Rashidah Afolarin
I am a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) with over 16 years of nursing experience, including more than 10 years as an advanced practice provider. My background includes psychiatry, primary care, hospital medicine, critical care, and integrated behavioral health, allowing me to provide comprehensive, patient-centered mental health care across the lifespan. I have extensive experience treating anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, trauma-related disorders, sleep disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and mood disorders. I also have experience caring for older adults with dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and other behavioral and cognitive health concerns. My approach to care is evidence-based, collaborative, and individualized. I incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)-informed techniques, motivational interviewing, psychoeducation, supportive therapy, and shared decision-making alongside thoughtful medication management. I believe treatment is most effective when clients are active partners in developing their care plan.
First session
During our sessions, clients can expect a warm, respectful, and nonjudgmental environment where they feel heard and supported. I take time to understand each person's concerns, review symptoms and treatment progress, discuss medication options when appropriate, and work together to establish realistic, achievable goals that support long-term wellness.
Strengths
I measure success by improvements in symptom management, daily functioning, quality of life, treatment adherence, and progress toward each client's personal goals. My goal is to empower clients with the knowledge, skills, and support they need to achieve lasting emotional well-being.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is an adolescent, adult, or older adult who is seeking compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric care and is motivated to improve their mental health and overall quality of life. I enjoy working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, trauma-related symptoms, sleep disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and other mood or behavioral health concerns. I also have experience caring for older adults with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Whether you are seeking help for the first time or have been managing a mental health condition for years, I strive to create a safe, supportive, and judgment-free environment where you feel heard and respected. I believe in collaborating with my clients to develop individualized treatment plans that may include medication management, psychoeducation, and lifestyle strategies to promote long-term emotional wellness. My goal is to help each client achieve symptom relief, improved daily functioning, and greater confidence in managing their mental health.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I believe the most effective mental health care combines evidence-based medication management with therapeutic strategies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). During our sessions, I incorporate CBT principles to help clients identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns, develop healthier coping skills, and improve emotional regulation. While carefully monitoring the effectiveness of medications, I also provide psychoeducation, supportive counseling, and practical CBT-based techniques that empower clients to actively participate in their recovery. My goal is to provide a collaborative, holistic approach that promotes lasting symptom improvement, resilience, and overall well-being.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients recognize the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Together, we identify unhelpful thinking patterns and beliefs that may be contributing to emotional distress and work to replace them with more balanced, realistic perspectives. I also teach practical coping strategies, problem-solving skills, relaxation techniques, and behavioral changes that clients can apply in their daily lives. My approach is collaborative, supportive, and tailored to each individual's goals, helping clients develop skills they can continue to use outside of therapy sessions.
Faith-based therapy
When clients desire it, I incorporate faith-based principles into treatment in a respectful, client-centered manner. I honor each person's spiritual beliefs and values and, with their permission, integrate those beliefs into the therapeutic process as a source of strength, hope, and resilience. This may include exploring how faith influences coping, decision-making, forgiveness, purpose, and healing while combining these discussions with evidence-based mental health treatment. My goal is to provide care that respects the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—while supporting each client's individual goals and preferences.
Psychodynamic
I use psychodynamic therapy to help clients explore how past experiences, early relationships, and unconscious patterns may influence their current thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships. Through a supportive and nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship, I encourage clients to gain insight into recurring patterns, identify underlying emotional conflicts, and increase self-awareness. I integrate psychodynamic principles with evidence-based approaches when appropriate, tailoring treatment to each client's unique needs, goals, and readiness for self-exploration.
Location
Virtual sessions
In-person sessions600 Somerdale Rd, Voorhees Township, NJ 08043, Suites 105-108
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Licensed in
- New JerseyLicense 26NJ00741500