Upper Montclair, NJ Local Support & Community Resources

Grace Baumgarten is a dedicated Clinical Social Worker and therapist who has devoted over 42 years to helping individuals, couples, and families achieve greater happiness and fulfillment in their lives. Throughout her extensive career, she has worked with a diverse clientele, including teens, adults, and elders, addressing common challenges such as depression, anxiety, and relationship issues. She understands that many struggle with low self-esteem, work-related conflicts, and navigating the complexities of interpersonal relationships, especially within family dynamics. Grace’s approach is deeply personalized; she treats each client as a unique individual with their own story, carefully assessing their everyday functioning and emotional needs. Her goal is to empower clients by strengthening their ability to self-reflect and identify unproductive patterns in their behavior. By enhancing self-control and improving self-image, clients can foster healthier relationships. In her practice, Grace employs a variety of therapeutic modalities including Person-Centered, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychoanalytic, and Attachment-based approaches, tailoring her methods to the specific needs of each client. Her psychoanalytically informed assessments ensure that her interventions are both relevant and effective in facilitating growth and positive change. With a warm and empathetic demeanor, Grace Baumgarten is committed to guiding her clients towards setting and achieving meaningful goals in their personal and professional lives.

Gail Azar is a dedicated Licensed Professional Counselor with over 30 years of experience specializing in trauma and PTSD, anxiety, and parenting issues. She graduated from Nova Southeastern University in 1990 and has built a practice that prioritizes the fundamental human need to be truly heard. Gail creates a nurturing atmosphere of trust where clients feel free to share their most personal experiences without fear of judgment. Her extensive background includes working with individuals in crisis, survivors of abuse and trauma, and parents navigating challenges related to their children, divorce, separation, grief, and everyday life. As a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, she guides her clients to listen to their bodies and develop resources to effectively resolve trauma. Her experience as a registered play therapist informs her approach when addressing parental concerns, ensuring a comprehensive view of each client’s unique needs. Gail’s practice is characterized by a client-centered approach, viewing each person as an individual deserving of understanding and respect.

Dayna Bandman, LCSW, MA, believes that therapy is an empowering and affirming experience. She engages in an individualized and collaborative approach that utilizes a variety of techniques tailored to address her clients' unique concerns and situations. Creating an atmosphere of safety is paramount for Dayna, allowing for the exploration of difficult thoughts and feelings. Her active and empathetic engagement fosters a strong collaboration between therapist and client, which is essential for eliciting growth and change. With years of experience in clinical social work, she has witnessed how therapy can lead to profound growth, improved quality of life, and overall well-being. Through her work, Dayna supports individuals in becoming the fullest versions of themselves and pursuing the lives they desire. She focuses on helping those grappling with relationship issues, whether they involve romantic partners, parenting dynamics, or friendships. Dayna strongly believes that the way people relate to one another significantly impacts their self-esteem and overall emotional health. Therapy, for her, is centered on enhancing the meaningful relationships in our lives. Establishing a trusting therapeutic relationship is a crucial component of her process. Through collaborative insight, clients experience transformative change, ultimately leading to a more enriched and fulfilling life.