Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Manasquan, NJ covered by United Healthcare

See my website, or my "Psychology Today" page for further: DrNeo.US

I have been a psychotherapist over 34 years to individuals & couples. I address hurt, sadness, anger, anxiety & depression & the loss of emotional contact in your vital relationships. Painful loss can arise from traumatic shock, & from the non-traumatic experiences of growing up. I can help you identify your true needs, so that you can repair your connection with those you love. Healing is in the therapeutic relationship & the skills I can teach you that can enable you to live a freer life.

Hello reader!

I believe that my clients deserve to feel safe and heard as they navigate life. The social work field has taken me down many roads that include working with individuals, as well as children & families. Currently, I work with an array of clients ages teen to adults covering issues such as life transitions, substance abuse issues, managing a busy life and mental health issues that can come along such as anxiety and depression issues.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with a demonstrated history of working in the individual, family services, and addiction industries. Strong community and social services professional with a Master of Arts/Advanced Certification in Community Counseling from Montclair State University.

I have been Board certified Advanced Practice Nurse for 6 years. I have about 1 year experiencing specializing in generalized anxiety, major depression, bipolar disorder, and ADHD. I have 4 years of experience as a telemedicine provider. I became a PMHNP because I take pride in helping other achieve a sense of joy in finding peace in their reality and creating healthy coping strategies.

My journey of self-discovery has led me here and now. As most people do, we have hopes, dreams, and plans for our lives and aim for fulfillment. We do not always anticipate some of the obstacles that suddenly require a helping hand, a steppingstone, or a bridge. If you are currently experiencing any such challenge in your life, please reach out for help and support. I can provide counseling for individuals and the entire family. If you or your family is being impacted by addiction, relationship challenges, daily life stressors and disruptions and mental health concerns including depression and anxiety, your time might be now to receive some help.

I am skillful in helping families target the core issues that they are working through, whether driven by addiction or underlying mental health or dynamic factors. I employ strength based, cognitive behavioral techniques and a range of other modalities to achieve outlined goals. My role would be to listen, support, guide and to be transparent at all times.

Fear often holds us back from making a change or accepting help. Facing my fears has carved this amazing opportunity for me to help you. My years in the field has deepened my compassion for helping others of different cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. I am inspired by those I helped on their journey and would love to do the same for you.

I did not choose the profession of social work—the profession chose me.

My journey began while working in customer service at a local grocery store. Even then, I recognized that I had a natural connection with people. I found myself listening, encouraging, and helping individuals navigate difficult situations and connect with the social systems and resources they needed. Looking back, I can see that those experiences were preparing me for the work I would eventually be called to do.

My journey into social work was not simply a career choice; it was part of God's plan for my life. The Lord placed a promise in my heart that I would earn my master's degree at the age of 44. I held onto that promise even when the journey was challenging.

At the age of 44, I was awarded my Master of Social Work degree, fulfilling a promise I believed God had made to me.

Today, as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), I consider it an honor to walk alongside individuals as they navigate life's challenges, discover their strengths, and work toward meaningful growth and change.

My journey has taught me that sometimes the path we are on is greater than the path we originally planned—and what we believe is simply a career can become a calling.

I’m a Board-Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with nearly two decades of experience supporting individuals and families through behavioral health and substance use challenges. My approach is grounded in trauma‐informed care, cultural sensitivity, and meeting people exactly where they are. I believe healing happens when people feel seen, heard, and supported without judgment.

I completed my Master of Science in Nursing at Monmouth University and have worked across inpatient, outpatient, community, and addiction treatment settings. My background includes detox and MAT services, crisis stabilization, care coordination, and leading interdisciplinary teams. I also serve as a clinical instructor for BSN students, which keeps me connected to education, mentorship, and the next generation of nurses.

My main goal when working with clients is to create a safe space to express themselves. I specialize in working with people who have PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression. I also use a DBT approach with many clients. I work primarily within the LGBTQ population and I am also trained in Gottman Couples Therapy.

I am curious and validating, providing a nurturing environment to talk openly and honestly about your struggles, strengths, weaknesses, needs, likes, and dislikes. I love helping people explore their unique and particular powers as well as how these powers impact their world and their relationships. As a passionate supporter of those who have been through unjust or otherwise traumatic experiences--including those experiencing discrimination based upon race or gender identity or sexual orientation--I am particularly interested in helping people gain skills for dealing with, and making sense of, the remnants of their pasts.

Having completed Bessel Van der Kolk's Trauma Research Foundation's Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies in early 2025, I have a strong foundational understanding of the most cutting edge approaches to treating trauma. I am also comfortable using a combination of approaches, including Psychodynamic, Gestalt, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I received an MSW from the University of Pennsylvania, a psychodynamically focused program, after which I completed Bryn Mawr's certificate program in psychodynamic psychotherapy. I have also completed 1 year of Gestalt Therapy training and the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Immersion Program.

As an LCSW, my training emphasized the role of social environment--from the family to society at large--in how we construct our narratives, enabling me to help you make sense of what in your life is yours to own and what is a product of your environment.

I’m Dr. Obianuju C. N. Ogbonnia-Okoye, DNP, PMHNP-BC, APN, MSN, MBA, founder of BeYou Psychiatry Associates LLC. I provide compassionate, high-quality mental health care for children, teens, adults, and families through personalized telehealth services designed around your unique needs. I support clients facing anxiety, depression, stress, mood changes, and life transitions while creating a space where you can feel comfortable being yourself. My approach is warm, collaborative, and focused on helping you set meaningful goals, feel heard, and build lasting emotional wellness with care that fits your life and supports positive outcomes, with kindness at each step.