Introducing Licensed Associate Counselor Ronieka Thomas in Parsippany & Lyndhurst, NJ
Specialties: Including but not limited to: Addiction, ADHD, Adoption, Alcohol Abuse, Alzheimer's, Anger Management, Antisocial Personality, Anxiety, Asperger's Syndrome, Autism, Behavioral Issues, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality, Career Counseling, Child or Adolescent, Chronic Illness, Chronic Impulsivity, Chronic Pain, Chronic Relapse, Codependency, Coping Skills, Depression, Developmental Disorders, Divorce, Domestic Abuse, Domestic Violence, Drug Abuse, Dual Diagnosis, Eating Disorders, Emotional Disturbance, Family Conflict, Gambling, Grief, Hoarding, Infertility, Infidelity, Intellectual Disability, Internet Addiction, Learning Disabilities, Life Coaching, Life Transitions, Marital and Premarital, Medical Detox, Medication Management, Narcissistic Personality, Obesity, Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD), Oppositional Defiance, Parenting, Peer Relationships, Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum, Racial Identity, Relationship Issues, School Issues, Self Esteem, Self-Harming, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Addiction, Sleep or Insomnia, Spirituality, Sports Performance, Stress, Substance Abuse, Suicidal Ideation, Teen Violence, Testing and Evaluation, Transgender, Trauma and PTSD, Video Game Addiction, Weight Loss, Women's Issues
Education and Experience:I earned my bachelor’s degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and my minor in American Sign Language from Kean University in 2013. I began my graduate school experience with Applied Behavior Analysis. However, after the untimely passing of two crucial family members, I found myself wondering how people dealt with grief, loss, adversity, and other major life influencers. I changed my graduate path into counseling and never looked back since. I fell into love with helping others work through difficult times in their life and reach the personal goals they established for themselves. After graduating, I worked in two alternative therapeutic schools for students, ranging from Pre-K to post-Secondary, with behavioral and emotional disturbances. After that, I transitioned into public education, where I have been for the last two years and my top priority is to provide counseling services to the elementary and middle school students to facilitate academic, social, and emotional success as well as provide crisis intervention and management when needed. I assist students with their goal-setting and decision- making skills, help develop effective and age-appropriate behavior patterns, improve communication and problem-solving skills, establish suitable and non-violent conflict resolution skills, teach college/career awareness and exploration, do academic planning and help implement referrals for outside services. I also educate and provide transitional skills to help in preparation for thriving in their community.
Counseling Philosophy:My personal and professional philosophy very much aligns with the inner vision most hold for themselves. Just as it is one’s objective tohave the tools to thrive in our ever-changing world, I believe in creating challenging and inspirational opportunities that promote intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth for all individuals. I believe in showing people that they can achieve anything that they put their minds and energy to. Too often, people hear that they “are not good at that” or “not smart enough for that”. When I hear that, I think “that person is not good at that YET”. As people, we are both intrinsically and extrinsically encouraged and motivated to follow and achieve our goals. Some need a little more motivation and encouragement, along with a lot of love and dedication. I am so lucky to work in an environment in which it is the staff’s responsibility in fostering such characteristics in a collaborative effort, such as with Portrait Health Center.
FunFacts and Hobbies:I am incredibly devoted to people and I am ridiculously dedicated to any cause I attach myself to. Even when not many others can see the point of sticking out a seemingly futile situation, I always find myself striving to hold on to make even the slightest of a difference for a better outcome. I don’t believe in giving up. I am a huge reader and love the classics. I have read Dante’s Divine Comedy in every English translation and especially love thriller novels. I enjoy listening to all types of music, bike riding, crocheting/knitting (very new at this), and exploring new trails. I’m also starting to become a movie lover, so I enjoy watching movies (old, new and international).
Counseling Philosophy:My personal and professional philosophy very much aligns with the inner vision most hold for themselves. Just as it is one’s objective tohave the tools to thrive in our ever-changing world, I believe in creating challenging and inspirational opportunities that promote intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth for all individuals. I believe in showing people that they can achieve anything that they put their minds and energy to. Too often, people hear that they “are not good at that” or “not smart enough for that”. When I hear that, I think “that person is not good at that YET”. As people, we are both intrinsically and extrinsically encouraged and motivated to follow and achieve our goals. Some need a little more motivation and encouragement, along with a lot of love and dedication. I am so lucky to work in an environment in which it is the staff’s responsibility in fostering such characteristics in a collaborative effort, such as with Portrait Health Center.
FunFacts and Hobbies:I am incredibly devoted to people and I am ridiculously dedicated to any cause I attach myself to. Even when not many others can see the point of sticking out a seemingly futile situation, I always find myself striving to hold on to make even the slightest of a difference for a better outcome. I don’t believe in giving up. I am a huge reader and love the classics. I have read Dante’s Divine Comedy in every English translation and especially love thriller novels. I enjoy listening to all types of music, bike riding, crocheting/knitting (very new at this), and exploring new trails. I’m also starting to become a movie lover, so I enjoy watching movies (old, new and international).
|
Specialties
Issues:
|
Mental Health:
Client Focus Age:
Treatment Approach Treatment Orientation:
Accepted Insurance Plans:
|