Starting therapy isn’t necessarily easy. In fact, neither is therapy itself. The old tropes of laying on a couch while someone mysteriously scribbles notes on a legal pad are, frankly, played out, and the stigma about seeking mental health support couldn’t be more wrong. Therapy is often hard work – it takes courage, vulnerability, motivation, and a willingness to look inward and want to build a better relationship with yourself, for yourself and for others. However, like with most challenges, getting started can sometimes be the hardest part, especially when it comes to finding the right therapist for you. Luckily, we have a slew of great therapists here in Hoboken, Jersey City, and the Hudson County area, who specialize in different areas of psychotherapy. Read on for guidance from local Hudson County pros on how to find a local therapist by specialty.
Therapists Who Specialize in Couples Therapy
All therapy requires self-awareness and introspection, but in couples therapy, two individuals really have to commit to taking a good look at themselves, while acknowledging their imperfections so that they can heal, learn, grow, and love. Couples therapy requires humility, and + a willingness to learn to balance change while being patient and gentle. It requires grace, love, vulnerability, and persistence. Couples therapy is a marathon, not a sprint. Here are some local couples therapists:
Kristen Hullinger MSW, LCSW
Kristen is a Certified Gottman Therapist, who works with you to establish a sense of well-being when things aren’t feeling clear. Kristen helps her clients pay attention to the challenges interfering with their wellness no matter the Life Transitions you are currently navigating. Learn more about Kristen here.
Amanda Chavez, LPC
Amanda specializes in working with adults and couples of all backgrounds, including people of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, and immigrants. Amanda has a specialty in trauma and she utilizes the Gottman Method in her couples work.
Read More: 25 Ways to Recognize Mental Health Awareness Month From a Local Therapist
Therapists Specializing in Teen / Children Therapy
Let’s not forget that mental health is health. The brain is an incredibly complex thing, so much so that researchers are still always trying to understand it. One thing that researchers do understand is the importance of brain development during childhood and adolescence, which is why therapy services can be so powerful for children and families. It is a true disservice if we neglect and ignore such an important and impactful part of ourselves. Here are some local therapists that work with children and teens:
Alex Bykowski, MSW, LCSW
Alex is a male therapist with 8 years in the field. He specializes in working with teens and adolescents dealing with life transitions, stress, family conflict, and is an advocate for supporting men’s mental health. His favorite therapy-ism is “you’re either actively working for something to improve or you’re allowing it to happen.” You can learn more about Alex here.
Mindful Power LLC
The coaching and therapy practice offered at Mindful Power includes CBT for the Millennials, Nutritional and Integrative Medicine as well as Technology with Therapy. The group of therapists mainly helps people who are preteens to older adults.
Starr Therapy
Starr Therapy in Hoboken uses a dually focused approach with children. Therapists work to teach children how to cope, modify behaviors, and overcome the issues that brought them to therapy while also integrating parent coaching. This approach helps children reach their goals faster because of their parents’ involvement.
Kayla Murphy, LPC, LMHC
Kayla specializes in working with children of all ages, teens, young adults, and families. She has extensive experience working with children ages 0 and up, assisting with irritability, lack of concentration, behavioral issues, and more! Kayla uses play therapy, art therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and multiple other clinical approaches. In her free time, she enjoys reading and dancing which helps her maintain a healthy work/life balance so she can best serve her clients. You can learn more about Kayla here.
Therapists Specializing in Help With Eating Disorders
Hard truth: emotions are part of our human experience, they pop up to teach us little life lessons. Therapy allows people to gain professional support and truly connect the mind and heart. Therapy provides a space for our thoughts and emotions to connect, and work things out. What you might not know is that Eating Disorders are also emotional disorders, and if you’re looking for local experts, here are a few:
Amanda Zacharias
Amanda has over 18 years of experience in the mental health field, and during this time has specialized in the treatment of Eating Disorders. She pulls from a variety of methodologies to tailor her approach to fit each individual client. Amanda has immediate openings if you’re ready to take the next step.
Healing On Hudson
Dr. Cassandra Lenza, LCSW, and Emily Henning, LPC, CCTP at Healing on Hudson are specialized therapists for eating disorders, body image, anxiety, depression, and trauma. Healing on Hudson prides themselves on being experts for eating disorder treatment. Dr. Cassandra loves to remind her clients that “nothing changes if nothing changes.” Embark on your journey of change by visiting their site for their locations in Hoboken, Manasquan, or to do virtual therapy in New York or New Jersey.
Therapists Specialized in Men’s Mental Health
People need not only seek therapy when they’re navigating a significant stressor, but people deserve a space to heal. We deserve a place where we can go to learn how to connect with our emotions. Humans are worthy of having a safe space to be heard, to unpack the complexities of life, and to just be. Men are no exception here, and if you’re a male who is ready to begin your healing journey, here are some local therapists for you:
Alex Bykowski, MSW, LCSW
Alex is a male therapist with 8 years in the field. He specializes in working with teens and adolescents dealing with life transitions, stress, family conflict, and is an advocate for supporting men’s mental health. His favorite therapy-ism is “you’re either actively working for something to improve or you’re allowing it to happen.”
Jim Mindnich, LCSW, LCSW-R
Jim has over 25 years of experience. Jim specializes in men’s mental health issues, helping those dealing with anxiety, depression, addiction, school/career stress, life transitions, chronic illness, and grief. You can learn more about Jim here.
See More: This Woman-Owned Therapy Practice Specializes in Millennials + Gen Z
Additional Therapy Resources
Through therapy, people learn, explore, release, connect, get uncomfortable, change, redefine, grow, + so much more. Therapy is like going to the gym, but for your brain. It’s sweaty, hard, and uncomfortable, but equally rewarding. In choosing this sweaty, hard, uncomfortable path, you and only you are choosing to show up for yourself. Your strength and persistence will shine, and your efforts are impossible not to notice.
Specialist For Anxiety
Joseph P. Coleman, PhD at Liberty Psychological Services is a licensed psychologist who understands anxiety. He helps his adult patients learn the true meaning of anxiety and to harness its power. Joe’s favorite moments are when his patients realize how normal and natural their anxiety is and how it can be a beacon of strength in work, relationships, and communication.
Holistic Wellness
Be.WELL is a Hoboken based therapy practice offering services in person in Hoboken, and virtually throughout NJ + in NYC. In addition to their wide range of specialities, they offer a holistic program that uses holistic health practices and mindfulness tools tailored to you to empower you to bring balance to your sleep, digestion, creativity, physical resilience, and mental clarity.
Specialist in Trauma
Ami Patel Kang, LCSW at the Lukin Center specializes in working with attachment issues and trauma in adults and couples utilizing an EFT (Emotion Focused Therapy) and trauma focused (including use of EMDR) approach. She believes that the therapeutic relationship is like many other relationships where it is important to feel safe enough to advocate for your needs and sometimes it takes a few tries to find your person.
Virtual Reality Therapy
Mind By Design LLC was founded by Rebecca Sidotti, MSW, LCSW where therapists use Virtual Reality Therapy to treat Anxiety Disorders, Phobias, and OCD. You can learn more about Rebecca + her team here.
Therapy For Yourself + Family
Anchor Therapy located in Downtown Hoboken works to help you, or your child, feel relief from whatever stress you are struggling with now. Their goal is to be the person you can rely on to help you make it through a difficult time. You will have them every step of the way so that you feel fully supported. When you start to feel better, you will notice other areas of your life improving as well. Anchor Therapy helps individuals of all ages as well as couples and families. To reach out you can fill out the form on their website. 
