Find a Therapist near Shrewsbury, NJ

LMFT

Throughout my time as a mental health counselor, I have had the opportunity to work with various different ages and populations. I specialize in working with children and teenagers who are experiencing suicidal ideation, depressionanxiety, trauma, and relationship issues. I use narrative therapy to allow my clients to tell their stories and feel in control of their healing journey. I also like to use motivational interviewing to assist my clients in understanding any resistance to change and in creating small, achievable goals. I also have experience using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with clients who engage in irrational thinking to help them understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interrelated. My ideal client is someone who has a hard time both understanding and expressing their thoughts, needs, and emotions. This individual most likely wants to understand where their pain is stemming from and why they feel the way that they do. I would work with this individual on identifying current and past stressors that contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression. I would also assist them in implementing new coping skills and improving overall self-esteem and confidence, so they are able to better understand themselves and their needs and create their own happiness in their daily lives. I am able to help my clients by creating a safe, supportive, and comfortable environment where they are able to explore and better understand their mental health needs. I truly feel the key to a successful therapy journey is the therapeutic relationship where the client feels understood and supported by their therapist. I strive to build this relationship with each of my clients by learning about their strengths, hobbies, and relationships and using these things as part of their healing process. Throughout my time as a therapist, I have had extensive experience working with children and teenagers. While working with this population, I have seen the impact social media, COVID-19, and today's society in general have had on adolescents' mental health. I strive to use my expertise and experience to support younger populations in making sense of the world and feeling comfortable and confident in themselves.

I've been a practicing psychotherapist since 1982 and use an integrative and humanistic approach to problem solving, symptom relief, and relationship repair. I'm trained in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and over the years have integrated spiritual, behavioral and cognitive techniques. I believe people are entitled to be heard without judgment or criticism. I provide a corrective emotional experience that allows clients to feel fully entitled and free to be assertive, connected, and reach their fullest potential.

My passion is working with young people and their families concerned about the impact of substance use in their lives. I understand that many people have been harmed by one-size-fit-all treatment approaches, so self-empowerment is my focus and my approach is person- and family-centric. There are many paths to wellness. This means that you are in charge of your treatment goals. I understand that any change is difficult so I'll meet you where you're at in the change process to empower you to take the next steps. People use substances for reasons. I'll work with you to help you understand your relationship with substances and collaborate with you to develop tools and strategies to reduce any harms associated with your use. Goals may include safer use, reduced use or abstinence.

In a comfortable and supportive atmosphere, I offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each of my client's individual needs.

Do you struggle with people-pleasing, perfectionism, and low self-confidence? Does imposter syndrome and fear of failure get in the way of your aspirations? You try to form deeper connections, but your relationships are filled with drama and people who lack emotional maturity, draining your energy and diminishing your self-esteem. If this sounds like you, I can help. Using mindfulness and holistic, body-based practices, I can help you develop tools for improving your mood and focus, helping you feel calmer and better equipped to overcome the effects of relational trauma and complex posttraumatic stress (PTSD).  My style is holistic and relational, integrating somatic, psychodynamic, and experiential-based modalities through a trauma-informed, cross-cultural perspective. In our work together, you can expect a safe and trusting environment where you can explore the early life experiences and relationships that impacted your development and shaped your behaviors and patterns of relating to yourself and others. We'll work collaboratively to develop practices that nurture the mind-body connection, including meditation, visualization, and artistic expression, to find your voice, rewrite false narratives, and liberate yourself from the fear that fuels your shame. This approach emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic alliance in cultivating emotional safety, regulation, and mindful awareness. You'll feel supported as you learn to view your life through a lens of compassion and acceptance, empowering you to take control of your healing journey.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of where to turn, you're not alone. Whether you're facing anxiety, depression, trauma, or life transitions, I’m here to help you navigate those feelings with support, understanding, and care. I believe in meeting you where you are, listening deeply, and creating a safe, non-judgmental space for you to explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. My goal is to help you gain insight, build resilience, and develop the tools you need to move forward with confidence. Together, we’ll work through challenges at your pace, using evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness techniques. I’m here to support your journey and help you find the clarity and peace you're looking for. Let’s take the next step together—your healing begins here.

*FREE ONE HALF HOUR EVALUATION SESSION *AWARD WINNING PRACTICE: "BEST OF 2018, PSYCHOTHERAPIST" *RESULTS THERAPY *LIFE COACH *BUILD A LIFE SKILLS TOOLBOX OF STRENGTHS. *PROCESS AND RESOLVE ISSUES. *WEBSITE: https:buffy-bernhardt-k52s.squarespace.com *5 Star Google Reviews ***RESULTS THERAPY: A PROGRAM THAT TEACHES YOU HOW TO ELEVATE YOUR LIFE. LEARN TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES THAT THROW YOU OFF. WITH PROVEN TECHNIQUES TO HJELP SOLVE YOUR ISSUES, YOU WILL LEARN TO CREATE THE LIFE YOU ENVISION FOR YOURSELF. ***INDUSTRIES SERVED: BUSINESS, ENTERTAINMENT AND ARTS, SELF-EMPLOYED, EDUCATION, MEDICAL, HUMAN SERVICES, SPORTS, GOVERNMENT, LAW, ETC. We process issues together, then build a life skills toolbox. These tools will help you successfully resolve issues and empower your life. From a heart centered, holistic perspective, (body, mind, spirit). I will work with you as a psychotherapist-life coach in resolving life's challenges in order to develop direction, clarity and personal inner strength.....and create the life you want. I invite you to let me help you heal your life. THERAPIST ROLE: With a gentle, and compassionate approach I create a safe space in which we can explore your issues together. Sometimes we can find ourselves in state of "stuckness", negativity, confusion, fear, with limiting beliefs that can prevent us from moving forward. My role as a therapist is not only to guide you through challenges and transitions in an inclusive and nurturing way, but also to provide you with a deeper understanding of behaviors and stories that may be limiting your resolution and growth, in order to integrate the many parts of your self and manifest a life of fulfillment. PEOPLE SEE ME FOR: Marriage counseling, relationships, all stages of life transition, bereavement, emotional, behavioral challenges, birthpregnancy, personal coaching, personal and spiritual growth, etc. INNER STRENGTHS: Engaging in an inner process while learning to access your "wiser Self" is part of restoring your life to one of harmony, empowerment and well being. As you journey into this process, you will access your greater potential and creative gifts that will serve you in this transformation. TOOLS FOR GROWTH: Insight is only part of the process. It is also important to learn new tools that help change and heal your issues. As you develop deeper insights into your circumstances, you will want to implement new behaviors, healthy thought patterns, while enhancing your strengths. Together we will explore your history, unpack insights and create a tool box of life transforming techniques that will help you develop new and positive ways to grow and cope with life's challenges. SESSIONS MAY INCLUDE: Each session is tailor made according to my client's needs. Discussion, processing, goal and achievement setting, stress reduction, mindfulness practices, meditation and guided imagery, affirmations, personal coaching and other holistic techniques that promote personal awareness, healing and positive growth. BUFFY BERNHARDT, LMSW Director of Nyack Center for Counseling and Coaching, is a HarvardFordham trained New York State licensed social worker: 25 years of advanced training and experience as a psychotherapist and coach. She has developed the "AWAKENED HEART SYSTEM" (based on how to heal, grow, empower yourself), incorporating numerous therapeutichealing modalities, including traditional and body-mind transformative techniques.

My approach is the product of over a decade of experience working collaboratively with clients in an environment of non-judgement. I believe in taking an introspective and collaborative approach when working with adults and adolescents. I believe this kind of treatment approach allows the patients to recognize their own ability to heal based on their own experiences and judgement. Every day we bear the burden of deep emotional wounds and pain that can often cause us to become disillusioned with ourselves, others and the world at large. Avoiding these struggles is a natural way of coping for most of us. But despite the temporary relief it brings, coping in this way often maintains unhealthy and irrational beliefs, negative feelings, and unproductive, or even destructive, behaviors. I believe that the therapeutic relationship is the healing factor and work to be authentic, transparent as well as professional. By providing a safe, supportive and compassionate environment, my clients can find the strength to explore and process their issues without judgement, being stigmatized or pathologized. Encouraging and empowering clients to turn towards and explore these areas of difficulty in their lives can lead to lasting change and new ways to relate to themselves, others and the world.

A decision to seek therapy is often made on the heels of a crisis. The crisis could be emotional, physical or chemical.Through an eclectic approach to healing I incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy which is at the forefront of today's therapeutic practices. additional modalities of therapy include trans personal therapy, which focuses on healing by going beyond the physical self. This was known as a Jungian approach where access to the higher consciousness becomes a portal for healing. In this approach we work together to integrate your own mind body spirit wisdom or higher self with person centered therapy to guide the healing process. I have been a clinician for over 30 years. In addition to traditional psychotherapy I may incorporate Spiritual Intuitive Counseling, Mediumship and various Energy Healing modalities. I am a certified hypnotherapist and Reiki Practitioner. I have been been certified in Past Life Regression hypnotherapy, by Dr. Brian Weiss, Psychiatrist and Author of the best selling book, Many Lives, Many Masters.

Taking the first step towards therapy is a courageous choice, and I'm here to support you on your journey to self-improvement. I specialize in helping adults navigate challenges like depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, relationship issues, and anger. Our goal when working together is to foster meaningful change that enhances your self-awareness and growth. Together, we'll work on emotional regulation and reducing distress, empowering you to become your best self. In our sessions, we'll develop personalized coping strategies tailored to your needs, focusing on mental health, boosting self-esteem, and unlocking your potential. With the insights and tools you gain, you'll be empowered to live your best life. My passion is seeing clients grow and heal through our therapeutic relationship. I strive to create a safe, nurturing, and judgment-free environment where we can explore your needs and support lasting change.

Holtz and Powell Marriage and Family Services LLC is a private and affordable fee for service therapy practice that specializes in problems in the family and couple. We work with children, adolescents, and adults of all ages, ethnicity, sexual orientations and religious backgrounds with no judgement and acceptance. We are an LGBT friendly practice. We are licensed in PA and DE Marriage and Family Therapy differs from traditional Individual Therapy in that all affected parties are included in therapy. Including all parties helps enhance the quality of relationships and create positive lasting changes in how individuals interact with one another. We do also work individually with clients from a relational perspective.