and are subject to specific guidelines for the protection of our staff.

* Fees will be paid in full in advance of the scheduled visit unless other arrangements have been made.

*If requested, In home psychotherapy services, school and hospital visits can be submitted to insurance companies, but reimbursement can not be guaranteed. Travel expenses, billed at a rate of $30 every 15 minutes ( $60 minimum ), will not be reimbursed by insurance companies.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual
and Transgender

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender clients have a unique developmental process that necessitates specialized evaluation and treatment.

In addition to individual therapy, our Center offers couples counseling and adolescent group therapy for the LGBT community.

Shiatsu / Acupressure

Oriental-based treatment using finger and/or palm pressure to treat special points along the meridians (energy channels). Stretching is applied to relieve muscle tension promoting balance and freedom of movement. Shiatsu techniques can be used alone, through clothing, or incorporated into a Swedish massage.

Parent Counseling

Parenting in the 21st century can be a challenging endeavor. Your child may have recently been diagnosed with a developmental disability. You may have provided a safe and happy home for your child but discover one day that your child was exposed to pornography on the internet. Your child may seem entitled, demanding and under-appreciative of you as a parent. It can be helpful to discuss parenting concerns with an unbiased professional in order to gain insight into your decision-making process.

Social Skills

Perhaps you have a son who becomes anxious and refuses to participate in team sports. You may have a daughter who has difficulty making or keeping friends and plays alone at recess. Perhaps the school has contacted you to report that your child is bullying other children on the bus, and is in danger of being expelled. Social skills training can help children learn appropriate behaviors for a variety of situations. With supportive guidance, children can feel more confident when interacting with their peers, and begin to make better choices in their daily lives.

In addition to individual and family therapy to address these issues, we are one of the few Centers to offer social skills groups for children with Aspergers Syndrome and ADHD.