Monmouth Beach, NJ Local Support & Community Resources

Tara Arhakos is a compassionate Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in helping women reconnect with the hidden parts of themselves. She adeptly navigates the often-unseen roadblocks that hinder personal growth, guiding clients through the grieving and healing processes, particularly through inner child work and trauma-focused therapy. By working collaboratively, Tara empowers women to redefine their sense of self and rewrite the narrative of their past experiences. Her clients often envision feeling confident and enthusiastic as they transition into the next phase of life, learning to move past limitations and explore their true authentic selves in a safe, supportive environment. Tara brings a blend of skilled techniques and deep compassion to her sessions, while her creative, ‘out of the box’ methods often elicit laughter and a sense of camaraderie. Whether sitting on the floor with coffee in hand or moving around the room, Tara encourages clients to discover what ignites their passion and joy. With a commitment to fostering emotional safety and self-exploration, Tara Arhakos creates transformative therapeutic experiences for individuals embarking on their journey to healing and self-discovery.

Dr. James Battaglia, a dedicated psychologist with a PhD, specializes in supporting teens, adults, and elders facing challenges such as anxiety, relationship issues, and self-esteem concerns. His approach is deeply rooted in existential, gestalt, interpersonal, and humanistic modalities, allowing him to cater to the unique needs of each individual or group he encounters. With a genuine commitment to fostering personal growth and self-discovery, Dr. Battaglia creates a safe and nurturing environment where clients can explore their inner thoughts and feelings, guiding them on their journey to improved mental health and well-being.

Donna Strauss-Russo is a dedicated Clinical Social Worker and Therapist who believes in a holistic approach to mental wellness. At Connect Counseling & Wellness, she emphasizes the importance of building a healthy mind, body, and spirit. Donna and her team offer a range of services aimed at addressing diverse challenges, including anxiety, depression, stress, relationship issues, and self-esteem struggles. They work to help clients gain insight into themselves and foster solutions that lead to personal growth and happiness. In addition to individual, family, and couples counseling, they provide a variety of support groups tailored to men, women, teens, and specific issues like grief and cancer, as well as corporate training and LSW supervision. With a client base that spans executives, healthcare professionals, educators, first responders, veterans, and more, Donna's practice is inclusive and adaptive, serving individuals from all walks of life across their three locations in New Jersey.