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

I have a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology with a specialty in Marriage and Family Therapy EdS, as well as a PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy from Seton Hall University.

How do we make sense of our stuff? This is a critical question. Life can be challenging and sometimes we can’t understand what we are experiencing and why. Much of our ability to overcome adversity originates from our mindset- how we process our experiences. It is the lens through which we view our reality.

Essentially, what contributes to our overall well-being is not necessarily the absence of setbacks but rather how we respond to these experiences. Our ability to accept our challenges, to make meaning out of them, to understand how they serve us, is necessary for our personal growth. I work with my clients to help them shift their mindset and to find meaning in all of life’s experiences.

I have been a been a practicing Social Worker for twenty years. I hold a Ph.D. in Social Work and am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I take a person-centered approach to therapeutic work and integrate a variety of intervention modalities into my practice. I specialize in Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Multisystemic Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Structural Family Therapy. I also have extensive experience with Trauma Informed Care as well as grief and bereavement work. I partner with my clients to determine which approach might be most meaningful to them.

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.

Choosing a therapist is an important step, and I strive to create a space where you feel genuinely heard, supported, and understood. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I provide a warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental environment where we can work together to help you move toward the life you want to live.

My approach is person-centered, strengths-based, and culturally responsive. I recognize that every individual's experiences are shaped by their unique cultural, ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic background, and I tailor therapy to honor those experiences while meeting your specific needs. I integrate evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). As a Certified EMDR Therapist, I help clients process and heal from trauma, distressing life experiences, anxiety, and other challenges that may be keeping them feeling stuck.

I believe that you already possess many of the strengths needed to navigate life's challenges. My role is to help you identify those strengths, develop practical coping strategies, and build on the resources available through your support system, community, and mindfulness practices. Together, we will work toward meaningful, lasting change that aligns with your values and goals.

Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship concerns, life transitions, stress, self-esteem, or simply feeling overwhelmed, therapy can provide a place to gain clarity, healing, and resilience. I am committed to creating a safe, empowering, and compassionate therapeutic relationship where you can openly explore your thoughts and emotions without fear of judgment.

My practice focuses on psychopharmacology. With over thirty years experience in diagnosing and treating patients with medication to address various psychiatric conditions .

Past psychiatric training involved inpatient, outpatient and Partial Hospital Programs involving diagnosing and medically managing psychiatric issues.

I believe the therapeutic relationship is the cornerstone of healing and growth and am dedicated to creating a collaborative and empathetic environment. I have been a licensed NJ therapist for 3 years, working with individuals of various ages, cultures, and points of view. I especially enjoy working with those in transitional periods of life - preteen and adolescents, young adults/college students, and adults navigating a new role or challenge for the first time.

Justin Salandanan has been in the field of psychiatry for over a decade and has been treating adult clients of various ethnic backgrounds for several years. Justin specializes in the medication management of depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.