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I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who earned both my BASW and MSW from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, where I received comprehensive training grounded in evidence-based practice, cultural humility, and ethical clinical care. Throughout my academic and professional journey, I have developed a strong foundation in assessing, diagnosing, and treating a wide range of behavioral and mental health concerns.

My areas of expertise include, but are not limited to, working with individuals experiencing anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), and trauma-related symptoms. I have extensive experience supporting clients with complex emotional and behavioral needs, helping them develop practical coping strategies, build emotional resilience, and navigate difficult life experiences.

Although a significant portion of my clinical work has focused on providing individual therapy to children, adolescents, and adults, I also have substantial experience facilitating therapeutic work with families and couples. In these settings, I emphasize communication, emotional safety, and collaborative problem-solving to strengthen relational dynamics and promote healthier patterns of interaction.

Across all treatment modalities, I am committed to creating a supportive, nonjudgmental, and culturally responsive environment that honors each client's unique background, strengths, and therapeutic goals.

I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor based in New Jersey, with experience beginning in 2021. I earned my Master of Social Work from Rutgers University where I built a strong foundation in working with adults navigating complex emotional and behavioral health challenges. Over the years, I've worked with people dealing with anxiety, depression, coping with aging, life transitions, bipolar disorder, substance use, trauma, LGBTQIA+ identity, and the weight that comes from carrying too much for too long. I work with adults and seniors, and I understand what it feels like to want change but not quite know where to start. My goal is to help you figure that out, one step at a time.

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 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.

I’m Esther —a licensed therapist with over 10 years of clinical experience. I specialize in supporting teenagers and young adults as they navigate major life transitions, especially the shift from student to professional. My background includes extensive work in school-based and community mental health settings, where I’ve helped clients manage stress, anxiety, depression, and low motivation. I’m particularly passionate about helping people develop practical tools for mindfulness, organization, productivity, and self-care to improve their overall life.

Dorothy Rose Forgione is a highly experienced, dually licensed therapist with over 20 years in private practice and more than 30 years of clinical experience. She has worked across a wide range of settings, including Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), parole groups, and co-occurring disorder groups.

Dorothy has extensive experience treating a broad spectrum of mental health conditions, including Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Schizotypal and Schizoid Personality Disorders, Antisocial Personality Disorder, depression, PTSD, and all phases of addiction. She is also a co-occurring disorders specialist and advanced hypnotherapist. Her work spans individuals and couples, with a strong track record of successful outcomes.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers University. I specialize in working with adults experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and major life transitions. My clinical approach is trauma-informed and strengths-based, integrating evidence-based therapies tailored to each client’s individual needs. I am passionate about helping clients develop greater self-understanding, resilience, and meaningful change.