Mati Sicherer, Ed.D., LAC
Licensed Associate Counselor
Tel: 201-304-7809
Email: drmatisicherer@beautifuljc.com
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ABOUT MATI
I am a licensed therapist, school counselor, teacher, and parent educator with over 25 years of experience in the mental health field. I hold a Master’s degree in Counseling and a Doctorate in special education. I specialize in working with children, teenagers, young adults and their families who may be experiencing struggles related to academics, learning disabilities, ADHD, executive function, anxiety, depression, behavioral issues and trauma. I have published articles in national magazines and peer reviewed journals about topics such as counseling, parenting, and bullying and I have published two books focused on counseling and learning disabilities.
I believe that my experiences give me a multi-faceted perspective of the struggles and challenges that many children and their families might face in their journeys towards healing. I am culturally inclusive and LGBTQ+ affirming and believe that every person deserves to be honored, heard, acknowledged, and respected. Although my expertise is in working with children and young adults, my practice extends to couples and individual adults as well.
APPROACH TO THERAPY
My work is based on a variety of approaches but always begins from a person-centered perspective. This perspective is based on the idea that a non-judgmental, genuine, and trusting relationship is essential to the therapeutic journey. It is the building of this relationship that will form the foundation of the work we will be doing. Once this foundation is established, we can draw together from the therapeutic “toolbox” I use in my practice which includes:
- Positive psychology – which helps to improve quality of life by shifting from a negative perspective to a more optimistic view.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy – which challenges inaccurate or negative thinking in order to deal with life events in a more effective way.
- Dialectical behavioral therapy – which is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that teaches people how to live mindfully, regulate emotions, manage stress, and improve their relationships with others.
- Gestalt therapy – which focuses on the moment and stresses the importance of taking responsibility for life events rather than placing blame on others.
My practice with children, young adults and couples encompasses the same therapeutic approaches but is done mostly within a systems-based framework. This type of framework holds the view that people cannot be fully understood in isolation. Rather, patterns of communication, relationships and behaviors within the family unit all work together in a family system to have a continuous impact on every member of the family. When a person living inside a family unit is brought to therapy, this framework allows us to see the effect each member of the family is having on one another and allows for an integrated approach to healing. Learning to recognize and understand everyone’s own role and impact in the system is an important step in learning new and more beneficial responses and behaviors and therapy in this milieu might include both traditional therapy as well as parenting education and training.
AWARDS
- New Jersey School Counselor Association – School Counselor of the Year
- New Jersey School Counselor Association – Humanitarian Award
EDUCATION
- EdD in Special Education
- MA in Counseling
LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS:
- Licensed Associate Counselor
- Certified School Counselor
- K-8 Certified Teacher