Welcome

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Now Accepting New Clients

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Welcome ~ Now Accepting New Clients ~

Your Mental Health Matters

Welcome to the start of your mental health journey! Our provider, Michael Cruz, LMHC/LPC is eager to help you actualize the version of yourself that you deserve.

Meet Your Therapist

Hello There!

My name is Michael but you can also call me Cruz or even Mike. I am a licensed mental health counselor and licensed professional counselor (LMHC/LPC) with over 5 years of experience as a therapist based in NY & NJ.

I approach therapy with a unique integration of different therapeutic styles such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Emotions Focused Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy (tldr; I make sure therapy is uniquely suited for you)

The therapeutic work we will do together is trauma-informed, based in cultural humility, and active collaboration through a non-oppressive framework to help clients make sense of their experiences and reconnect with their most authentic selves.

There is no set way for you to do therapy correctly. Your individual process is valued and I am here to help.
— Michael Cruz, LMHC/LPC, Founder

Areas of Specialty

Wondering if we might be a good fit? While I would love to work and help out everyone, check out my areas of expertise which include but are not limited to the following:

If you are not seeing a presenting problem you are facing listed above, feel free to reach out to me and we can determine if we would be a good fit or if another provider would be better suited to help you on your healing journey :)

  • Anxiety is natural…but what happens when that anxiety becomes unbearable…potentially all-consuming and keeps us from living the life we desire. Clients experiencing general anxiety from daily stressors, chronic anxiety rooted in past trauma, panic symptoms and panic disorder, as well as social anxiety, can benefit from my unique blend of evidence-based and socially informed interventions

  • Find yourself feeling a decrease in life satisfaction and fulfillment, lack of motivation, thoughts you may have about not existing, difficulties getting out of bed and/or feeling stuck in life? I will work with you to explore these symptoms, process stressors, learn to identify and explore our emotions, thoughts, and behaviors and in turn learn new coping skills and strategies that will aim to reduce your symptoms.

  • Feeling stuck? Perhaps impulsive or even feeling like there is so much to do with little to no time or drive to do it? I’ll help you in making sure you works towards accountability and better control in your social, personal, and professional endeavors, helping you organize and stay on task while learning to understand what life entails living with ADHD.

  • I know this word carries a lot of weight, let’s break it down. Trauma is how overwhelming or distressing experiences are held in the body and mind, often shaping how we feel, think, and relate to others long after the event has passed. It can occur from a single life event or even a pattern of events over life causing deep emotional scars and at times intense physical and emotional symptoms. Healing begins when those experiences are understood with care, safety, and support.

Clients I Work With

All are welcome to work with me, regardless of identity and background. That being said I do regularly work with and specialize in serving the following populations:

  • Men (Individuals identifying as Man/Masculine)

  • LGBTQIA+ Folx

  • Latino/a/x

  • People of Color (BIPOC) & People of Global Majority (PGM)

  • Adults, Young Professionals, & College Students

  • Dating and relationships can sometimes feel confusing and at times leave us with uncertainty (will they text me?, how do they feel about me?, are we on the same page?, etc.). I curate a space where you will feel comfortable exploring dating and relationship concerns, explore your own values, reduce interpersonal conflict, learn about self-compassion, and gain skills allowing you to show up to your partner in ways that align with your intentions and goals. We will even learn dating styles, attachment theory, self-advocacy, and boundary setting!

  • Oh Boy, Freud would love this one! This six letter word carries so much meaning and can be hard to define. In therapy I welcome you to explore whatever family means to you (parents, siblings, friends, pet companions, etc.). Together we can explore familial relational dynamics, process intricacies and histories in your family, as well as all the nuances at whatever pace feels right for you.

  • Life is unpredictable, one day you are having the best day of your life and in another moment it feels like you can’t catch a break. So many things can come up in life such as new relationships, buying a new house or relocation to a new city, career changes, marriage, loss of a loved one, divorce, etc. Whatever you may be going through, I support my clients in processing their emotions to life’s various stressors and situations, helping you reframe thoughts, feelings, and behaviors ultimately helping you feel as though you don’t have to face it all alone.

  • Your relationship to your identities can change over life. Sometimes you might find yourself learning new information about yourself such as exploration of your sexuality, gender identity, or even how you conceptualize yourself in the context of race, ethnicity, religion, or ability. Wherever you find yourself on your journey, I’d be happy to explore with you.

Therapeutic Mission

My therapeutic mission is to help adults and young people learn to navigate their mental health concerns…especially those who have felt overlooked, misunderstood, or underserved by traditional systems of care.

In my therapeutic practice, I am committed to serving individuals from all walks of life with dignity and respect. I hold space for all identities regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, background, sexuality, gender, status, and ability. I welcome people of color, LGBTQ+ folks, survivors of abuse and all those navigating social challenges and life’s happenings.

My mission is to offer affirming, culturally responsive, evidence based, trauma-informed therapy that centers dignity, empowerment, and healing aiming to help clients reconnect with their voice, resilience, and sense of direction.

Contact Me

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Contact Me 〰️

I offer a FREE 15 minute consultation call to see if we’d be a good match! Fill out the form below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can to set up a time to chat or schedule an appointment.

*For more information about pricing, insurance coverage, and cost for different services please look into my FAQ