Hello, my name is Bonita Hutchison. I am a Nationally Certified Trauma Therapist and hold dual licensure in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling in North Carolina / International Certification in Alcohol and Addiction Counseling / New Jersey Professional Mental Health Counselor Licensure and my License in California for Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counseling . Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio is where I earned my Masters Degree in Agency and Community Counseling in 1998. Over the years, I have learned that many people who come in for depression or anger sometimes have drinking, eating or substance use issues they are also struggling with or have used to cover up their pain. Each year to better serve you and provide the help needed to live and feel better I have continued to master additional skills to support your needs and recovery. These methods and approaches to counseling include Mindfulness, Couples Counseling, Psychodynamic therapy, Motivational Interviewing and how to improve Sleep Habits. My career as a Professional Counselor started with caring for children and teaching them to make better choices. I learned how I could help Parents and their children address challenges and barriers to success in facilitation of groups, individual and family therapy. After attending the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and earning Post Graduate Certification as a Drug Counselor in 2010, then my North Carolina License Professional Counselor (LCMHC #7953) credential and in 2020 due to the pandemic New Jersey Temporary Licensure (LPC # 010006) to provide mental health Counseling and Alcohol and Addiction treatment ( LADC # 014783) I applied recently to the California Board for Behavioral Health Licensure and Continue to hold International and National credentials to support you where ever you find yourself. In September of 2022, after over two years of temp licensure in New Jersey the Board of Marriage and Family Therapy issued my Permanent NJ license as a Professional Mental Health Counselor. I’m a good listener and educator that provides a warm and person centered approach to counseling that allows others to feel safe and supported in therapy. I work with consumers from all over the world and hold the IC&RC International Certification (ICAADC) to provide therapy and coping skills to better manage life situations as a Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor. My work through mental health Counseling and as a Clinical Supervisor (LCMHC-S #S7953) in North Carolina is very rewarding and teaches me how to reduce your anxiety, manage depression symptoms, cope with ADHD, move past Guilt and Shame, process Grief and Relationship/Family issues. My Substance Abuse licensure in North Carolina (LCAS #2313) and California (LAADC #RA8620417) as well as Mental Health Professional Counselor in New Jersey (#37PC00850200) has allowed me to help people struggling with abuse, problems and explore the questions you have about relationships, eating disorders or emotions. Alcoholism, Mental Health and Drug Addiction do not discriminate and working in this field has allowed me to support and assist many people and families from a variety of cultural and spiritual backgrounds, races and relationship situations that were keeping them from reducing mental health symptoms, maintaining recovery or sobriety. I might be able help and I look forward to working with you!

I am a Professional Licensed Counselor in the state of New Jersey since 1999. I am also a certified rehabilitation counselor and have worked with clients’ different aspects of disabilities including psychiatric, medical, or cognitive or special education category.I also do some career counseling. My approach is warm, and client centered. I also use Motivational Interviewing Techniques, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness or any other approach meeting an individual client’s needs. I like to use eclectic approach utilizing more than one approach at a different stage with a client or different approaches with different clients. My specialty is to work with clients who have stress, depression, ADHD, Autism, ambivalence in decision making, and seeking career direction. I would describe myself warm, compassionate, empathic, supportive, and effective.

As a licensed therapist in New Jersey, I bring nearly four decades of compassionate clinical experience to supporting individuals through life's complex challenges. My approach is deeply rooted in understanding the unique emotional landscapes of each person's journey, with specialized expertise in addressing depression, anxiety, relationship dynamics, trauma recovery and addiction recovery. I am committed to creating a supportive, non-judgmental therapeutic environment where clients can explore personal growth, heal from past experiences, and develop meaningful strategies for emotional well-being. My practice focuses on empowering individuals to cultivate self-love, improve communication, navigate life transitions, and overcome barriers that prevent personal fulfillment. With extensive training in addressing diverse concerns—including social anxiety, mood disorders, attachment challenges, and multicultural experiences—I offer a holistic, person-centered approach. My goal is to walk alongside you, providing thoughtful guidance and compassionate support as you move toward greater emotional resilience and personal understanding.

I am an LPC in New Jersey with 30+ years of experience. I worked at East Orange General Hospital from June 1985 - June 2014. I started as a Mobile Crisis Counselor - this means I went into the community to bring patients back to the hospital who were experience a true psychiatric crisis and evaluate the patient for psychiatric commitment. I transfer to there Outpatient Department and treated an array of patients from depression to the persistently mentally ill. While in Outpatient I helped develop and run the MICA (Mentally Ill Chemical Abuser) Program with a counselor from our addiction services. In 1995 I wrote polices and procedures for our first Partial Hospital Program and became the manager of the program. I then went on to help develop the Child and Adolescent Program. At this time I also handled the quality assurance for behavioral health and all the hospitals surveys for behavioral health. I then became Director of Behavioral Health - Inpatient, Crisis, Addiction Services, Partial Hospital Program, and Outpatient. I believe that in guiding the client through what they believe is their issues I can help them find healing so they can be there best possible selves.

From what I've observed personally, therapy is useful to anyone who is human. Why should you talk to a therapist instead of a friend or your mother? The difference is that therapists are expert listeners who do not judge, criticize, or contradict, but who want to hear everything you have to say and how you are feeling. You may want help discussing difficult thoughts and feelings or need guidance on particular issues, or you may not be sure how you feel. The therapy session offers a private, safe place where you can feel free to say everything. And if you have trouble talking, the therapist can help with that too. My mission is to offer that safe space where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment or criticism. Taking the first step to seek therapy takes courage. I’m here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in the state of New Jersey with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and family conflict. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in New Jersey with 33 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in New Jersey with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy related issues, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in New Jersey with 17 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & career difficulties. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started! I also specialize in Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

I am licensed in New Jersey with 11 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, family conflicts, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in Florida and New Jersey with 30 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, coping with grief, coping with loss, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in New Jersey with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, depression coping with addictions, anger management, & mood disorders. I have worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes alot of courage & I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in New Jersey and New York with 12 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting issues, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I also have experience working with despression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I have extensive clinical experience providing both individual and group psychotherapy to diverse populations.