Laura Stemmler, Bi-lingual Counselor, MSW, LCSW
Laura Stemmler is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who earned her Masters in Social Work from New York University. She has been in practice for over 10 years treating adolescents and adults whose challenges range from anxiety and depression to complex trauma, loss and grief.
In her last position as the bilingual counselor at the Somerset County Rape Crisis Center she worked with young adults, women and men both in groups and individually to begin the painful journey from victimhood to survivor. Working with persons in various degrees of awareness, Laura has the needed experience to begin where the client is. This is essential the therapeutic process. All trauma victims, be it domestic violence, sexual abuse, neglect, multiple losses and the like require accessing the client strengths and resilience to map out the path to healing unique to that person. Guided meditation, strength perspective, CBT and art therapy are various techniques utilized to meet those goals.
Prior to her focus in complex trauma, Laura worked in the Morristown Memorial Emergency room accessing persons in various states of crisis for treatment. Additional experience also came from 2 years at the Union Settlement Mental Health Clinic in East Harlem where environmental factors and trauma were mutually challenging.
Working with various modalities Laura seeks to address the emotional residue of the past and fears and/or anxieties of the future. Regardless of one’s station in life, it is remarkably challenging to release shame and guilt, process grief, and move away from anxiety and/or depression. By gently approaching the many emotions that have brought one to seek help now, Laura encourages clients work towards feelings of empowerment, relief and hope.
Irene Lebbad, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
“As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in begin able to remake the world….as in being able to remake ourselves” Mahatma Gandhi
In an ever-changing chaotic world, now may be the time to reconnect to your authentic self and reset your internal balance.
Balance emerges through the dynamic interplay of inner and outer forces in each of us. Subtle shifts in our intentions can create amazing changes in our quality of life. As we each strive for internal balance, the spirit of harmony and wholeness can be awakened within us and we are renewed. Processing and transforming negative emotions into positive ones in a safe and validating environment can move us toward a happier and fulfilling inner life. The courage to step out and meet what we fear, and learn from it in order to transform and heal ourselves, is the true balancing.
It is through one’s experiences, life lessons, and breakthroughs that self discovery, optimism, and hope emerge. Our transformation comes from looking deeply within. Making the changes necessary to improve the quality of your life requires the capacity to self-observe. This self-observation comes in the form of a commitment to continuous learning about your inner self and the awareness of its wants and needs.
Together we can explore what steps to take toward living in greater harmony and inner balance. In our collaborative journey together, I am a change-agent that will help you to gain and utilize the insight that fosters internal growth. This growth will in turn allow you to seek your own highest truth through the knowledge and empowerment gained in the therapeutic process.
According to a client’s needs, the therapeutic models I utilize may include psycho-dynamic therapy that fosters internal insight and balance, cognitive-behavioral modalities that work towards understanding and modifying unhealthy core beliefs, thoughts, and behaviors, and solution-focused therapy that stresses the resources and skills clients already possess in order to find solutions to problems.
I also employ complementary therapy models such as art, creative writing, and dream journaling to further explore the internal process of the “self”.
Each modality is “strengths-based” and can foster a self-discovery that leads to personal empowerment.
INSURANCES TAKEN: Cigna, Aetna, Medicare, Value Options, EAP programs.
CLIENT BASE: Adolescents age 16 and over, Adults, Seniors, Couples, Families
Please call 908-963-7645 or email me at Irene.lebbad@gmail.com to schedule an appointment.
Sonia Rodrigues-Marto, Bilingual Therapist, MA, LPC, NCC, ACS
Sonia Rodrigues-Marto is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS). She is co-owner of the Center for Intrapersonal Wellness, LLC as well as the Program Director of School and Community Based Programs at Rutgers Health -University Behavioral Health Care which provide professional development and intensive mental health services to at-risk youth in a public, private and out of district school settings. She has also previously taught courses in psychology and in school counseling at Monmouth University and Middlesex County College. Sonia received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The College of New Jersey, a Masters and Post-Master’s degree in Psychological Counseling from Monmouth University, a Masters degree in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and is currently working on her PhD in clinical psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology from Fielding Graduate University. She has presented on a variety of workshops for parents and for teens on topics related to stress and anxiety, suicide assessment and non-suicidal self-injury as well as a presentation on sexual violence and the media at the Annual Conference for the New Jersey Counseling Association. Her clinical and research interests are within the areas of acculturation among Latino populations, multicultural factors in counseling, suicide and at-risk assessments, sexual abuse, trauma and factors related to resiliency.
Mariel, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Mariel is a mindfulness-oriented psychotherapist who has in-depth experience in treating anxiety-based struggles such as chronic worry, impaired self-esteem, and codependency. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from innovative Bard College, where she wrote her undergraduate dissertation on the effectiveness of mindfulness (Vipassana) based treatments for chronic depression and anxiety. Prior to earning her Master’s in Social Work from Rutgers University, Mariel also received training from the Omega Institute in Vipassana Meditation and other Eastern-based wellness techniques. Mariel’s therapeutic interventions are customized to meet the particular clinical needs of each client. Through employing a range of therapeutic techniques (such as mindfulness-based stress reduction, cognitive behavioral therapy, and EMDR), Mariel’s goal is to help her provide an atmosphere for deep healing and resolution. In session, she strives to be active and direct, but is also gentle, and receptive to the insights of her clients. Her hope is that through working together, her clients will develop an internal haven of wisdom and peace, that will provide grounding and guidance to them throughout their daily lives.
Jen Leeder, Counselor, MA, LPC
My approach to therapy is to build upon the strengths you already have to help you lead a more fulfilled, balanced life. The ‘seeds’ of growth are already there and I can help direct your focus to the skills that will bring you more satisfaction in your life and relationships. Working together, you can expect to learn how to accept and cope with your feelings, as well as understand how your thinking effects how you feel and the choices you make. I work with children, adolescents, and adults, as well as families. In general, my treatment approaches are cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness and acceptance therapy, but I do pull from other approaches to help provide the most effective treatment for you. Feel free to contact me with any questions you might have.
Leo Hudzik, Counselor, MA, EdS, LPC
I counsel angry ‘tweens, troubled teens, and the families who love them. Kids make mistakes – it’s how they learn. If your child or adolescent repeats mistakes, without learning from them, counseling can help.
I offer professional treatment to children and adolescents, ages 10 and up, for anger, defiance, poor school performance, substance abuse, high-risk behavior, sexual misconduct and self-harm. I also treat issues for traditional and non-traditional families, including parent-child conflict, divorce, step-parenting and blended families, trauma, and grief.
I will collaborate with your physician to behaviorally treat depression, anxiety, and dual diagnosis with addiction. I also coordinate with school counselors, study teams and juvenile authorities as needed.