If you’re reading this, then there is a good chance that you may be struggling or hurting (or trying to help someone who is). I’m sorry that you are in that space and I will do my absolute best to support you (and walk beside you) in your journey. I am a firm believer in being open and forth coming. If something doesn’t work for you – tell me and we can work to solve it. I appreciate a therapeutic relationship built on trust and honesty. If either one of us is lost, confused or concerned, then we discuss it and figure it out. A little bit about me (just so folks know that I’m both a genuine person and that I have the experience and knowledge to do this work): I graduated from Temple University with my Master’s Degree in Social work. I studied cognitive behavioral therapy, addiction counseling, rational emotive behavioral therapy, EMDR, motivational interviewing, and most importantly I studied Gestalt Therapy at the Gestalt Institute of Philadelphia for three years. (I’m also happy to give you a somewhat concise description of Gestalt Therapy because it is a bit ambiguous.) I teach part time at both Rutgers University and Camden County College. I have extensive experience providing trauma counseling (both individual and group) to survivors of sexual assault from multiple backgrounds. I value my family and the awesome relationships I have with my friends and support people in my life. I have done a significant amount of work on my healing from trauma, and I use my experience not a measure of comparison but rather as a source of internal strength. I am proud of my well-earned accomplishments, and I work hard to learn from the things that I have screwed up (there’s plenty of them). I live in New Jersey, enjoy the outdoors, running, cycling, pina coladas and getting caught in the rain (I also tend to have a sarcastic sense of humor). One caveat is that as a social worker and a therapist: I fall very far to the side that I believe that our society has oppressed and harmed many groups of individuals. I believe that it is our responsibility not just as individuals but also as therapists to actively support those who have been harmed by racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia, ableism and anti-Semitism. So while I believe that providing culturally responsive care is essential, I go beyond that to see part of my responsibility is to work to undo that harm that has been done. Finally, I encourage you to contact me to find out more about me before you make your decision. I am happy to answer questions you may have and give you an opportunity to find out more about me to make sure I am the right person for you. Brian Colangelo (He/Him/His)