I am Joshua B. Lerner, LCSW, BCD, FIPA Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Board Certified Diplomate, Fellow, International Psychoanalytic Association and I can help:

What brings you to consider going to psychotherapy. For most people they are feeling depressed, anxious, or having problems in a relationship. As I see it, therapy needs to provide a non-judgmental, accepting and supportive space to work on the problems one faces. I strive to treat each person as a unique individual, helping them to direct the treatment that will move them beyond the problems that they are now facing to a life that is hopefully more fulfilling and less painful. It is my aim to help each individual to deal with the issues that are affecting them and causing them the emotional pain that has lead them to seek psychotherapy. I try to truly listen to each person, to deal with them with respect and work with them as the unique individual that they are. No two people are the same and I do not provide a cookie cutter approach to the work that I do. Each person has his or her own needs, pains, strengths and issues that need addressing.

Patients have described me as 'caring, nurturing, gentle, and direct' as a therapist. Through psychotherapy, we can help make sense of what is feeling wrong, relieve your anxiety and depression; heal wounds, sadness and anger from relationships; grieve losses, and help you improve your self-esteem and regain your ability for closeness and intimacy.

I specialize in working with adults with depression or anxiety and difficulties in relationships and with children and adolescents with depression, anxiety, ADD/ADHD and behavioral difficulties. Too often the focus is exclusively on the symptoms and the underlying problems that give rise to them are ignored. In that situation, problems will resurface in a short time, as the causes for the difficulties have not been dealt with. While the symptoms obviously have to be addressed, I believe that all too often the causes for the difficulties are not addressed in short-term highly structured therapy. Psychotherapy needs to look at causes and not simply the overt symptoms.

During the 33 years that I have been in practice I have worked with individuals with a wide variety of difficulties. The issues have ranged from depression and anxiety to difficulties in relationships with spouses, friends, and children/parents. I have worked with suicidal individuals and with those facing crises in their home or work situations. I work with children and adolescents with a wide variety of difficulties from ADD/ADHD to oppositional behavior, depression and drug problems. As well I have specialized in treating individuals who suffer from PTSD, and histories of sexual and/or physical abuse. In other words, I work with the variety of problems that people develop as they live, work, grow and develop in our society.

I have a Masters in Clinical Social Work from the University of Michigan. Subsequently to this I studied for 8 years at the British Psychoanalytic Society/Institute of Psychoanalysis in London to become an Adult Psychoanalyst.

I also spent 4 years studying at The Anna Freud Centre In London in their Training program in Child and Adolescent Psychoanalysis. I am Board Certified and a Fellow of the International Psychoanalytic Association.

I provide Individual Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis with children, adolescents and adults. I also treat couples in Marital Therapy and work with families in Family Therapy.

I have practiced as a Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychotherapist, serving the people of Bergen County for years. I have experience with the differing and diverse population in this area and would like to be able to help you in your time of need.

In my work as a Marital Therapist I find that most couples are attempting to save their relationship and make it work. Try to imagine how your relationship was in the beginning. I will help you build on those feelings, so that you can find the love that you have lost.

I work with traditional and non traditional couples who are: dating, in long term relationships, living together, engaged, newly weds or couples who have been married for years.

Some people say to me "Are you in favor of saving the marriage?" My answer to them is:" Yes, as long as it is not physically and/or emotionally destructive to either of you." Relationships are one of the most important things in our lives and it's not always easy to get along with so many difficult situations that arise.

During my 33 years of being a marital therapist, I have learned that there are many things we can do to help couples with problems. I can teach you how to: improve communications; deal with emotional pain, and anger.

Together we can figure what has gone wrong and what it takes to rebuild your relationship. Not attempting to hide the problems, but instead facing them and working them through. I will help you to find answers to difficult problems in your relationship.