Angie Hollander
Angie Hollander
I'm Angie Hollander, an LMSW with 14 years of experience providing compassionate therapy in New Jersey and Michigan. I partner with adults of all ages, including young adults (14-18) navigating challenging life transitions, trauma, or concerning thoughts and behaviors. My goal is to help you remove the burdens of stigma and shame, align your actions with your deepest values, and leverage your existing strengths and life experiences to integrate new skills and perspectives, empowering you to live a more fulfilling life.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
When we first meet, please know that our initial session won't be too "hard or messy." We'll primarily focus on the mechanics of therapy: discussing how and when we'll work together, what to expect from each other, and how we can openly give and receive feedback about our process. We'll also touch upon some general information about the history of the issues you're facing. Most importantly, we'll explore what you hope to accomplish in therapy, and I'll share some initial ideas about potential pathways to get there and the possible timeline involved.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
What makes my approach unique is that I've navigated many of life's complexities myself, allowing me to bring a rich understanding to our work. I am committed to continuous learning and personal growth, always striving to expand my knowledge and skills. I'm humble and realistic about what I can and cannot do, and I am never afraid to seek consultation or support when needed. You can count on me to be a dedicated listener who will also thoughtfully contribute to our conversations. Above all, I will always honor your autonomy, as we embark on this journey together as true partners in the process.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I'm best positioned to serve self-motivated individuals, including young adults (14-18) and adults of all ages, who are ready to look within and consider new perspectives. If you're grappling with depression, anxiety, trauma, dissociation, mood disorders, life transitions, or seeking greater satisfaction in your social experiences, and you possess an open, growth-oriented mindset, we'll be a great team. Together, we'll work to debunk the unhelpful narratives we tell ourselves, learn new skills, gain confidence, and put down the burdens of shame, empowering you to align your actions with your deepest values and live a more fulfilling life.
About Angie Hollander
I identify as
Serves ages
Licensed in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Initial Assessment and Psychoeducation: We begin by thoroughly assessing the client's presenting concerns, their history, and their goals for therapy. I then introduce the core CBT model – the interplay of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors – using examples relevant to their experiences. This helps clients understand the "why" behind the techniques. We work collaboratively to identify automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) that arise in specific situations. I teach clients about common cognitive distortions (e.g., catastrophizing, black-and-white thinking, mind-reading). We use thought records or journaling to capture and analyze these thoughts. I use other techniques such as behavioral activation, exposure therapy, problem solving and relaxing techniques. There is homework and in-session skill building.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I use DBT to emphasize four key areas of skill building: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotional Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness. We work to balance acceptance and change. I have employed individual therapy, skills training groups, and phone coaching as needed.
Grief Therapy
I use grief therapy to normalize the grief process, create a safe space for expression, work toward adaptation to the loss, and explore meaning making. First and foremost is compassionate holding and validation of the client's pain and helping them normalize and identify areas of potential work together. Then we move into understanding the nature of the loss and creating narratives to explore the relationship to the deceased, etc. Activities may include letter writing, memory boxes, and photo collages. We address any areas of cognitive distortions and self blame and learn techniques for emotion process and regulation. We then move into a phase of making new meaning and reengaging with life.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
The core premise is that every part of our personality system, and we all have multiple parts, no matter how disruptive its behavior might seem, has a positive intention for us. It's often the extreme roles these parts adopt that cause distress, not their fundamental nature. We work to identify the parts, heal the wounded parts, and unburden the protective parts.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a client-centered, collaborative, and directive method for enhancing intrinsic motivation to change by exploring and resolving ambivalence. MI is particularly effective because it's not about persuading someone to change, but about helping them clarify their own values and goals and see how change aligns with them.