Therapists serving clients in Ocean City, NJ

As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), I am dedicated to the supporting the well-being of my clients from a Christian perspective, though I welcome all who seek counseling, regardless of religious background. Whether you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, or parenting/marital troubles, I provide a safe place for you to come individually, as a family, or as a couple. While traditional therapy focuses more on the individual, MFT examines how an individual’s behavior affects both the individual and their relationship as part of a couple or family. The theory behind MFT is that regardless of whether a problem appears to be within an individual or within a family, getting other family members involved in the therapeutic process will result in more effective solutions. MFT is goal-oriented and works toward an established end result. In recent years, MFT practitioners and groups have called for expanded approaches to traditional MFT training that incorporate more “real world” practices to integrate other therapies and become more inclusive of non-heterosexual couples and families. I would address the behaviors of all family members and the way these behaviors affect not only individual family members, but also relationships between family members and the family unit as a whole. As such, treatment is usually divided between time spent on individual therapy and time spent on couple therapy, family therapy, or both, if necessary.

Thank you for visiting Francesco's online office! Welcome to the beginning of an exciting new personal journey with endless possibilities. The solo-practice Anchored Mind Psychotherapy was established by Francesco Rizzo LMFT, LCADC in 2022. His practice offers high quality psychotherapy for clients across the state of New Jersey in-person and online. Anchored Mind specializes in the diagnosis, therapy, and treatment planning in individual, couples, and family therapy. He utilizes evidence-based therapy approaches to assist you to manage anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, and other mental health issues as well as substance related concerns. He is happy to provide you with the support you need in a safe environment where you feel heard, understood, and not judged. Francesco looks forward to beginning this journey with you and hopes to provide you with the tools and support you need. Please remember that BetterHelp is not appropriate if you are in crisis or in immediate need of support. In crisis situations, please call 911 or local emergency services. You can also call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to talk to someone right away!

Hi there. My name is Darci Shinn, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of New Jersey. Below is some background information about my education, professional experiences, and therapeutic approaches. It is my hope that you see how I've incorporated my understanding of science and therapy in to one clinical practice. In 2006, I completed my undergraduate degree in Biology at William Patterson University. There I built my foundation for understanding how both internal and external events/stimuli impact a person's functioning. Following graduation, I worked for 2 years in Assisted Reproductive Technology. I was able to use my love of science to help folks create the families they desired. I moved on from there to work in pharmaceuticals as a compound technician. In this setting I gained deeper insight into how chemicals interact with bodies and minds. Although I had great satisfaction using my scientific strategies and knowledge, the lab setting left me feeling disconnected from my emotions and rigid in my thinking. I had known since about age 18 that I wanted to be a sex therapist. I did not have the courage to pursue until 2010 when I found the dual master's degrees in Social Work and Human Sexuality at Widener University. Through both programs I gained a wealth of clinical skills, learned theory, engaged in self-reflection, became a flexible thinker, and grew my understanding of how structure impacts function. Since graduation, I have worked in both school and agency settings. The majority of my experience has been with adults presenting with a wide variety of issues they have wanted to address. To that extent, I am a person-centered and solution-focused therapist. I am there to support individuals as they work to build their own insights and embrace solutions that fit their needs. Moment by moment, thought by thought, they do the work, and we examine together the missteps and the progress. Recognizing that small changes over time are what is necessary and knowing that it is okay to make mistakes are fundamental aspects of the work. I often like to harken back to my days in biology. I think about how structure relates to function, which translates to everyday thoughts, behaviors, decisions and habits. By structure, I mean your brain and body, and your daily routine. When we take care of the structure- give it the time, attention, and resources it needs, we influence the function. The function includes, but is not limited to, the ability to think, make decisions, process information and experiences, influence interpretations and have awareness. This way of thinking falls in line with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). That is to say, what we think, dictates our behavior. Our behavior in-turn impacts the structures of the brain and body. By purposefully altering thoughts and reactions, by exposure to new meaningful stimuli, by manipulating our environment and building awareness to everyday habits, the physical neurobiology of the brain can change. We can build the option to choose which thoughts are embraced and which are simply acknowledged, and effectively change the way we experience life. One of my favorite ways to use CBT is to address self-talk and work to make it more helpful and less harmful. Self-talk and thoughts are pretty similar, and while the science is still out on where exactly thoughts come from, it does seem clear they can often be detrimental. The pre-historic parts of our brain seem to be responsible for focusing on the negative aspects of experiences. CBT strategies can work against this innate thought manufacturing and allow for the more modern and sophisticated parts of the brain to have control. As I said before, taking care of the structure is an important part of functioning. I am a huge fan of incorporating movement and exercise into my CBT approach. The science does not waver when it comes to the physical and mental health benefits that simply moving the body provides. The advantages of improved mood, sleep, blood flow, energy, digestion and prevention of myriad diseases, to name some, are all fantastic ways to care for those all-important structures. When it comes to human sexuality, I am a sex-positive professional who advocates for healthy communication in relationships in order to achieve mutual satisfaction. I strive to help others understand the nature and scope of sexual behaviors in a non-judgmental atmosphere. I have engaged in extensive self-reflection which has helped me to develop neutrality, flexibility and compassion for many presenting problems. Through my training, I have been exposed to the broad spectrum of human behavior and thoughts related to sex. I have a thorough understanding of consent, power and control, social norms and outliers, stigma, gender, orientation, and identity. In adhering to my understanding of sexuality, Existential Therapy is one approach I use to assist individuals in creating meaning and understanding around their physical and mental sexual experiences. The brain/mind and body are integrated structures and as such, are subject to many given experiences in which they coordinate a response. Exploration and acceptance of those responses is facilitated to create purpose, satisfaction, and balance in sexual well-being. Just as many folks are, I am a work in progress. To be clear, I am working towards becoming certified with the American Association of Sexual Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). My over-arching goal to be a bona fide sex-therapist is on its way!

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) in the state of New Jersey. I have over seven years of experience working with substance use, mental health, and dual-diagnosis/co-occurring populations. I have worked in community agencies as well as hospital-based programs, and I have experience in several levels of care such as inpatient, outpatient, Intensive Outpatient (IOP), Partial Hospitalization (PHP/APH), and Medication Assisted Treatment (Methadone, Vivitrol, Suboxone). I also have experience working with trauma in addition to severe and persistent mental illness (Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia/Schizoaffective Disorder, Personality Disorders) and coordinating crisis intervention with this population. My counseling style is warm, non-judgmental, and person-centered. I believe you are the expert on you, and as your counselor I am here to assist you in achieving the goals you wish to accomplish in therapy. Together we will collaborate to form a treatment plan, measurable and achievable goals, assessing your progress and adjusting accordingly as necessary. One of the most significant reasons I entered this profession, is that I am a firm believe that "a little compassion goes a long way". It only takes one person to help you see the light when you feel trapped in the darkness. I also believe in the importance of empowerment in order to rebuild self esteem, self worth, and self efficacy - and I am looking forward to working with you!

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in New Jersey with over 5 years of experience working as a therapist. I received my counseling degree at St. John's University where I developed the skills to counsel individuals, couples, families, and groups. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, identity issues and existential issues. My treatment approach is to discover your needs and learn about your values. We can find a way to live out your values through daily virtues (behaviors) so that your life and personality are in total alignment. We can discover obstacles that get in the way of your goals and your wellbeing. My therapy style is client centered and nondirective but I am very active in guiding you to your goal. I am respective of clients leading the session towards wherever they want to go but will always lead you to walk away with tools and a solid conclusion to everything discussed to take with you to deal with your life outside of the session. Sometimes it can be complicated or unclear. However, we won't give up on discovering solutions and insight and will pick up where we last left off. My approach combines mainly acceptance and commitment therapy (to discover your values and live them out) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (to maintain healthy thought patterns and behaviors that encourage wholeness) and combining both to create a lifestyle that contributes to mental wellbeing. I look forward to working with you!

I am a licensed clinical social worker with a background in community mental healthcare. I have over 7 years of experience providing clinical services to children, youth, and adults with a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and trauma-related issues, as well as to individuals with chronic mental illnesses and substance use disorders. My clinical approach is comprised primarily of CBT and TF-CBT, but I also incorporate various aspects of other clinical modalities into my therapy sessions and attempt to tailor one's treatment as specifically to their individual needs as possible. I enjoy working with individuals of diverse cultures and backgrounds. I strive to provide a relaxed and supportive environment where individuals feel safe to discuss their feelings and concerns without fear of judgement regardless of their race/ethnicity, cultural background, religious/spiritual beliefs, sexual orientation, or gender identity. https://flhealthsource.gov/telehealth/

As a clinician, I have 20 years experience working with clients to identify underlying issues to current challenges and effective coping strategies. Together, we explore your goals and any habits and behaviors that may no longer be serving you. Change isn't always easy and I provide my clients a safe and supportive space to help find their answers within and a path forward. I take a cognitive-behavioral and person-centered approach with a focus on motivational interviewing. In addition to being a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC), I hold a certification as a Behavior Change Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and am studying to be a Health Coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. I utilize the structure of talk therapy to explore how the mind-body connection can help clients make changes, reach goals and sustain progress. It takes a lot of courage to reach out for help and I am so glad you are here. I look forward to working with you.

I am licensed in New Jersey with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, sexual & pornography addictions, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, & 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, trauma and abuse, & 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. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am a licensed therapist (LPC) in New Jersey as well as the approved (Counseling Compact States). Along with 9 years of professional work experience as a counselor, I have 34 years of Elementary teaching experience along with 3 Decades of Professional Singing. This allows for a varied exposure to numerous facets of life and circumstances. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, LGBTQ2+ related issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, anger, and depression to name a few. 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!