LCSW, 2 years of experience
New to Grow
Hi, I’m Elliott, a clinical social worker in Bordentown, NJ, licensed in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. My passion lies in helping adults navigate life's challenges, from anxiety and mood dysregulation to major life transitions. With over 20 years of experience in New Jersey's Children’s System of Care, I’ve held various roles, including therapist and clinical supervisor. My practice is trauma-informed and person-centered. I believe that meaningful change is possible through a collaborative therapeutic relationship. My role is to help you process stressors, identify your goals, and equip you with the tools you need to not only meet them but exceed them. When we work together, you can expect me to be a compassionate, empathetic, and authentic partner in your journey toward wellness.
After we have introduced ourselves you can expect me to explain my background, qualifications and the type of therapy I practice. I like to cover confidentiality early on, including its limits (for example if there's a risk of harm to yourself or others, or if records are subpoenaed by a court). Once we have covered confidentiality I will begin to understand the core reason why you are seeking therapy and what's currently on your mind. You can expect questions about your current symptoms (anxiety, sadness, stress, etc.) and how long you've been experiencing them. We will also talk about recent life events or stressors (e.g., job changes, relationship issues, loss). We will also cover your personal history, including childhood, family dynamics, relationships, education, and career. Any past therapy experiences and what was helpful or unhelpful about them. Another important topic is what a typical day looks like for you. You are in control of what you share and at what pace. Don't feel pressured to reveal everything in the first session, especially deeply personal or traumatic experiences. It's okay to say you're not ready to discuss something yet. Goal Setting: The therapist will likely ask about your goals for therapy – what you hope to achieve or what "doing better" would look like for you. These can be specific (e.g., reduce panic attacks) or more general (e.g., improve relationships, better understand myself). This helps the therapist start to formulate a potential treatment plan tailored to your needs. There will be time for you to ask me any questions you have. This is your opportunity to assess if I am a good fit for you.
I am proud to say that I have received excellent feedback and reviews from clients who appreciate my style of therapy. They have said they feel supported every step of the way and have benefitted by how I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help them through their challenges. ACT essentially builds resilience by promoting the idea that we can allow uncomfortable feelings and thoughts to sit with us while assessing our behaviors and making sure they are aligned with our values. Greater resilience and a greater sense of purpose have meant my clients have found ways to find life more meaningful and to explore themselves a lot more than they had before.
While I have worked with clients with a wide range of treatment needs, I align well with those experiencing mood dysregulation and a personal history of trauma. Clients who are committed to therapy tend to have the best outcomes, even when it feels tough so I regularly check in to see how they think therapy is going. Ongoing discourse about the therapeutic journey is an important part of the process as adjustments can be made along the way with the treatment plan which is what is going to guide the therapeutic journey.
I like using ACT for its flexibility. It is a powerful framework for exploring how to accept difficult emotions while also focusing on your values and making sure your behaviors are in support of your values and goals. I have had clients who have become students of ACT as the approach has resonated strongly with them.
CBT is a great way to identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to emotional distress. It provides practical, evidence-based strategies and coping skills that empower people to manage their mental health challenges in daily life. This structured, goal-oriented approach often leads to measurable and lasting positive changes in mood, behavior, and overall well-being.