Victoria Wells-Manlandro
I earned my Master of Social Work from Rutgers University School of Social Work and have spent my career working in a variety of areas within mental and behavioral health. Over the years, I have found that my greatest strengths and interests are in working with individuals navigating substance use disorders, trauma, life transitions, and patterns that can leave them feeling stuck. My approach to therapy is focused, practical, and collaborative. I lean strongly toward Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), helping clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and the choices they make in everyday life. I also recognize that our experiences, relationships, physical well-being, stress, and ability to care for ourselves all influence how we feel and function. I believe therapy should help you take what you learn about yourself and put it into action. Together, we can identify patterns that may no longer be serving you, recognize strengths and strategies that are already working, and develop realistic ways to create meaningful change outside of the therapy session. I place a strong emphasis on self-awareness, personal responsibility, balance, and self-care. I don’t view self-care as another list of things you “should” be doing, but as an important part of building a life that is manageable and sustainable. Whether you are working through trauma, substance use or recovery, a difficult transition, or simply know that something needs to change, my goal is to help you better understand where you are, identify where you want to go, and take manageable steps toward getting there.
First session
Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and understand what brought you to therapy and what you would like to change. You don’t need to have everything figured out or tell your entire story at once. We’ll talk about what is challenging you, but also identify your strengths and what is already working. Together, we’ll begin identifying your goals and what meaningful progress might look like. My goal is for you to leave your first session feeling comfortable, understood, and with a clearer sense of where we can begin.
Strengths
One of the greatest strengths I bring to therapy is the ability to meet people where they are while also helping them move forward. I am compassionate and nonjudgmental, but I also believe in being honest, direct, and focused on the changes a client wants to make. My years of experience working with people facing substance use, trauma, mental health concerns, relationship difficulties, and significant life challenges have taught me that there is rarely one simple explanation for why someone is struggling. I am skilled at helping clients recognize patterns, understand how past experiences may be influencing their present lives, and identify the areas where they have the ability to make changes. I also bring a practical approach to therapy. While understanding why we think, feel, or behave in certain ways is important, I believe insight is most valuable when we can use it. I help clients turn what they discover in therapy into realistic strategies they can apply in their everyday lives. I value resilience and believe it is important to recognize what is going well, not only what needs to change. Clients often have strengths, coping skills, and successes they may overlook when they are struggling. Helping people recognize those strengths and build upon them is an important part of my work. Above all, I bring consistency, authenticity, and the belief that meaningful change is possible through intentional, manageable steps.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is someone who recognizes that something in their life is not working the way they would like and is ready—or beginning to feel ready—to explore what could be different. You do not need to have everything figured out or even know exactly what you want to change. Sometimes knowing that you don’t want to continue feeling or living the way you are is enough of a place to start. I especially enjoy working with individuals who are dealing with substance use or recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, life transitions, or patterns of thinking and behavior that have become difficult to change on their own. I work well with clients who appreciate a therapist who is engaged, practical, and willing to be direct when needed. Therapy with me is collaborative. I will listen and provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space, but I will also ask questions, help you recognize patterns, challenge thoughts or behaviors that may be getting in your way, and help you develop strategies you can use in your everyday life. You do not have to come to therapy feeling completely motivated or confident about change. Ambivalence is often part of the process. What matters is a willingness to be curious about yourself and open to considering different ways of approaching the challenges in your life. Ultimately, my ideal client is someone who wants more than simply understanding why they feel stuck—they want help figuring out what to do next.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
My approach focuses on helping you understand how the way you think about situations can affect how you feel and respond. Together, we’ll identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck and explore different ways of looking at and responding to challenges. The goal isn’t simply to think more positively. It’s to develop a more balanced perspective, make intentional choices, and practice new ways of responding that can lead to meaningful changes in your everyday life.
Location
Virtual sessions