Grief counselors and therapists in Newark, NJ

Megan is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified School Counselor in the state of New Jersey, having experience if both clinical and school based settings. Megan received her bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice from Salve Regina University and her master’s degree in School Counseling from Montclair State University. She is experienced working with children, adolescents, and adults, with a particular focus on issues relating to grief and that the LGBTQ+ community.

Hi, I’m Julia, and I’m passionate about helping people find strength, clarity, and balance in their lives. I’ve been working in the field for over twenty years, with experience supporting children, adolescents, adults, seniors, and parents through life’s many transitions. I’m a graduate of Columbia University, where I focused on working with children and families. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside clients from many different backgrounds as they work through both everyday stress and life’s biggest challenges.

I believe the structure of the therapeutic relationship can help people access their inner strengths and promote meaningful change. Therapy gives us space to pause, reflect, and make sense of how the different parts of our lives — our relationships, health, identity, and environment — impact our well-being. Together, we’ll sort through challenges, set realistic goals, and develop strategies that help you feel more grounded and empowered.

My path to psychotherapy is anything but conventional. I began my career as a scientist and then a high school science teacher, where a deep curiosity about the world took root. But it was the human connection, the conversations, the stories, that truly lit me up. That led me to Columbia University, where I earned my Master's in Social Work and gained invaluable clinical experience at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. After graduation, I worked in hospice care, walking alongside families through some of life's most profound and challenging moments, an experience that gave me a deep respect for human resilience and the power of being truly heard. After welcoming my three children, I took everything I had learned and channelled it into opening my own private practice. Today, that is where my heart lives. I am endlessly inspired by the people I get to meet, the life stories they share, and the privilege of watching them grow. Whatever has brought you here, I would love to hear your story too.

Whether you are in a place of uncertainty and desperation or hoping to reach your utmost potential, I congratulate you for making this step in taking control of your life and facing your challenges. Every individual, whether you are a parent, student, professional, athlete or performer, endures pain or confusion at some point in life. As a professional support to you, I feel privileged to assist you, without judgement, in reclaiming a life of peace and control that you so rightly deserve.

My specialty is "trauma", which is a broad term. Any experience that leaves you feeling unsafe, confused, insecure or unloved can be traumatic. I work with sexual abuse, violent and workplace trauma, natural disasters, infidelity and all the anxieties that may come with trying to cope with these issues.

I use an eclectic approach because no one modality fits every person and every situation. I use psychotherapy techniques, cognitive behavior therapy, hypnosis and EMDR. I also continually attend conferences to stay current with the best and newest forms of treatments.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, PsA, I approach my practice with a person-centered and holistic perspective, guiding clients to identify and pursue solutions in every facet of their lives. My commitment is to create a space where individuals can explore their thoughts and emotions freely, fostering a collaborative journey towards growth and healing.

I specialize in adolescents, young adults, and adults. I help develop coping strategies using DBT and CBT skills that produce successful outcomes. As a teacher in the public school systems for over 25 years, I have worked with learning difficulties and social emotional issues caused by all the environmental stressors our generation has to manage.