Jay is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), working across the field of mental health for 12 years. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Rutgers Newark and Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Bradley University. He has worked in-home services, acute inpatient hospitalization, and outpatient program, providing services to populations including kids, adolescents, young adults, families, and older adults, covering a wide variety of presentations and diagnoses.
Throughout Jay’s path in mental health, he has assumed roles that include support worker and case manager, group counselor, therapist, verbal de-escalation instructor, and social advocate. Through the work developed in the acute inpatient program, Jay has been able to develop de-escalation techniques and training to establish behavior modification and redirection. He utilizes this training often with families who may struggle with neurocognitive disorders such as ADHD and Spectrum disorders, as well as Oppositional Defiance and mood disorders.
In practice, Jay embodies an eclectic and systems approach that encourages a strong development of rapport and trust with the needs of each person. Typically, this incorporates modalities and strategies conceptualized from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness Based Stress/Reduction, Trauma Focused CBT, Person-Centered Therapy, Play Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and others. Jay enjoys the ability to work with a vast range of individuals, starting with children as young as 6 years old, to adults entering the later stages of adulthood. He often works with individuals and families who experience traumatic events, anxiety and social withdrawal, depression, adjustment disorders, and transition of life, specializing in ADHD, neurocognitive education, spectrum disorders, and mood/emotional regulation. Focus of therapy is to create a safe, nurturing environment that promotes a nonjudgmental atmosphere and connection with the mind and body. Jay facilitates empowerment of his clients’ strengths and acceptance of past experiences to enhance wellness and relationships in their life.
Personally, Jay spends time outside of work with friends and family, specifically his wife and son. He enjoys a wide variety of activities and hobbies that include traveling, food tasting, sports, game nights, cooking, reading, writing, and taking in nature.
My take on the therapeutic journey is that you are in the driver seat of this process, and I am the passenger co-pilot that provides direction and outlets to explore openly and in a nonjudgemental manner. Life is about the journey, the climb, and the process, not just the destination.