Finding a therapist who is the right fit for you can be a challenging task to say the least. Now, when you try to find an in-person therapist near you, it may be extra harder. A therapist in Hoboken can give you expert mental health advice as well as a space where you feel safe and genuinely supported as a client and human being. With many therapy options available, finding a therapist near me who aligns with your needs, such as your area of concern or type of therapy you are seeking, and schedule can feel stressful. Whether you are dealing with anxiety, career stress, relationship issues, trauma, or are simply seeking personal growth, mental health counseling can be a tool for powerful transformation and self-improvement.
Starting the search for the right therapist can seem daunting, particularly if you do not know where to start your therapist search or how to filter through your options of counselors. It can first be important to understand your own preferences when it comes to finding a psychotherapist, from specialization to treatment approach. Knowing what is most important to you will help make the search a little easier and ensure that you find a therapist that truly fits your needs. For extra support with this process, check out our blog “How to Find The Best Therapist Near Me.”
Anchor Therapy is a counseling center in Hoboken, NJ with mental health therapists specialized in helping children, teens, adults, couples, and families with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, life transitions, and more. Anchor Therapy is accepting new clients and is now providing in-person sessions and teletherapy sessions to residents of New Jersey, New York, and Florida.
What qualifications should I look for in an in-person therapist?
When you are looking for an in-person counselor, there can be many things to look for, such as a mental health counselor’s expertise, training, and approach to therapy.
First and foremost, you will want to make sure that the psychotherapist you found is licensed in your state of residency. This state licensure makes sure that your therapist has met the state’s standards for education, training, and experience.
Here are some common licensed professionals:
Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs)
Licensed Associate Counselors (LACs)
Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs)
Licensed Social Workers (LSWs)
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs)
Licensed Psychologists (Ph.D. or PsyD)
Contrary to popular belief, a single therapist does not specialize in many things. Think of a doctor for example. Would you go to a cardiologist for frequent headaches? Likely not. Just as you would not go to a therapist for anxiety if you are experiencing depressive symptoms. Different therapists specialize in different areas. Additionally, some therapists only work with specific populations of people. For example, some counselors only see children and teens while others specialize in adults, couples, families, and so on. Consider whether your desired psychotherapist specializes in your needs.
Additionally, many mental health counselors have training in specialized therapeutic approaches.
Some forms of therapy we offer at Anchor Therapy include:
Each mental health counselor has a unique approach to mental health treatment, and it is helpful to choose a therapeutic modality that aligns with your goals and even your comfort level with therapy. For example, some psychotherapists may take a solution-focused approach, such as SFBT, to help you find practical strategies for immediate concerns. On the other hand, you may want to work with a Psychodynamic therapist for example to reach long-term goals and to help you explore underlying issues at a deeper level.
Many mental health counselors incorporate holistic approaches into their work- this may include mindfulness or lifestyle counseling. This may especially resonate with you if you are looking for an integrative experience. Really knowing your therapist’s philosophy and approach is important since it can help you assure you that you and your counselor are on the same page about how to move forward in your therapy journey.
How to tell if a therapist is a good fit
Finding the right psychotherapist means that you have to have a good therapeutic relationship which will be central to meaningful growth and healing. The therapeutic relationship, also referred to as the therapeutic alliance, is a bond between a therapist and their client which is a foundation for effective counseling. For you to feel safe, understood, and motivated in therapy, you must share trust, collaboration, and mutual respect with your licensed mental health counselor.
The therapeutic alliance is so important that it is actually responsible for therapy outcomes. Research has shown that the therapeutic relationship accounts for 15% of the variance in adult psychotherapy outcomes.
Here are some key components of a healthy therapeutic relationship with an in-person therapist in Hoboken, New Jersey:
Empathy and understanding - Any effective mental health counselor is empathetic. Your therapist should strive to comprehend your perspective and experiences. When you receive this empathy, you should feel a sense of connection with your counselor where you feel valued and heard.
Trust and safety - To share the deeply intimate and vulnerable details of your life, you need to feel comfortable with your counselor and assured that there is zero judgment involved.
Collaboration - Collaboration empowers you to take an active role in your healing journey instead of passively relying on your psychotherapist. Through collaboration, you and your licensed mental health counselor will work together to set goals, explore solutions, and navigate challenges.
Respect for autonomy - A therapist can provide guidance but a good mental health counselor will always respect your autonomy and agency. You will feel encouraged to make decisions while building your self-confidence and fostering independence in yourself within and beyond the therapeutic environment. Read our blog “The Ultimate Guide to Building Self-Confidence” for more guidance.
Boundaries - Healthy boundaries with your psychotherapist can ensure that therapy is a safe space solely focused on bettering your well-being. Boundaries protect your therapeutic relationship. Check out our blog “6 Ways to Set Boundaries and Enforce Them.”
You should always feel heard and understood in therapy. A good therapist will actively listen to your concerns, empathize with your experiences, and validate your emotions. If you leave your therapy sessions feeling like your counselor truly understands you, that is a great sign that you found the perfect therapist for you. On the other hand, if you regularly feel judged or misunderstood by your counselor, you may want to rethink your case scenario.
Also, remember that boundaries work both ways. The counseling relationship is an intimate, yet professional one. Therapists should respect your limits on how much you want to share regarding a specific topic and not pressure you into discussing topics before you are ready to. If a counselor seems pushy or dismissive, that can be a red flag.
Therapy is a gradual process- magical change is not going to happen in a snap of your fingers. You should feel like you are making small, steady steps forward. Sometimes though, you may feel worse after a therapy session. Do not worry as this is completely normal! When you are discussing some of your most vulnerable moments of your life, it is normal and even expected to feel down. For help with this topic, our blog “Is It Normal To Feel Worse After A Therapy Session?” is a must-read. However, if over time, you do not sense any progress or movement, it can be worth it to have a conversation with your psychotherapist or possibly consider getting a new one.
Benefits of In-Person Counseling in Hoboken, New Jersey
In-person therapy offers a unique therapy experience, just as online counseling. If you are seeking emotional support, self-discovery, and healing, in-person counseling can be a great option for you. Both virtual and online therapy can offer great options for mental health care. In-person therapy can deepen your therapeutic connection and even enhance the effectiveness of mental health counseling.
Face-to-face interactions in counseling can allow you to build a stronger connection and rapport between you and your counselor. When you are physically present with your therapist, you can establish a sense of closeness and safety more quickly that may make you feel more comfortable opening up. In-person counseling also makes it easier for your counselor to pick up on non-verbal cues, like eye contact; body language; and facial expressions. Non-verbal expressions are important to build trust and empathy. A shared physical space with your counselor can create a comforting setting which helps you feel seen and heard in multiple ways.
Going along with that, in-person therapy can improve non-verbal communication. This may include shifts in posture, gestures, or expressions. Along with this, this may reveal underlying emotions. Non-verbal cues can deepen your counselor’s understanding of your feelings and experiences. In turn, you may even feel more understood by your counselor since they know your spoken and unspoken truths.
At Anchor Therapy, we offer in-person counseling sessions in our downtown Hoboken, New Jersey office, as well as virtual counseling. Our Hoboken haven offers a safe, quiet, and private space to promote reflection and focus. Unlike online therapy sessions, in-person therapy offers a controlled setting which minimizes outside distractions, such as technological difficulties or childcare issues. This allows you to be 100% present and focused in therapy. The consistency of the therapeutic space can create a routine which may reinforce your commitment to counseling.
Similarly, attending in-person counseling can help you establish a regular routine which reinforces your commitment to your own mental health. Physically traveling to your counselor’s office can become a part of your weekly routine and can even serve as a ritual where you mentally prepare yourself before engaging in difficult emotions and hard therapeutic work. Some clients appreciate the physical separation that in-person counseling offers. Your therapist’s office can be seen as its own place of healing and growth.
In-person counseling can also offer a stronger sense of confidentiality and privacy. Obviously, your therapist will always uphold their rules of confidentiality; however, in-person counseling can make certain that no one else in your household overhears your private counseling sessions. For example, when working with a virtual therapist, you may run into certain barriers, such as planning sessions when no one is home or using a noise machine to cover up the noise of your therapy sessions. With in-person counseling sessions, this is no longer a worry as you can now share openly with zero privacy concerns present. Generally, this can lessen your anxiety around confidentiality and encourage you to be more open with honest self-expression.
The physical act of attending therapy in your psychotherapist’s office encourages greater mindfulness and focus. Physically separating yourself from your daily environment, such as your home or office, can create a stronger mental commitment to the session and therapy itself overall. When you do not deal with technological glitches, internet lags, and/or notification interruptions, you and your therapist are less likely to encounter distractions. This can create a more grounded and immersive therapy experience where deeper introspection and growth is promoted.
Lastly, in-person therapy can also help you build a therapeutic routine where you engage more fully with your long-term growth and healing. The structured setting and established trust that you and your licensed mental health counselor build can create a lasting sense of safety and support. For many people, a consistent, in-person therapy routine becomes a stable space for your personal development. This helps you build skills and resilience to face challenges on your own over time.
Overall, while online therapy has brought greater accessibility and ease to mental health support, in-person therapy can offer you a unique and special opportunity to personally and actively engage in mental health counseling. In-person counseling can bring greater understanding to the complexity of your emotions, enhance the therapeutic bond, and offer a secure environment for growth. In-person counseling can be a deeply effective path to healing and growth.
In-person mental health counseling in Hoboken, New Jersey offers you an opportunity for a convenient and supportive way to receive mental health care in a welcoming, caring community. From individual counseling to family and couples counseling, Anchor Therapy offers it all! Enjoy our peaceful office space and waterfront views of New York City as you connect with one of our therapists face-to-face.
Victoria Scala
is the Social Media Manager, Intake Coordinator, and Community Engagement Director at Anchor Therapy in Hoboken, New Jersey. She is a graduate of the Honors College of Rutgers University-Newark and is currently studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the graduate level. In her roles, Victoria is committed to managing the office’s social media/community presence and prioritizing clients' needs.
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