If you're reading this, then there is a good chance that you may be struggling or hurting (or trying to help someone who is). I'm sorry that you are in that space and I will do my absolute best to support you (and walk beside you) in your journey.
I am a firm believer in being open and forth coming. If something doesn't work for you - tell me and we can work to solve it. I appreciate a therapeutic relationship built on trust and honesty. If either one of us is lost, confused or concerned, then we discuss it and figure it out.
A little bit about me (just so folks know that I'm both a genuine person and that I have the experience and knowledge to do this work):
I graduated from Temple University with my Master's Degree in Social work. I studied cognitive behavioral therapy, addiction counseling, rational emotive behavioral therapy, EMDR, motivational interviewing, and most importantly I studied Gestalt Therapy at the Gestalt Institute of Philadelphia for three years. (I'm also happy to give you a somewhat concise description of Gestalt Therapy because it is a bit ambiguous.) I teach part time at both Rutgers University and Camden County College.
I have extensive experience providing trauma counseling (both individual and group) to survivors of sexual assault from multiple backgrounds.
I value my family and the awesome relationships I have with my friends and support people in my life. I have done a significant amount of work on my healing from trauma, and I use my experience not a measure of comparison but rather as a source of internal strength. I am proud of my well-earned accomplishments, and I work hard to learn from the things that I have screwed up (there’s plenty of them).
I live in New Jersey, enjoy the outdoors, running, cycling, pina coladas and getting caught in the rain (I also tend to have a sarcastic sense of humor).
One caveat is that as a social worker and a therapist: I fall very far to the side that I believe that our society has oppressed and harmed many groups of individuals. I believe that it is our responsibility not just as individuals but also as therapists to actively support those who have been harmed by racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia, ableism and anti-Semitism. So while I believe that providing culturally responsive care is essential, I go beyond that to see part of my responsibility is to work to undo that harm that has been done.
Finally, I encourage you to contact me to find out more about me before you make your decision. I am happy to answer questions you may have and give you an opportunity to find out more about me to make sure I am the right person for you.
Brian Colangelo (He/Him/His)
Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Grief, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, Avoidant Personality, Codependency, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Emptiness, Fatherhood Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Impulsivity, Isolation / loneliness, Men's issues, Mood disorders , Panic disorder and panic attacks, Personality Disorders, Post-traumatic stress, Self-Harm, Self-love, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Sexuality, Smoking/Vaping Cessation
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Psychodynamic Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
NJ LCSW 44SC05390100
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Brian Colangelo. 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.
Brian is my best find of 2021 :) I was battling panic attacks and severe anxiety when I found him on Betterhelp and lofe has been much better since. He patiently listens to me, holding a respectful, non-judgmental space for whatever it is that I have to say and offers sound advice free from bias and grounded in reason and my well-being. I love my therapy sessions with Brian and highly recommend him to whoever needs help walking on in their lives :)
Written on Apr 23, 2022 after therapy with Brian for 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
Brian is an amazing therapist and a great support system. He understood exactly the kind of therapy i needed and the way i needed to be taught and delivered. He was always respectful of my time and feelings. I’m so grateful i was assigned to him :)
Written on Feb 28, 2022 after therapy with Brian for 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, self esteem, and career difficulties
Brian is very caring and kind.
Written on Jan 22, 2022 after therapy with Brian for 3 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, and coaching
Though I have only recently started working with Brian, he’s been a great help to me. He is a great listener, thoughtful, encouraging, supportive, personable, and knows how to get to the heart of what I am struggling with.
Written on Nov 29, 2021 after therapy with Brian for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, self esteem, relationship issues, and family conflicts
Best therapist ever, he is very kind and a very good listener. He really concerns about his
patients.
Written on Nov 11, 2021 after therapy with Brian for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, coaching, and adhd
I can say about Brian that he is very real and easy to talk. I have told him everything that is bothering me with ease. I was lucky to meet him!
Written on Nov 05, 2021 after therapy with Brian for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma and abuse