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5 therapists available in Toms River
My own experiences with trauma allow me to offer deeper empathy and understanding, and because I know the courage it takes to seek...
About
My own experiences with trauma allow me to offer deeper empathy and understanding, and because I know the courage it takes to seek help, I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where every client feels heard, valued, and appreciated.
I am an LCSW, LCADC, CCS, and SAP with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Substance Abuse Counseling from Ramapo College of NJ (2012), and a Master's degree in Social Work with a concentration in Substance Abuse Counseling from Rutgers University. I have extensive experience across inpatient, IOP, and PHP levels of care, working with individuals ages 10 through adulthood, and progressed from therapist to Clinical Director. I specialize in the treatment of anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, mood disorders, and personality disorders, and am committed to providing compassionate, client-centered care.
I utilize a range of evidence-based modalities, primarily Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing. Through compassion, empathy, and collaborative effort, I support individuals in their healing process and am honored to walk alongside them on their journey toward lasting wellness.
Taking the first step toward support can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. I strive to create a warm, safe, and supportive space where you feel heard and valued. Healing is possible, and together we can work toward meaningful growth and lasting change at a pace that feels right for you.
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Rooted in both lived and clinical experience, I am grateful to preach what I practice and support clients in discovering the power...
Rooted in both lived and clinical experience, I am grateful to preach what I practice and support clients in discovering the power of healing.
I am a Licensed Associate Counselor with 2 years of experience. My counseling approach is person-centered and tailored to meet each individual’s biopsychosocial needs. I specialize in working with adolescents through older adults facing anxiety, depression, trauma, mood and personality disorders, substance use, self-harm, and emotional dysregulation. My professional background includes experience across outpatient programs, detox units, inpatient hospitals, and university counseling centers.
I earned my Master’s in Counseling from Stockton University. I integrate evidence-based practices, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, rational emotive behavior therapy, and mindfulness.
I believe healing requires consistency, patience, and courage. My goal is to create a safe, inclusive, and affirming space where clients can explore their emotions and develop greater self-awareness. I am honored to walk alongside each client, offering empathy, encouragement, and tools to support lifelong well-being.
After a critical health scare, after which I had to learn how to walk again, I knew that helping people, especially those who stru...
After a critical health scare, after which I had to learn how to walk again, I knew that helping people, especially those who struggle with weight, body image, disordered eating, trauma, depression, and anxiety, was what I wanted to do.
I’m Sharon Ryan, a Licensed Professional Counselor with 8 years of experience supporting children, teens, and adults through a wide range of challenges. I specialize in eating disorders, anxiety, depression, self-worth, trauma, and body image. My background includes certification as a personal trainer and bariatric counselor, and expertise in weight and body neutrality. I believe that understanding the connection between mind and body is key to lasting healing and growth.
I earned my Master’s in Professional Counseling from William Paterson University. I draw on evidence-based modalities including eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, cognitive behavioral therapy, grief counseling, play therapy, and holistic approaches. My therapeutic style is client-centered, trauma-informed, and rooted in whole-person health.
I welcome clients ready to take the next step toward healing with compassion and support. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, body image, depression, trauma, or relationships, I provide a safe and nonjudgmental space to explore challenges and build resilience. Together, we’ll work toward uncovering your strengths and finding peace in daily life.
As someone who has faced many challenges and adversities in life, I know how important it is to feel safe and supported, and I am ...
As someone who has faced many challenges and adversities in life, I know how important it is to feel safe and supported, and I am here to provide a compassionate space where you do not have to face life's challenges alone.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 8 years of experience providing therapeutic support to adolescents, adults, couples, and families. My clinical experience includes working with individuals facing anxiety, depression, grief, bipolar disorder, addiction and recovery, stress management, adjustment disorder, and perinatal and postpartum mood disorders. I strive to create a welcoming and supportive environment where clients feel at ease and the process of beginning therapy is as smooth as possible.
I earned my Master of Social Work from Monmouth University. My approach is collaborative and non-judgmental, drawing on evidence-based methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy, client-centered therapy, strengths-based perspectives, and motivational interviewing to best support my clients.
My goal is to help clients build resilience and create a personalized path to healing that reflects their unique needs and life experiences. I am dedicated to walking alongside clients as they navigate challenges, discover new insights, and work toward meaningful and lasting change.
Drawing from my experiences as a mother of 3 children (1 of whom is on the autism spectrum)and my own journey through loss and tee...
Drawing from my experiences as a mother of 3 children (1 of whom is on the autism spectrum)and my own journey through loss and teenage depression, I understand firsthand the importance of compassion, resilience, and hope in the healing process.
I am a Licensed Associate Counselor in New Jersey with 4 years of experience. I work with children, teens, and adults navigating anxiety, depression, and mood disorders with psychotic features. I also specialize in supporting neurodiverse individuals, including those on the autism spectrum, helping them strengthen coping skills, emotional regulation, and self-confidence through empathy and collaboration.
I earned my Master’s in Counseling from the University of Phoenix. My approach is person-centered, blending cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and mindfulness-based strategies. I strive to create a warm, inclusive space where clients feel heard, supported, and empowered to achieve emotional growth.
I bring personal and professional insight to my work. I understand the challenges families face and help them find balance, connection, and hope. My goal is to guide each client toward peace, confidence, and meaningful, lasting change.
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My go-to approach for helping people in family therapy is establishing clarity about familial hierarchy and roles, determining core needs, and working towards amelioration of the same. I prefer/enjoy/find the best benefit in structured communication exercises because it provides clear guidance about how to disrupt disordered communication patterns.
I teach the following tools in family therapy: structured problem solving; active listening exercises; and cognitive reframing to help clients work past negative assumptions that interfere with familial comity.
I know a client is making meaningful progress in family therapy when families report successful communication events and reflect positively upon implementing shared tools.
Clients can supplement their time in family therapy with expanding active family time (e.g., board games, scheduled family dinners, etc.).
To prepare for their first family therapy session, an individual can create a list of what they feel are core familial strengths so we can build upon them and use them to overcome challenges.
Family therapy helps families resolve conflicts and strengthen their relationships. It is led by qualified mental health professionals like psychologists, licensed professional counselors (LPCs), and licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) who have extensive training in family dynamics and group communication.
Thriveworks family therapists in Toms River, NJ usually begin by asking what everyone’s goals are for family counseling. Family members may need help with very specific issues or with general relationship functioning. But there are three main purposes in family counseling: to educate, to counsel, and to strengthen. Thriveworks also offers online family therapy and in-person services, so you may all meet in an office together or join a video call from your home depending on everyone’s location and availability.
The most effective form of Family therapy will often depend on the family itself, as there are many types of family therapy for therapists to use as they see fit in order to best meet the needs of their clients. However, one of the most commonly used types of family therapy is structural family therapy (SFT). SFT focuses specifically on family dynamics and interactions, looking at how they shape the relationships and structure present in the family. It can be effectively used to treat a variety of concerns.
This answer often looks different to each family that starts family therapy. However, some signs that your family might need to consider family counseling include frequent fights or misunderstandings, constant tension, experiencing loss, behavioral issues, marital issues, divorce, and blended family issues, among others.
In family therapy, therapists will often start by asking questions and assessing individual and family dynamics. From there, they may employ therapeutic techniques such as structured family therapy, CBT, strategic family therapy, and more depending on the present concerns and conflicts. From there, a therapist will work to open lines of communication between family members and facilitate emotional healing and growth.
Family therapy can be incredibly successful, with some studies reporting a success rate of almost 90% for improving participants’ emotional and mental health, and around 66% for improving their physical health.
Thriveworks therapists in Toms River, NJ offer both online family therapy and in-person family therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
Family therapy is usually short term and solution-focused, with most families accomplishing their goals in 12 sessions or fewer. However, it can also last for longer if the probles at hand are more complex — and that’s okay, too.
Toms River family counseling understands the mess and beautiful, chaotic and lovely of family. We believe that if we can just stop chasing perfection and start chasing acceptance and love in a family, we will see real healing and growth. So, whatever your family shape is- biological, adopted, foster, stepfamily, living in one house or two houses or three houses, or anywhere in between, Thriveworks in Toms River is here to serve you. Call 732-852-4977 to learn more or schedule a family therapy session today.
Hardships can feel like they appeared out of thin air. Even the most prepared families can be knocked off their rhythm with financial trouble, sickness, big changes in family dynamic, and the like. It’s hard work keeping familial love at the center when external pressures are pushing in on all sides, but it’s not something you have to do alone.
Thriveworks in Toms River family counseling is here to equip you and your family with the tools you need to not just survive the storms ahead but thrive. Some of what we cover includes:
Family therapy in Toms River, NJ is client centered. This just means that we strive to work with clients, not change them. Your familial culture and beliefs are important, and we want to cultivate love and growth in a way that is inclusive to who you are!
In general, family counseling can take two forms:
A few of the focuses a family counseling session might have include:
Toms River family counseling believes in rebuilding and strengthening what you already have. It takes a lot of courage and resilience to admit you have a problem and seek help. Toms River family counselors thank you for your dedication to your family. Reaching out is a sign of strength, never a weakness.
There is never a reason too big or too small to come to counseling. Toms River counselors honestly want to help get your family to a healthy, flourishing spot. Maybe it’ll take a few sessions, or maybe it’ll take a few months. Regardless, we make it easy to customize the therapeutic process to fit your family.
With that being said, there are some common reasons families come to counseling. This includes:
Toms River family counselors at Thriveworks are skilled at creating a space of healing and growth for your family. There is no avoiding the importance of family in our lives, so we might as well make it as healthy and loving as possible.
To schedule a family therapy session, give Thriveworks in Toms River Counseling a call at 732-852-4977. We offer our clients many benefits–we accept most major insurances, we provide same-week appointments to new clients, and we offer evening and weekend sessions.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
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