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Discover how starting dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
I offer a warm, nonjudgmental space where I draw on evidence-based, integrative approaches to help you feel truly seen, heal from ...
About
I offer a warm, nonjudgmental space where I draw on evidence-based, integrative approaches to help you feel truly seen, heal from life’s challenges, and move toward meaningful, lasting change.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with nearly nine years of experience providing outpatient therapy to children, adolescents, adults, and families. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, peer conflicts, trauma, relationship struggles, and life transitions who are seeking support, clarity, and practical tools to feel more grounded and confident. Many of the individuals and families I work with want to better understand themselves, improve their relationships, build effective coping strategies, and create meaningful, lasting change in their lives.
My approach is integrative and personalized, drawing from CBT, mindfulness, trauma-informed care, and solution-focused therapy—tailored to what works best for you. I help clients build practical coping tools, increase self-awareness, and heal from past experiences so they can feel more grounded, confident, and in control.
Together, we'll work at a pace that feels right for you toward meaningful, lasting change. Therapy with me is about more than symptom relief. It is about reclaiming your voice, reconnecting with your values, and building the life you want. My goal is to create a safe, welcoming, and nonjudgmental space where you can feel truly seen, heard, and empowered.
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As a therapist, I strive to empower individuals to make positive and sustainable changes in their lives, while providing a safe an...
As a therapist, I strive to empower individuals to make positive and sustainable changes in their lives, while providing a safe and non-judgmental space in which personal growth can occur.
Ilana Epstein is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of New Jersey with 9 years of experience working in the mental health field. Ilana aims to provide clients with a safe, non-judgmental environment, one that will offer clients the space they need to begin working towards their personal goals, while learning how to effectively manage and prioritize their mental and emotional well-being. Ilana has worked within a wide variety of treatment settings and has experience treating a diverse range of clinical needs, including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, LGBTQIA+ issues, and substance use disorders. Her practice style is upfront, honest, and compassionate, and she will work with you to determine the best therapeutic approach to effectively address your current concerns and treatment goals.
Ilana received her Master’s degree in Social Work from Rutgers University. Through her educational background and professional experience, she understands the many circumstances that contribute to making us unique — culturally, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. Ilana aims to guide clients through their unique mental health journey by providing them with the individualized support that they need to grow. Some of the therapeutic approaches she uses to navigate these areas include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), person-centered therapy (PCT), and motivational interviewing.
There are times when we all could benefit from extra support, when the challenges we are facing may feel daunting and insurmountable. Ilana strives to empower individuals, and to assist them in recognizing the abilities they have to create positive changes in their lives, while supporting them as they embark on their mental health journey. Ilana will be there to offer help and support along the way.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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Dialectical behavioral therapy involves providing psychoeducation about multiple topics to help clients feel more in control of their emotions, have balanced thoughts, and improve relationships with others in their lives.
Dialectical behavioral therapy involves learning about the following topics:
When clients report that they are feeling more in control of their emotions and thoughts, this is a good sign that they are making meaningful progress in their dialectical behavioral therapy!
Clients can supplement their time in dialectical behavioral therapy by practicing the skills discussed in sessions through the use of worksheets or journaling exercises provided to them by their therapist.
To prepare for your first dialectical behavioral therapy session, you can identify some of the main reasons that you want to come to therapy at this time. This can include a variety of reasons, but it would help the therapist to know what your motivation is for coming to therapy and what you'd like to see change. Also, keep in mind that your first session will likely involve being asked a lot of questions, but this is not the norm for every session! This is just for the therapist to get the background information that they need to help you move forward and make progress in therapy.
At Thriveworks, Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) primarily concentrates on assisting individuals in emotion regulation, enhancing interpersonal relationships, and acquiring effective coping strategies for managing stress and emotional difficulties.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) targets your personal challenges. You may work with your DBT therapist to maintain diary cards to monitor progress, emphasizing validation and support in the therapeutic relationship. DBT follows a stage-based approach, prioritizing crisis reduction initially and life satisfaction.
DBT was initially developed to address the needs of individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, its versatile approach has enabled its application to a wide range of mental health conditions, including but not limited to, anxiety, depression, stress, and anger issues.
The 4 pillars of DBT are mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) have distinct purposes and aren’t inherently superior or inferior to one another. DBT is most effective for managing emotional regulation, personality disorders, and interpersonal challenges, while EMDR is specifically tailored for individuals with trauma-related conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with therapists at Thriveworks in Paramus, NJ is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
The duration of a standard DBT program is typically around 24 weeks, which is roughly six months. The actual number of sessions will vary depending on the issues you wish to address.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Thriveworks in Paramus, NJ is located on Sunflower Ave, just off of State Route 17 and west of Di Maggio Park. We're in the same building as House Window Replacement & Installation and Harvest Property and Investment, and are neighbored by Exxon and Renell Label Print. The closest bus stop is Rt 17 and Ridgewood Ave.
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