Find a Top Psychiatrist Near Me in Jersey City, NJ – Book an Appointment Instantly

Life can be chaotic, challenging and heartbreaking, but among all of that, beautiful and awe-inspiring. If you’re reading this, maybe you’ve already read a few of these therapist bios by now, but if you’re feeling alone in life’s big questions then look no further. I take a curious, yet “no-B.S.” stance as we explore life’s intricacies and curve-balls together in the therapeutic process. My experience with adolescents, emerging adults and older adults has helped me create a flexible approach to meet my clients where they’re at. Whether I am working with you, your child, or your family, I strive to create a judgment-free zone for my clients to experience the most authentic version of themselves.

I lean on a client-centered approach, meaning that I give my clients the space to be the expert in their own lives. Through mindfulness and dialectical behavioral therapy, I help my clients to practice gaining distance from overwhelming thoughts, feelings and emotions. That being said, I recognize that there is no “one size fits all” approach and I collaborate with my clients along every step of the journey. Showing up to therapy isn’t always easy, and I value the courage and vulnerability that it takes to invite someone into your inner world.

Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, loneliness, OCD, depression, grief, heartbreak, or a case of “what does it all mean” you won’t be at it alone. Much like the contradictions we encounter in life, the work we will do together will be challenging yet rewarding. 

I’m currently accepting both virtual and in-person sessions and look forward to hearing from you! 

My vision of therapy is captured by a quote by Ram Dass; “We’re all just walking each other home.”

This “home” is a knowing; a peace and sense of safety and security within ourselves and within the world around us. While this journey home is beautiful and unique, at times, it can be treacherous and lonely, as we all face obstacles and barriers along the way. As your therapist, I see myself as your guide – someone to help you identify, navigate, and overcome whatever obstacles you face on your journey.

Using an integrative approach, I blend more traditional psychodynamic and relational therapies with evidence-based modalities, including but not limited to, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy. I am specially trained in trauma-informed approaches, as well as early child development. I use attachment and play-based approaches to help arm new and current parents with insights and techniques to tackle the challenges of parenting children with and without developmental differences and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

I work with adults to address anxiety, depression, relationship issues, body image and self-esteem, life transitions, trauma, social and work place challenges, and postpartum and perinatal issues. My style is warm, compassionate, and affirming; however, I challenge my clients as well. I can walk your path with you but not for you. Together we can help you realize, grow, and learn to utilize your own internal strengths and innate resilience as you make your way home.

*Virtual only

I take an integrative approach to therapy, providing affirming, non-judgmental care and work with clients to achieve their goals and navigate life’s challenges with empowerment.

I believe that growth and well-being come from the work of learning to understand ourselves in new and deeper ways that allow us to reflect on the impact of our world and the intersectionality of our unique identities.  Our therapeutic relationship is built collaboratively and creates a space that supports an accepting, inclusive, non-judgmental and trusting environment where, together, we will explore and gain new insights into you - empowering you in your daily life, while fostering personal growth and well-being. My work is person-centered, holistic, and takes an integrative approach, informed by neuroscience, attachment theory, somatic work and trauma-informed modalities.

I work with individuals, couples and alternative relationship structures, informed by my work with kink/BDSM, ENM/CNM, poly, queer/non-straight, and GNC communities. Topics to touch upon in therapy can include anxiety, low mood and depression, life stressors and transitions, family challenges, relationship challenges, attachment injuries, maladaptive coping, LGBTQIA+ challenges, difficulties with loneliness and isolation, sexual challenges, intimacy issues, dating, ENM/CNM and polyamory, difficulties with communication, codependency, grief and trauma.

** Lily is available for both virtual and in-person sessions!

The society we live in doesn't always suit our needs and it can be enough to create a great deal of anxiety in anyone. We don't all think the same way or walk the same path, and we are learning more and more how diverse our brains and experiences can be. A society which is tailored to fit the needs of few can be traumatizing for those who think differently. 

I deeply value the rapport we can build together, and would feel honored and humbled if you shared your story with me. Meeting you where your journey is now, I support and encourage all communication styles, individual ways of thinking, and all varieties of emotional expression in therapy. With your permission, allow me to listen and help as you develop your own understanding in your own words. We can map where you want your path to take you next and what tools can help along the way. 

Seeing so many struggle to meet their needs under the burdens which modern life imposes on us all, I was drawn to therapy with a lens for consent, justice, and equity. I am experienced at working with clients who may be new to therapy, and I go through what to expect and I ask for consent before opening up any traumatic memories.  It takes more than just our minds to process anxiety, depression, or trauma which we feel in our heart and body. We can do grounding exercises together in session to help your body process what you are feeling so it can be released.

I want to be there for you to find your way of being your authentic self while navigating social pressures. 

To make sure I meet your needs, I offer 15 minute meet and greet consultations by phone or video call, to see if I am a good fit for you. I want you to have a therapist who you click with and who understands you. Please email me to schedule a consultation if you are curious or interested.

I think therapy benefits from an attitude of kindness and curiosity. Approaching exploration of yourself in a nonjudgmental and open manner can make it easier to increase your understanding of yourself. This understanding can create comfort and/or create grounds to make change.

My approach to therapy utilizes a narrative framework to explore what stories or perspectives are creating your reality. We can collaboratively examine which narratives feel most appropriate to prioritize exploring, based on factors like which ones are most distressing, interesting, or impactful.

Understanding a narrative that serves you and gives you strength can give you the knowledge to reinforce that presence in your life. Understanding a narrative that causes you strife, gives you an understanding of where your troubles are coming from, allowing you to choose to act and perceive otherwise. Together, we can explore and build your framework of narratives.

I offer an affirming, warm, compassionate therapy style for teens and adults who are experiencing a range of issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, as well as with individuals with special needs and their loved ones. I integrate cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), relational therapy, and trauma-informed care to help my clients gain insight, develop coping strategies, and achieve personal goals.

I have a particular interest in treating college students and young adults who are in a transitional or chaotic stage in their lives. I use an empathic and pragmatic approach in my work to help people gain access to negative thoughts and emotions. I prioritize a client-centered approach, where I adapt therapeutic interventions to meet your unique goals and needs based upon how you want to evolve.

My belief is that we all have the strength to overcome and grow through life’s challenges, even when they seem impossible to overcome. I am passionate about de-stigmatizing mental health care and building strong, long-term relationships with clients in order to join them on their healing journey. I view therapy as a partnership and look forward to getting to know you.

*Available for virtual and in office sessions!

While our personal histories may inform our current struggles, it does not define who we are, or who we may become.

I use an integrative, client-centered approach and believe strongly in the power of self-efficacy, attachment theory, developmental psychology, family systems and neuroscience. I guide my practice with trauma-informed care, and I assist clients in developing their unique resilience story. This begins with relational connection, warmth, and radical self-acceptance co-created in the therapeutic environment. 

I have completed training in EMDR and utilize this in my practice as a unique and integrative tool to assist clients in achieving deep healing. I have helped both adolescent and adult clients with anxiety-based disorders including but not limited to; generalized anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and eating disorders.

Using empathy, acceptance, compassion, humour and transparency I aim to create a secure environment for clients to develop and explore their unique self. Having a background in dance, I strongly believe in the importance of mind-body connection and its impact on emotional experience. I invite clients to join me in co-creating an atmosphere of understanding where growth and emotional resilience develops, leading to a life of wholeness and personal fulfillment.

*Available for in-person and virtual sessions

My therapeutic approach is grounded in the idea of a deep connection between the mind and the physical body, and the intrinsic ability in all people to heal, grow, and make positive change through the transformative power of their own mind. This ideology is informed by my time at Columbia University’s Spirituality Mind Body Institute, where I received my Master’s in Clinical Psychology and Spirituality. There I learned the science of mindfulness and the ways in which our thought patterns are capable of both positively and negatively effecting not only one’s emotional/ mental state but the physical body as well. 

I specialize in working with individuals who have experienced/experience trauma, anxiety, depression, and OCD, and help clients work through the impact these issues can have on their interpersonal relationships, career, social life, motivation, and sense of self. I also work with clients experiencing dating, relationship, and intimacy issues. 

In my practice I utilize a wide range of therapeutic techniques, and appreciate the benefit of integrating traditional psychotherapeutic modalities with less traditional methods which utilize my alternative background. I have training in CBT, DBT, mindfulness and meditation, the Alexander Technique from Ted Dimon, founder of the Dimon Institute, and trauma-informed therapy from Dr. Bessel van der Kolk’s Trauma Research Foundation.

As a therapist I believe that everyone is on a unique path and journey towards self-actualization, therefore there is no real textbook approach to therapy.  As a clinician I make space for the individual and prioritize fostering a safe, open, empathic, and flexible environment for my clients to explore, navigate, and better comprehend both their inner and outer worlds. I show up for my clients with compassion and non-judgment, and perhaps more importantly, I encourage my clients to show up for themselves with the same compassion and non-judgment.

Whether you’re new to therapy or have been in therapy for many years, I will work with you toward reaching your goals, getting “unstuck,” and gaining a better understanding of yourself and your interpersonal relationships.

No matter where you are on your path, I’m here to support you in cultivating the inner and outer world you seek! 

I am currently accepting clients for both virtual and in-person sessions.

My clinical perspective is integrative, humanistic, and highly individualized. My goal is to guide each of my clients in creating a compassionate, authentic, and agentic voice that enables you to lead the life you envision for yourself.

My style is warm, interactive, and collaborative. I work with individuals and couples using holistic, innovative, and progressive clinical approaches that suit your unique needs. I have advanced training and experience in evidence-based techniques that address trauma, relationships, negative emotions, low self-esteem, grief, life transitions, and much more.

I am an LGBTQIA-affirming, anti-oppressive, inclusive, and social justice-oriented therapist who recognizes the diversity and uniqueness of all people. I am clinically licensed and accepting patients in both NY and MA!

*Virtual only."

Sometimes the best way out of the darkness is to have a companion illuminate the path in front of you. My role as your therapist is to be that person, and to hold that light as we journey out of the darkness and onto the path of healing and growth together.

I am a fundamentally empathetic and compassionate person, with a deep appreciation for the strength, resilience, and wisdom in all of us. I operate from an anti-oppressive, trauma-informed lens that integrates behavioral and psychodynamic therapies to treat anxiety, depression, self-esteem, life transitions, stress, insomnia & complex trauma.

We are all a work in progress, and therapy provides the unique opportunity to press the pause button, remain present and safely work towards uncovering whatever barriers are keeping us stuck. Together, we can holistically explore how you got here, and how to move forward to achieve the life you want on your own terms.

Our work together will help you find the innate resources and strengths that you need to gain insight into what is getting in your way, so that you can restore balance, harmony, and health to your life. My style is warm, non-judgmental, and highly interactive— no subject, thought, or emotion is barred from talking about. I use a non-pathologizing approach that is affirming and strengths-based. I am sex-positive and LGBTQ-affirming, and I recognize that all individuals are situated within the larger social and political context of their lives. Together, we will help you build self-awareness and emotional flexibility to create space for positive changes. We'll help you gain insight into how the past shaped you, shift whatever isn't working, and release what isn't serving you so you can get what you want in life. I work with adults, millennials and teens struggling with relationship and attachment issues, anxiety, depression, major life transitions, toxic family patterns, family dysfunction, poor boundary setting, work-life balance issues, burnout, identity building, chronic somatic distress, chronic illness, intergenerational trauma, and sexuality.

I utilize a variety of techniques to help you discover not only how the past is impacting you today, but also how we can alter recurring thoughts, behaviors, and patterns that are holding you back. My work is holistic and integrative, and honors all of the interrelated facets of well-being: the physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional. My practice is informed by psychodynamic psychotherapy, mindfulness and imagery techniques, somatic work, cognitive behavioral therapy, attachment-based therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy, and my background in the creative arts. Our work will help you build greater self-awareness and emotional flexibility to create space for positive changes in your life, both tangible and energetic. As our sessions progress, we will get to the core of where certain patterns come from and why they are getting in your way. Our work will help you identify distorted thinking, modify beliefs, change behavior, and relate to yourself and others in a way that helps you build an authentic, integrated whole, resilient, and gratifying sense of self.

*Virtual only

I work with clients to build insight and skills that help to clarify challenges and maximize joy. Whether you're transitioning into a different phase of life or feeling stuck (hello, pandemic!), I will meet you there with curiosity and compassion. Together, we'll use a variety of techniques to identify both the barriers and the opportunities to lead the kind of life you want. While there is great strength in practicing healthy coping, self-care, and positive self-talk, I know that this is often much easier said than done! Sometimes we just need help developing, prioritizing and applying these skills and awareness in our daily lives.

This is especially true for new parents who find themselves thinking new thoughts and feeling new feelings along the journey of hoping for, planning and growing a family. I'm here to help. I specialize in working with adults who are experiencing perfectionism, anxiety, depression, loss, and work-life balance issues, particularly during the perinatal period.

If these hopes and experiences resonate with you, I encourage you to connect with me for meaningful and personalized support. I look forward to our work together!

At her private psychiatry practice on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City, Eileen DiFrancesco, MD, cares for people ages 12 and older in a welcoming, compassionate setting. 

Dr. DiFrancesco is a skilled, board-certified psychiatrist who also specializes in neurology. She takes a traditional, integrative approach to treating patients for common mental health conditions. Her philosophy is that a healthy brain is key for well-being, balance, and optimal functioning. Making an accurate diagnosis is the most important first step in treating patients. Treatment must be tailored to the needs of each individual. She recognizes that both genetics and environment contribute to mental health and illness; genetics predispose individuals to certain mental disorders; however, parenting, peer integration, environment, and life experiences all factor in to determine the outcome. An assessment of all of these factors is used to create a treatment plan for each individual.

She graduated with honors with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Dr. DiFrancesco received her medical degree at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia, where she had additional training in neurology and psychology. 

She completed residency training at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. Afterward, she worked as a medical director of the Learning Laboratory, a private facility in Connecticut.

Dr. DiFrancesco specializes in diagnosing and treating addictions, depression, bipolar disorder and other mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). She also has expertise in treating sexual dysfunction, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and sleep disorders, as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in adults and children.

Dr. DiFrancesco offers comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, genetic testing, brain imaging, psychotherapy, and more. As part of her consultative services, she provides a complete analysis of a patient’s brain health to minimize environmental and genetic contributors to mental illnesses. As a medical doctor specializing in psychiatry and psychopharmacology, Dr. DiFrancesco is able to prescribe medication for mental disorders. The decision to medicate a patient is very serious and requires an intensive understanding of the individual and the underlying neurobiology. 

Dr. DiFrancesco is active in her community and has received many awards for outstanding leadership and commitment to the psychiatry profession. She’s an honored member of the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP). 

She received Top Doctor of the Year in Psychiatry and Neurology, Top Female Visionary of the Year, Top Female Executive and has been featured in Top Industry Professionals Magazine, Humanitarian of the Year, Top Doctor of the Year, Top 10 Doctor by State, Patients’ Choice Award, Most Compassionate Doctor Award, Outstanding Professional of the Year, and many other esteemed lists.

Dr. DiFrancesco is also a lifetime member of America’s Registry of Outstanding Professionals based on achievement, leadership, and dedication to her profession. 

Schedule an evaluation with Eileen DiFrancesco, MD, by phone or request one online today.