Hello! My name is Augustine and some people call me Dr. B. I am a family and marriage counselor licensed in New Jersey with over 25 years of experience, working in the mental service in different capacities. I had my Ph.D. since 2000 from an APA approved University at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including developmental disabilities, forensics, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, porn-related issues, parenting problems, career challenges, OCD and ADHD. I also helped many people who have experienced physical trauma and/or emotional trauma. And on several occasions, I have rendered services to members of the LGBTQ community.
My counseling style is warm, interactive, empathic and I believe that a therapist should have effective listening skills and be able to join with the client during the counseling process. I believe in treating anyone with respect, total acceptance, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. I believe that clients have the capacity to grow in therapy and the therapist should be a catalyst in that process. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, psychodynamic and rational-emotive counseling. I can say I'm eclectic in my approach, as clients come in therapy with different problems and no one modality in counseling is the answer to their particular problems. I will tailor our conversation and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. I believe that the client must be the driver to this therapeutic journey with the therapist.
Of course, it takes courage to seek for a more pleasing, satisfying and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. Change will always start from accepting that you have a problem. If you are ready to take that step I am here to support and empower you.
I look forward to working with you!
SPECIALTIES
Stress, Anxiety, PTSD, Depression
Relationship issues
Self esteem
Career difficulties
ADHD
Forensics
Also experienced in:
Addictions , Porn-related issues, LGBT , Family conflicts , Trauma and abuse , Grief , Intimacy-related issues , Eating disorders , Sleeping disorders , Parenting issues , Anger management , Depression
Years of Experience: 25 years
SERVICES OFFERED
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Antisocial Personality, Attachment issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Avoidant Personality, Blended Family Issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Commitment Issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Dependent Personality, Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Domestic Violence, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Forgiveness, Immigration Issues, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Intellectual Disability, Jealousy, Life purpose, Mood disorders , Multicultural Concerns, Narcissism, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Personality Disorders, Phobias, Polyamory / Nonmonogamous Relationships, Postpartum Depression, Post-traumatic stress, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Harm, Self-love, Sex Addiction, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Existential Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
NJ LPC 37PC00462400
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dr. Augustine Bessong. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Dr. Bessong is working miracle on my mental health.
Written on Feb 06, 2024 after therapy with Augustine for 1 year on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting issues, self esteem, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
I have been working with Dr. B for almost 2 years now. I can confidently say I would not be where I am today without his guidance and support. He is kind, funny, and always offers really powerful perspectives that allow me to think of things differently. I always feel heard, supported, and respected. I look forward to our sessions and always leave feeling motivated and lighter.
Written on Jul 08, 2023 after therapy with Augustine for 1 year and 9 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
Dr. B is very helpful in my healing . He is very helpful and guided me to the right way of dealing with my thoughts. Teaching me to think differently and take myself out of my own anxiety issues! Very professional in his ways. Direct to the point. No sugar coating! Which I prefer! And appreciated. Thank you Dr.B!
Written on Apr 05, 2023 after therapy with Augustine for 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, anger management, coping with life changes, and coaching
Dr B is simply amazing. Through the first couple of sessions, he has been able to connect intimately with me, and allow me to speak freely about subject matters that I have concealed even from myself.
In the months since working with Dr B, I have shed much mental burden I did not even realise I was carrying with me on a daily basis. He has also helped me to discover the underlying ADHD condition that underpinned my years-long battle with crippling depression and anxiety. I now feel light as a feather and free to soar through life like an unchained bird.
From the depths of my heart, thank you Dr B!
Written on Dec 29, 2022 after therapy with Augustine for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, and adhd
So far I have accomplished more that I have in the past, Dr. B it’s a very patient and understanding therapist
Written on Oct 22, 2022 after therapy with Augustine for 2 weeks on issues concerning trauma and abuse, anger management, bipolar disorder, and adhd
Dr. B is fantastic. His calm demeanor and patience have been great as a I navigate therapy. Because of him I believe I am a healthier person in body, spirit, and of course mind. I would highly recommend him for anyone seeking therapy.
Written on Mar 09, 2022 after therapy with Augustine for 9 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, and compassion fatigue