When the Past Lives in the Present
Trauma does not always look like a single defining event. It can be a childhood that asked too much, relationships that left marks, losses never fully grieved, or a life built around survival rather than thriving. The effects show up in the present — in emotional patterns that feel outsized, relational dynamics that repeat despite your best efforts, a nervous system that stays on guard, and protective strategies that come at the cost of connection, rest, or openness to life.
Our Approach to Trauma
Our clinicians work with children, teens, adults, couples, and families carrying the residue of adverse or overwhelming experiences, using modalities that go beyond symptom reduction. IFS helps you understand the protective parts that formed in response to difficulty. Psychodynamic therapy explores the patterns and defenses that continue to shape your life. Attachment-based approaches address how early relational experiences influence the way you connect and feel safe today — all at a pace that respects your capacity and autonomy.
What We Treat
We work with children, teens, adults, couples, and families navigating complex trauma, PTSD, childhood adversity, attachment wounds, and grief — including those who may not identify as “trauma survivors” but recognize that something from the past continues to shape how they feel and relate. Our outpatient practice is best suited for clients ready to engage in weekly care, whether beginning therapy or transitioning from a higher level of care into sustained clinical support.
We do not use EMDR. Our clinicians are trained in modalities, including IFS, psychodynamic therapy, and attachment-based approaches, that are well-suited to the kind of sustained, relational trauma work that unfolds over time.
Clinicians who work in this area
Chandni Patel
LCSW, LCADC
Accepting new clients
Jacob Ventricelli
LAC, NCC
Accepting new clientsPractices under clinical supervision
Andrew H. Kim
LCSW, LCADC
Waitlist for new clients
Dan Juengst
MSW, LSW
Waitlist for new clientsPractices under clinical supervision
Therapy Aligned is not a crisis service. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), or call 911 in an emergency.
Trauma Therapy in Metuchen and Online Across NJ
Sessions are available to children, teens, adults, couples, and families in person in Metuchen and virtually across New Jersey. Virtual sessions use secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth. We are in-network with Horizon BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare/Optum, Oscar, and Medicare, with self-pay options also available. If you have been carrying something heavy and are ready to begin understanding it rather than just managing it — we are here. You do not need to have it all figured out before you start.
What the Research Shows
Trauma is more common than many realize, and it can be worked through.
- • An estimated 6.8% of U.S. adults experience PTSD at some point in their lives. (NIMH)
- • 63.9% of U.S. adults report at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE), and 17.3% report four or more — a marker of the cumulative histories many clients carry into therapy. (CDC / BRFSS)
“You can get better with treatment.” — National Institute of Mental Health
