Therapist and Psychologist in Bergen County NJ
Welcome to Beautiful Journey Counseling®!
We all go through times in our lives where we need some extra support. At Beautiful Journey Counseling®, we are honored to assist you with this important step.
Leaning on friends and family is often the first help that we seek, but partnering with a trained, impartial therapist is both empowering and comforting. As members of the mental health community, our clinicians feel strongly that shame should never be part of this equation.
We honor confidentiality and individuality while working hard to provide each and every client the level of support that they need. Our goal is to provide compassion, motivation, and support throughout the therapy process.
Our office is a warm and inviting space. A comfortable and serene waiting room sets the tone for productive and collaborative sessions in our clinicians’ private offices. We want therapy to be something that our clients look forward to each week! We love the work that we do and believe that this positivity is imparted onto others.
Our team of therapists and psychologists in Bergen County NJ is ready to help
Owner/Educational Psychologist
Clinical Director, Licensed Professional Counselor and Clinical Supervisor
Dawn Fuller, M.Ed., LPC, ACS, PMH-C
Approved Clinical Supervisor
Licensed Professional Counselor
Perinatal Mental Health Counselor
Clinical Director of Supervision & Operations
Reproductive Counseling Center
Licensed Associate Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor
Clinical Supervisor
Director of Training and Operations
Play Therapy Program Director
Deborah Flam, M.A., LPC, PMH-C
Clinical Director of Professional Development and Community Outreach
Beautiful Journey Reproductive Counseling Center
Licensed Associate Counselor
Licensed Associate Counselor
Licensed Social Worker
Licensed Associate Counselor
Licensed Associate Counselor
Licensed Associate Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor & Perinatal Mental Health Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Associate Counselor
Licensed Associate Counselor
Licensed Social Worker
Licensed Social Worker
Licensed Social Worker
Licensed Associate Counselor
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Licensed Social Worker
Licensed Associate Counselor
Licensed Social Worker
Licensed Associate Counselor
See a therapist or psychologist in Bergen County NJ today
ANXIETY
DEPRESSION
STRESS
COPING SKILLS
RELATIONSHIP ISSUES
Reproductive Mental Health
ADOLESCENT GIRLS / SELF-ESTEEM/BODY IMAGE
PARENTING
Common Questions About Starting Therapy
Who can benefit from therapy?
Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to have a debilitating disorder to see a therapist in Bergen County, NJ. Life can be undoubtedly challenging, and everyone experiences struggles and stressors that are difficult to deal with on their own. While a Bergen County therapist can certainly treat diagnosed conditions, they also provide support, strategies, and tools to individuals merely seeking guidance.
More and more people are realizing the benefits of talk therapy outside of severe cases or crises. Seeing a therapist in Bergen County can help you work through psychological distress, explore your inner thoughts, and empower you to become the person you strive to be. In addition, many successful individuals often use it as a powerful tool for introspection on the way to achieving their goals.
At its core, the therapeutic process is all about developing and growing as an individual. Truthfully, everyone can benefit from engaging in Bergen County therapy. Our intention at Beautiful Journey Counseling® is to provide you with compassionate and unyielding support during your mental health journey.
How do you know when you need to see a therapist?
There are many reasons why you may want to see a therapist in Bergen County, but there is no defining line that designates a pertinent time to seek help. Therapy is a voluntary process that requires individual attention and effort, and if you feel forced into it, your results will likely be limited.
That said, seeing a Bergen County therapist can be immensely beneficial if you are experiencing emotional distress that interferes with any aspect of your life. For instance, it can be a particularly good idea to seek therapy if you are struggling to regulate your emotions, perform routine activities, or function daily.
Typical emotions or symptoms that bring people to Bergen County therapy include:
- Persistent anxiety or fear
- Apathy or hopelessness
- Excess anger or rage
- Feeling lost or overwhelmed
- Lack of energy or fatigue
- Uncertainty or confusion
There is nothing too dire or insignificant to address during therapy. The clinicians at Beautiful Journey Counseling® are dedicated to providing you with individualized care tailored to your needs and desires. If you are feeling overwhelmed, lost, or dissatisfied, chances are a therapist in Bergen County, NJ, can help you.
What issues can a therapist help with?
You can begin therapy with an initial goal or goals in mind, or you can explore any aspects of your life that you feel could use improvement with guidance from your therapist. There is no shortage of problems that a Bergen County therapist can help you with.
Typical therapy issues include:
- Anxiety and stress
- Depression
- Relational problems
- Trouble with communication
- Past trauma
- Life transitions
We treat each unique case with attention and care, tailoring your treatment to fit your specific needs. As each person is different, the strategies and modalities we use may change depending on what is most helpful to you. For cases requiring medications or external expertise, we will make sure to put you in touch with a qualified and trustworthy medical professional that can work in tandem with psychotherapies.
How common is mental illness?
Mental illness is far more common than many people realize. At any given time, roughly 20–25 percent of people experience psychological distress severe enough to affect their ability to function at work, school, home, or in their relationships. In the United States, more than 50 percent of people are diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder in their lifetime.
To put that into recency perspective, 2019 saw 19.86 percent of American adults experiencing some kind of mental illness—the equivalent of around 50 million people. Moreover, one national study found that more than 80 percent of people developed a diagnosable mental illness at some point in their life when tracking mental health over time and using evidence-based tools for screening.
Despite how common mental illness evidently is, only around 50 percent of people receive the professional support they need. Acknowledging the reality that mental illness is widespread and affects a significant portion of the population and moving away from seeing it as a taboo subject is a vital step to providing essential and accessible treatment services.
Most importantly, as your Bergen County therapists, we are here to validate your struggles and help you to realize that you are not alone. There are many people who share your experiences and who have gone through what you are going through. Accordingly, we offer group therapy in addition to individual therapy, where participants can garner community support.
What are the benefits of seeing a therapist?
What you get out of therapy often depends on the effort you put into it. A therapist in Bergen County, NJ, can provide you with innovative tools and strategies that help you overcome intimidating roadblocks and mental barriers. They will also teach you how to take what you learn and apply it to everyday situations on your own.
Some of the benefits of Bergen County therapy include increased:
- Introspection
- Self-awareness
- Confidence
- Stability
- Clarity and understanding
- Goal-oriented planning
Therapy not only improves your mental state but can also boost your physical health. For instance, many people report having more energy, eating better, and getting higher quality sleep after therapy. Of course, improved physical health also further benefits your mental state.
Successful therapy imparts life skills and engenders long-term benefits. The benefits of therapy stay with you even after you finish treatment and face life’s challenges on your own. A therapist in Bergen County can also help you plan for and work toward your individualized goals, such as working up the confidence to apply for a new job or reducing substance use.
If you have an idea of what you would like to achieve with therapy, do not hesitate to inform your Bergen County therapist. They can help you identify the appropriate path to take as well as what tools may be useful to you.
Does therapy really help?
Seeing a Bergen County therapist is undoubtedly a significant time commitment. Moreover, working through challenging issues can be mentally draining and bring up sensitive emotions. So naturally, you probably want to know if the whole process is effective before commencing your journey.
The good news is that your efforts will not be in vain. There is an overwhelming amount of scientific evidence that therapy really does make a difference. Even people suffering from chronic disorders can improve their lives by seeing a therapist in Bergen County, NJ. For example, over 80 percent of people with schizophrenia can avoid relapses altogether, and up to 60 percent of people with depression can experience a full recovery, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Moreover, the benefits of therapy endure the test of time. A John Hopkins study found that just six to ten talk therapy sessions reduced suicide risk by 26 percent five years after patients completed counseling. Though therapy takes dedicated time and effort, it is absolutely worth it when you are able to enact real and positive change in your life.
Can I go to therapy if nothing is wrong?
Fortunately, there is no rulebook that states you must have a grand problem to engage in therapy. Therefore, anyone in need of support, guidance, or someone to talk to can benefit from seeing a therapist in Bergen County. Sometimes all you really need is an opportunity to set aside an allotted time wholly dedicated to focusing on you and your needs.
As your Bergen County therapist, the counselors at Beautiful Journey Counseling® will never judge you or your problems. What matters to us is providing you with a secure space where you feel comfortable sharing openly and exploring your thinking and behavior without judgment.
Nothing needs to be wrong with you for you to see a therapist—far from it. To struggle and experience loss is part of being human, and we all could use a supportive guide to navigate life transitions. You do not need to feel any shame, especially regarding the severity of your situation.
Should I see a psychologist or a therapist?
Though they fulfill a similar purpose, there are slight differences between psychologists and therapists. Both undergo some level of higher education; however, psychologists often obtain doctorates or specialized certificates. Psychologists and therapists alike are able to provide informed guidance and support.
An important distinction to be aware of is the practical differences between psychologists and psychiatrists. Primarily, psychiatrists are medical doctors that handle severe mental health disorders and prescribe appropriate medication. Psychologists in Bergen County, NJ, draw from their academic background and pertinent medical research to engage in psychotherapies without prescribing medication.
The team at Beautiful Journey Counseling® is comprised of highly proficient professionals who specialize in various aspects of mental health. In addition to a psychologist or therapist in Bergen County, you have the option of seeing a counselor who can help you develop a plan for solving specific issues, such as career or marriage counseling.
What type of clinicians can I see at Beautiful Journey Counseling®?
At Beautiful Journey Counseling®, we offer comprehensive and individualized mental health services. Our team consists of therapists, counselors, and psychologists in Bergen County who specialize in various fields to provide support to people experiencing unique challenges. All of our clinicians are highly educated and experienced, providing a range of expertise in every niche.
Our services cover adult individuals, couples, children, and adolescents. We also offer group therapy in a structured and safe setting. No matter what option you decide to go with, know that you are in the capable hands of people who genuinely care about your well-being. We are happy to accommodate your needs, whether you need a therapist or psychologist in Bergen County, NJ.
How do I choose a therapist or psychologist?
One of the most significant contributing factors to a therapy success story is finding a psychologist in Bergen County who you can connect with and feel comfortable around. The therapy process can be intense and emotional at times, and you will likely need to allow for vulnerability. Accordingly, it is absolutely vital that you are able to build rapport and trust.
At Beautiful Journey Counseling®, we understand just how important it is to feel safe and secure. As a group practice, we offer a variety of specialties, modalities, and therapeutic approaches for you to match with. With a free consultation, we can pair you with the therapist or psychologist in Bergen County, NJ, who is best suited to fulfilling your needs and providing valuable knowledge.
What questions will a psychologist ask me?
Most people are understandably nervous for their first therapy session. After all, unless you have met with a psychologist in Bergen County before, you probably do not know what to expect. The important thing to know prior to meeting is that there are no expectations regarding you or your issues.
Intake questions simply serve the purpose of painting a complete picture of your situation so that your psychologist can pinpoint the best way to assist and guide you.
Example questions might include:
- What would you like to achieve with therapy?
- From your perspective, what is the most significant problem in your life?
- Have you seen a mental health professional before?
- What kinds of positive change would you like to enact?
- What makes you feel better about the situation you are in?
By answering honestly, you can help ensure that your treatment meets your needs and goals. The more information your therapist or psychologist in Bergen County, NJ, has, the better they can come up with informed and effective solutions.