Strength for Change
A Group Practice of Compassionate & Highly Skilled Therapists
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Anxiety, Depression, & Other Mental Health Conditions in New Jersey
Strength for Change is a group practice of compassionate, expertly trained, and highly
skilled therapists specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and the treatment of anxiety, depression, ADHD, substance abuse, and other mental health conditions. We offer a variety of services including individual, couples/marriage, and family counseling. All our therapists have extensive experience working with adults and children ages 11-17 and they are committed to providing their clients with the highest quality of care and service possible.
Strength for Change was established in 2001 with the goal of training therapists in CBT and making this powerful evidence-based counseling more accessible in the communities we serve from our Mt. Arlington and Wayne offices. Our passion for CBT comes from the abundance of research supporting its effectiveness and witnessing its transformative power in the lives of our clients.
To learn more about CBT and our evidence-based approach to treatment, download our emotional toolkit. It will give you a comprehensive overview of our treatment model and how it can benefit you in your journey towards healing, recovery, and personal empowerment. Click below.
Insurance & the Cost of Treatment:
All Strength for Change therapists are out-of-network providers. If you have out-of-network coverage, your insurance company will reimburse you 50-90% of your out-of-pocket costs for services.
Strength for Change therapists are NOT members of any in-network insurance panels.
If you only have in-network coverage, you will NOT receive any reimbursement from your insurance company and will incur the full cost of services.
While most of our clients are reimbursed 70-80% of their out-of-pocket cost,
reimbursement rates can vary greatly. We encourage you to speak with your insurance
provider to determine the nature of your policy, exact reimbursement rate, and how to submit claims.
Payment is made at the time of each scheduled appointment. Your therapist will provide you with a payment voucher that you submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement. The reimbursement is sent directly to you, not your Strength for Change therapist.
Available Counseling Services:
- Individual Counseling: Individual counseling will support you in understanding, managing and overcoming emotional, behavioral, and relationship difficulties. Our individual counseling will be tailored to your specific needs and goals and will provide you with numerous coping tools for managing and overcoming your life’s difficulties. Your first counseling session will be scheduled within 3-7 days of your initial contact with Strength for Change.
- Couples/Marriage Counseling: Couples/marriage counseling will support you and your partner in improving your communication skills, rebuilding trust, resolving conflict, and restoring intimacy. Your first couples/marriage counseling session will be scheduled within 3-7 days of your initial contact with Strength for Change.
- Family Counseling: Family counseling will support you in developing the interpersonal and parenting skills necessary for addressing family issues, restoring peace and order in your home, and cultivating a cooperative family environment. Your first family counseling session will be scheduled within 3-7 days of your initial contact with Strength for Change.
- Mental Health Screening: Our mental health screening service is intended for students mandated to participate in a “risk assessment” by their school districts due to concerns regarding their mental health and related safety. The benefit of this service is that it provides you (the parent or guardian) with an alternative to taking your child to the hospital ER for the mandated screening, which can take several hours and cause significant emotional distress for you and your child. Your child’s mental health screening will be scheduled within the same day as your initial contact with Strength for Change.
- Substance Abuse Evaluations: Our substance abuse evaluation service is intended for individuals (children and adults) mandated to participate in a substance abuse evaluation by their school, employer, or the criminal justice system. The benefit of this service is it provides you with an alternative to obtaining your mandated evaluation from a substance abuse treatment facility. Since Strength for Change is not a substance abuse treatment facility, this assures you that there is no conflict of interest with regards to the objectivity of the evaluation, its findings, and related follow up recommendations. Your substance abuse evaluation will be scheduled within 72 hours of your initial contact with Strength for Change.
Whether you are seeking services for yourself or your child, we are confident that one of our dedicated therapists will be able to effectively meet your clinical needs.
The Benefit of Choosing Strength for Change as Your Treatment Provider:
- Direct Communication: You will be able to communicate directly with your therapist via his or her cell phone, including off hours and weekends for urgent matters. Your calls and other communications will be returned in a timely manner.
- Minimal Wait Time: You will receive a call back within 24 hours of your initial contact with our office, and you will be scheduled for your first appointment within one week. Your appointments will always start within 10 minutes of your scheduled time. If your therapist is running late, you will be notified via text so that you are not inconvenienced.
- Flexible Appointment Options: You will have the option of day, evening, or weekend in-person or virtual appointments. In-person appointments will take place in professional offices conveniently located off two major highways, handicapped- accessible, well-furnished, and clean. Virtual sessions will occur on a secure platform meeting all HIPAA privacy standards.
- Individualized Care: You will participate in a comprehensive mental health assessment and be informed of your diagnosis (if applicable) and related individualized treatment plan. Your treatment plan will consist of evidence-based therapies that are consistent with the American Psychiatric Association’s Best Practices Guidelines.
- The Highest Standard of Confidentiality: Your information will be held to the highest standard of confidentiality. Since we are an out-of-network provider, not even your insurance company will have access to your treatment information without your written consent.
- Additional Clinical Support: If you feel your counseling is not progressing satisfactorily or are in any way dissatisfied with the counseling you are receiving, at zero cost, you can consult with our Clinical Director (Bernard Ivin, LCSW) for a second opinion and, if need be, a revised treatment plan.
We treat anxiety, depression, ADHD, substance abuse, relationship difficulties, and other life difficulties. Each therapist has different areas of expertise. You can learn about our therapists by clicking the therapist link on the menu bar. This will help you determine which of our therapists best matches your needs. You can also call our office for additional information. We will be happy to answer all of your questions.
Our therapists are independent contractors and not employees of Strength for Change, LLC. Each therapist is independently licensed and insured and takes sole responsibility for their clients and the quality of care they provide.
Children age 5-10
Adolescents age 10-17
Adults age 18-75
YES – If you have out-of-network coverage, your insurance company will most likely reimburse you a percentage of the cost of services. Most of our clients are reimbursed 70%-80% of their out-of-pocket costs. As you pay at the time of each therapy session, you are given an insurance voucher with all the necessary information. You submit the voucher to your insurance provider, who reimburses you directly.
Reimbursement rates can vary greatly. We encourage you to speak with your insurance provider before your first scheduled therapy session to figure out the exact nature of your policy, the proper procedure for submitting claims, and the expected reimbursement rate.
NO – If you only have in-network coverage, your insurance company will NOT reimburse you for the cost of therapy. We are not members of any in-network insurance panels.
Some insurance companies do require pre-authorization for mental health services. If you have any concerns regarding your pre-authorization, we encourage you to speak to your insurance provider before you attend your first scheduled appointment.
Our fees vary among therapists and the services that are provided. Please call our office at (973) 668-9577 (ext. 1), and we will be happy to provide you with all the necessary information regarding our fees.
We accept cash, checks, and credit cards (Visa, Master Card, Discover, and American Express).
We aim to contact you within 24 hours of your first phone call and schedule your first appointment within 3-7 days.
How long are the therapy sessions?
The initial session is usually an hour; subsequent sessions are 45-60 minutes long.
How often do patients come for therapy?
Most patients attend therapy once a week. However, the frequency of therapy will vary depending on the nature of your difficulties and treatment goals. You and your therapist will decide the best session frequency for you.
How long does treatment last?
The length of treatment varies a great deal depending on many factors. Some life difficulties can be resolved in just a few sessions, while others take longer. You and your therapist will regularly discuss your progress and your readiness to graduate from treatment.
Do you have evening and weekend hours?
Yes, all our therapists have evening hours, and some are available on the weekend. We always try our best to accommodate your schedule.
What if I, or my child, needs to be evaluated for medication?
We do not prescribe medication. If you need medication, we will help you get those services from a qualified physician, psychiatrist, neurologist, or nurse practitioner.
How do I know if I need individual counseling or just an evaluation?
If you come in for treatment on your own accord, you and your therapist can determine which treatment services best meet your needs. If you are being mandated for services by your school, employer, or the legal system, then treatment will be determined by the nature of the mandate.
KP - Oct 23, 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️When I think of Bernie I smile! He helped me overcome my anxiety and to live my best life. I learned probably around 15 coping strategies from him. I use many of them almost every day. More importantly, he always made me feel understood and cared about. There is nothing that I couldn't talk to him about. He is the best!
What went well
- Appointment scheduling
- Listened & answered questions
- Explained conditions well
- Staff friendliness
- Appointment wasn't rushed
- Trusted the provider's decisions
KP - Oct 23, 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️3 years ago I was looking for a new therapist. I found Bernie online. I liked his website because he gave a lot of information about his treatment. What I experienced with Bernie was very much what he described on his website. He took the time to get to know me, explained what he thought was causing my problems and taught me how to cope. During the time I worked with Bernie I stopped partying, met my girlfriend and found a great job. I don't think any of that would have happened without him.
What went well
- Appointment scheduling
- Listened & answered questions
- Explained conditions well
- Staff friendliness
- Appointment wasn't rushed
- Trusted the provider's decisions
- Wait times
Jordan in New York, NY - Aug 01, 2017
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I've worked with Bernie for many years and can confidently say that therapy with Bernie has had an immeasurably positive impact on my life. Bernie has helped me work through anxiety, depression, relationship issues, organizational/motivational issues related to ADHD, and general life/change adjustments, and with his guidance I've learned to apply the techniques of cognitive behavioral therapy and intervention to everyday challenges. I highly recommend working with Bernie and Strength for Change.
What went well
- Appointment scheduling
- Listened & answered questions
- Explained conditions well
- Staff friendliness
- Appointment wasn't rushed
- Trusted the provider's decisions
- Wait times
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.
Mental Health Services
A Parent’s Guide To Understanding A Child’s Mental Health Difficulties & Obtaining Needed Services.
Centered Parenting
A Parenting Model for Effectively Managing a Child’s Difficult Behavior & Creating a Cooperative Family Environment.
Succeed Program
A Student Program For Learning The Organization, Homework, & Study Skills Necessary For School Success.
You can use the form on this page to send us a message. Please also feel free to call or email us anytime.
- sfcnewreferrals@gmail.com
- Mon - Sat: 8AM - 10PM
-
22 Howard Blvd STE 101
Mt. Arlington, NJ 07856 - (973) 668-9577
-
2035 Hamburg Turnpike STE G
Wayne, NJ 07470 - (973) 668-9577
