My approach in therapy is collaborative, supportive, and goal oriented.

Hi, I’m Sherly — a licensed marriage and family therapist and life coach with a deep heart for helping midlife women find emotional balance, clarity, and confidence during one of the most misunderstood seasons of life: perimenopause and menopause. If you’re feeling like your emotions are all over the place, your relationships are under strain, or you don’t quite recognize yourself lately, you're not alone, and you're not broken. I offer short-term, solution-focused individual therapy sessions centered on practical solutions you can use right away. This type of therapy is ideal for people who want to address current challenges and are ready to make practical changes relatively quickly. These telehealth appointments don’t require a long-term commitment or digging into your past; instead, we’ll work together to set clear goals and find real steps forward, all from the comfort of your own home.

Do you feel hurt or frustrated in your relationships? Or do you feel alone and that it is difficult to connect? Do you feel stuck in the past? Or have you experienced a recent trauma or loss? Do you worry about everyday events or feel insecure about your future? Do you cope with painful feelings in ways that are self-defeating? If you feel held back from the life you want and deserve, I would like to help you. My therapeutic style is interactive, collaborative, and non-judgmental. I am genuinely empathic and curious, and I want to discuss your life experiences, emotional reactions, and perceptions with you. Together, we will better understand how your past affects the way you view yourself and the world, the choices you make, your patterns of relating to others, and explore new options to reduce your suffering and improve your life. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with advanced training and over 25 years experience providing effective psychotherapy to adults with a broad range of difficulties. I also have expertise working with survivors of childhood abuse, adult traumas, relationship problems, depression and anxiety, pregnancy loss and infertility, and life transitions including young adults leaving home, marriage, becoming a parent, separation and divorce, changing careers, retirement, and the loss of a loved one. It is not often an easy decision to start therapy or seek out a new therapist, but if you contact me, we can talk about any concerns or questions you have about the process.

You are worthy of healing, even when your inner-critic says otherwise. If you are experiencing anxiety, you know that it is much more complex than excessive worrying. Often negative self-talk, guilt, self-doubt, and fear also run rampant, making it difficult to get through your day. On the outside, your loved ones or colleagues may think you have it together, but internally you are struggling. Trying to control everything around you - while at the same time feeling out of control leaves you exhausted and on edge. I help clients heal by reducing anxiety and restoring self-worth. When you work with me, we will uncover your strengths, process past wounds, and enhance your coping skills. I empower all clients’ growth by using a culturally-affirming, strengths-based approach. Modalities include CBT, DBT, and Psychodynamic Therapy. With me, you will get an inclusive space to grow, heal, and practice self-compassion. You don’t have to deal with anxiety on your own. I’m here to help.

I have been working with individuals and couples for over 25 years in a private practice setting based in New York City and New Jersey. It is my hope and intent to foster a working therapeutic environment in which people can feel free to express themselves in ways that will open up new ways of thinking, being and relating. .The most rewarding, yet, challenging aspect to living is being in relationship with ourselves and with another. How to navigate and sustain feelings of connectedness while maintaining a sense of authenticity is part of what I find people to be struggling with, especially in our culture of high demand and expectation. My experience in working with trauma, addictive disorders, abuse issues, life-transitions, as well as general anxiety and depression, has led me to believe that people are seeking ways towards achieving some sense of worth, meaning and well being. Over time, we will find ways together to speak to those parts of the self that have been in need of attention and support, making room for new experiences to emerge.

I believe that psychotherapy must respect the wisdom of mind and body, be tailored to your unique history and individual needs and be conducted in an atmosphere of absolute care and respect. I place great value on creating a relationship with you that makes it safe to explore any issue, and express any feeling, trusting that it will be met by understanding, not judgment. I believe that the notion of "radical acceptance" so well articulated by Tara Brach in her book of the same name, is key for emotional healing and a successful psychotherapy process; that, from a place of self knowledge and self acceptance, you can move beyond issues that are a legacy from the past, find peace of mind in the present, and look forward to the future with increasing optimism and hope.

I am a psychoanalyst, graduate of the Training and Research Institute of Self Psychology, an EMDR practitioner, and a sandplay therapist trained through the Sandplay Therapists of America, which has a Jungian foundation. My experience with children and families as a consultant for high schools, elementary schools, preschools and clinics has shaped my ability to work intuitively and spontaneously in a wide variety of circumstances. My experience as a professional artist and my meditation practice also greatly inform my work. My partner, William Murray, PhD, and I have formed Keene Murray Therapy and have an office across from Prospect Park in Brooklyn. We also work long distance on the phone and Skype. Besides our individual work, we offer workshops, CDs and dual-therapist couples therapy. Our work at Keene Murray Therapy is: Creative shaped both by an immersion in a variety of psychological approaches and an extensive background in creative arts. Respectful We recognize that our clients are the only ones who can truly tell their story. Our function is to help clients identify and achieve their goals. Non-pathologizing We believe that most problems are simply former solutions that no longer work. We help clients discover more adaptive means to meet life's challenges. Collaborative We value the interpersonal quality of a therapeutic relationship that acknowledges the effects and influences that both client and therapist contribute. Depth-oriented Experience has shown us that significant change has its roots in the multi-layered interconnectedness of a person's inner life. We accompany clients as they explore and learn to navigate this strange and exciting territory.

Blueprint Mental Health is a leading outpatient therapy practice in Somerville, NJ, providing compassionate and evidence-based care for children, teens, young adults, adults, couples, and families. Our licensed clinicians specialize in treating anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsion (OCD), trauma, attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD), and relationship challenges. We offer individual therapy, couples counseling, family therapy, group therapy, and parent coaching — both in-person and via Telehealth for clients across New Jersey. Using approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and family systems therapy, we create a warm, supportive space that doesn’t feel clinical, where clients feel seen and understood. Whether you’re searching for a child therapist, teen counseling, adult therapy, family counseling, or couples therapy in NJ, our team is here to guide you toward healing and growth.

My approach is grounded in creating a warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel safe to explore their experiences. I draw from evidence-based practices to help individuals build insight, develop coping strategies, and foster meaningful change aligned with their values and goals.

UPDATE 11-4-25: Accepting new clients! Please message me to set up a consultation. Living with chronic illness, loving someone who does, or navigating the aftermath of medical trauma can leave you feeling isolated, misunderstood, and disconnected from your body. I know this not just as a therapist—but as someone who has lived it. Born with a congenital heart condition, I’ve endured extensive testing, open-heart surgery, and the emotional toll that comes with it. I understand the fear of a body that feels unfamiliar, the exhaustion of self-advocacy, and the grief of adjusting to a life you didn’t plan for. Over the past decade, I’ve helped individuals from all walks of life rewrite old narratives, heal emotional wounds, and reclaim their worth. No matter what life has thrown at you, I offer a safe, nonjudgmental space where all parts of you are welcome. If you’re ready to walk your path with greater peace, I would be honored to walk beside you. It’s why I’m passionate about supporting others on similar paths—those living with chronic pain, health anxiety, autoimmune conditions, or the emotional impact of medical trauma and caregiving. You are not alone in this. Your story, your questions, and your healing deserve space and compassion. Together, we’ll gently process what you’ve carried, explore unresolved grief, and reconnect with your strength and inner wisdom. In a grounded, sacred space, we’ll nurture peace, clarity, and hope—even in the unknown. You deserve to be supported by someone who truly understands.

I work with adults and young adults that desire change in their lives. My areas of expertise include anxiety, depression, perfectionism, stress and life transitions. I specialize in helping my clients develop the tools needed to manage difficult emotions and create a healthier way of thinking. In my virtual practice I prominently use Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) as my treatment approach. I help you develop coping skills to manage emotions that are interfering with your day-to-day life. We simultaneously explore your underlying thoughts to create an understanding of why these emotions exist and how they can be overcome.

Have you found yourself stuck in a cycle of anxiety, overthinking, or feeling down? It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but change is possible, and you don’t have to do it alone. I believe in the power of collaboration and tailoring therapy to meet your unique needs and goals. Together, we’ll explore the best therapeutic approach for you—whether it’s exposure and response prevention (ERP), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), trauma-focused therapy, or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—to help you reclaim your life and your happiness. I specialize in treating OCD, anxiety-related conditions, trauma, and mood conditions. Beyond these areas, I also have extensive experience helping people work through relationship challenges, chronic pain, and insomnia. My approach is individualized because no two lives or goals are the same. Taking that first step toward change can feel daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone. I strive to make therapy a space where you feel supported and understood. With compassion, humor, and authenticity, I aim to guide you toward meaningful, lasting changes. I’m licensed in New York and New Jersey and I’m authorized to provide Telehealth in 41 states through PSYPACT. If you’re ready to take the first step, I’d be happy to discuss your questions in a consultation and help you get started on your path to a better life.