• Embrace hope!

    We are a team of compassionate, expertly trained, and highly skilled therapists.

    Embrace hope!

    At Strength for Change we will help you find your path to health and wellbeing.

    Embrace hope!

    We specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and other evidence based practices.

    Embrace hope!

    Established in 2001,  we are a highly trusted and valued resource in the communities we serve.

    Welcome to Strength for Change

    At Strength for Change, we are a team of compassionate, expertly trained, and highly skilled therapists. We specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and other evidence-based practices in the treatment of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, ADHD, and other life difficulties, and are devoted to the care and well-being of our clients. When it comes to counseling services in Sparta and Wayne, NJ and the nearby areas, our team at Strength For Change is the one to call.

    Strength for Change was founded by Bernard Ivin, LCSW in 2001. His mission was to train and support other therapists in the practice of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and make the therapy more readily available within the communities he serves. His passion for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy comes from his own application of the therapy in overcoming personal difficulties and witnessing its transformative power in the lives of his clients. If you’ve been trying to find a therapist in Sparta or Wayne NJ or the surrounding area, look no further. Strength For Change is here to help.

    Meet Our Team

    Our Commitment To Excellence

    We are committed to providing our clients with the highest quality of care and service possible.  This is not just a slogan that appears on our letterhead, it is a self imposed expectation we strive to meet in every client interaction.

    In our commitment to excellence, we pledge to:

    • Care for our clients as we would a family member
    • Adhere to the highest level of professional ethics and standards
    • Provide clients with a welcoming, nonjudgemental, and supportive environment in which they feel secure in expressing their most authentic self
    • Maintain superior clinical skills through a commitment to lifelong learning and advanced professional training
    • Be conscientious and diligent in the performance of all professional responsibilities
    • Make ourselves available as a resource to parents, educators, and the communities we serve
    • Advocate for understanding, compassion, and support for those who struggle with mental health challenges
    • Exceed the expectations of those we serve

    What Distinguishes Us From Other Providers

    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

    CBT has been researched perhaps more than any other psychological therapy. It is an evidence-based therapy proven highly effective in the treatment of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and many other mental health conditions. Please visit the National Institute of Mental Health website (www.nimh.com) to learn more about CBT and the importance of evidence-based mental health treatments. 

    CBT was developed in the 1960’s by Dr. Aaron T. Beck out of the University of Pennsylvania. It is based on the idea that our thoughts determine our emotional and behavioral reactions, and that by learning to control our thoughts we are able to feel good and do good in the pursuit of our life’s goals. 

    CBT teaches clients how to become their own therapists who are capable of using a variety of coping strategies to effectively manage their emotional and behavioral reactions. Clients learn skills and strategies for restructuring negative thought patterns, generating self-motivation, changing unhealthy behaviors, and cultivating a “solution-focused” lifestyle. 

    Motivation-Focused Strategies

    For any therapy to be effective, the individual receiving it must be an active participant in the treatment process. Simply put, the best treatment plan means nothing without the client’s motivation for implementing it. 

    Unfortunately, most mental health conditions impair an individual’s motivation for school, work, social life, and self-care. When family and friends try to intervene, they are frustrated by the individual’s lack of responsiveness and view it as a willful act of resistance. Once the individual’s support system is frustrated in this way conflicts intensify, and the individual’s mental health gets worse. 

    At Strength for Change, we have a treatment model that accounts for the individual’s impaired motivation. Our guiding principle is that we are responsible for helping clients cultivate the motivation that is needed for treatment success. With this in mind, we have developed numerous motivational strategies that are implemented throughout the treatment process.

    Individualized & Evidence Based Care

    While we specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, we do not have a one size fits all approach to therapy. Instead, we match our therapeutic approach to the client’s symptoms, diagnosis, age, personality, and level of motivation. 

    This Individualized approach is based on the American Psychiatric Associations Best Practices Guidelines which advocates the use of evidence-based therapies. For example, anxiety disorders are treated with individual CBT, while ADHD is treated with a combination of academic coaching and family therapy. The condition is matched to the therapy that is proven most effective in its treatment. 

    In addition to raising the effectiveness of therapy, our individualized approach also helps the client feel more deeply understood and valued. These feelings enhance the trust and collaboration between the client and therapist, and create a more satisfying and enjoyable treatment experience.

    When you are ready to find your path towards health & wellbeing

    Resources For Students & Parents

    The Essential Guide To Mental Health Services

    A Parent's Guide To Understanding A Child's Mental Health Difficulties & Obtaining Needed Services

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    Relationship Centered Parenting

    A Parenting Model for Effectively Managing a Child's Difficult Behavior & Creating a Cooperative Family Environment

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    FREE DOWNLOAD - SPANISH

    The 1-2-3 Succeed Program

    A Student Program For Leaning The Organization, Homework, & Study Skills Necessary For School Success

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