Introducing Licensed Associate Counselor, Heather Winder, in Freehold, NJ!

Specialties: ADHD, Academic Underachievement, Adoption, Anger Management, Anxiety, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Behavioral Issues, Borderline Personality, Career Counseling, Child and Adolescent, Chronic Impulsivity, Codependency, Depression, Developmental Disorders, Divorce, Domestic Abuse, Domestic Violence, Dual Diagnosis, Eating Disorders, Emotional Disturbance, Family Conflict, Grief, Infertility, Infidelity, Intellectual Disability, Internet Addiction, Learning Disabilities, Life Coaching, Marital and Premarital, Men's Issues, Narcissistic Personality, Obesity, Oppositional Defiance, Parenting, Peer Relationships, Racial Identity, Relationship Issues, Self-Esteem, Self-Harming, Sleep or Insomnia, Spirituality, Suicidal Ideation, Teen Violence, Video Game Addiction, Weight Loss, Women's Issues, Impulse Control Disorders, Mood Disorders, Personality Disorders, Bisexual Issues, Gay Issues, Lesbian Issues, Transgender Identity

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I graduated with my masters in clinical mental health counseling from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. My experience is primarily with children and adolescents ages 4 to 18; however, I also work closely with parents and families to ensure a holistic approach to counseling.  Throughout my time as a counselor I have partnered with clients, families and schools to ensure that the client is receiving the best care possible. I am passionate about helping young people gain lifelong skills that can prepare them for their bright futures. One of the most encouraging ways to help a young person learn skills is through peer modeling and group counseling. Groups are an encouraging way to help individuals feel like they are not alone in their journey. 
 
As a counselor I believe in pulling from a few schools of thought to ensure that the client receives the therapy they need. With preteens, adolescents, and adults I primarily take a person-centered approach by providing clients with a judgement free space to explore and navigate towards their own successes. As a counselor I do this by supporting the client and providing them with a safe space to engage difficult topics. A significant part of my counseling work centers around self-care. Helping clients to find ways of helping themselves to relax and care for themselves, so they are prepared to care for others. With children I use a multitude of techniques to meet the child at their developmental level. Often adults rush children into activities or ideas that they are not prepared to handle. I take a different approach in giving the child a voice and choice in the way they learn new skills. This may be through play therapy techniques, storytelling, and many other children friendly approaches. 
 
I practice self-care in a variety of ways in my personal life. I am an avid gardener, both flowers and vegetables. In my free time I like working with my hands, creating gifts for others -knitting blankets and wood burning to name a few- and of course digging in the dirt. The garden is my meditation, happy place that always washes a feeling of calm over me. What's your calming place?

Schedule an Appointment

Portrait Health Centers 
3499 Route 9, Suite 2C - Room 7
Freehold, New Jersey 07728
P: (732) 982-2888