Therapy New Jersey Residents Rely On
Finding therapy New Jersey families can trust should not feel like a second job. At Working Towards a Brighter Future, licensed therapists offer ten services for children, teens, adults, couples and families. You can meet us in person at our Maplewood office or online through secure telehealth. Not sure where to begin? Call (347) 972-5221 and we will help you choose.
Licensed clinicians · In person and telehealth · Trauma-informed care · 501(c)(3) nonprofit
What Types of Therapy in New Jersey Do We Offer?
We offer ten services: individual therapy, family and couples counseling, group therapy, trauma-informed therapy, youth and adolescent services, substance use treatment, anger management, clinical assessments, life coaching and divorce mediation. Eight are clinical care from licensed professionals. Life coaching and divorce mediation are separate, non-clinical services. Every one is available by telehealth. That is the full range of therapy in New Jersey under one roof, so you do not repeat your story.
Individual Therapy
Private, one-on-one therapy for anxiety, depression, stress, grief and life changes.
Family and Couples Counseling
Better communication, rebuilt trust and calmer homes.
Divorce Mediation (non-clinical)
Non-clinical. A private, voluntary way to reach fair agreements with a neutral mediator.
Group Therapy
Clinician-led groups that build skills and peer support.
Life Coaching (non-clinical)
Non-clinical. Goal-focused coaching for work, confidence and personal growth.
Substance Use and Addiction Treatment
Nonjudgmental, recovery-focused care that also looks at mental health.
Anger Management
Learn your triggers and build calmer ways to respond.
Trauma-Informed Therapy
Paced, safe care for trauma, PTSD symptoms and grief, including EMDR when appropriate.
Youth and Adolescent Services
Age-appropriate counseling for children and teens, with caregivers involved.
Clinical Assessments and Evaluations
Structured evaluations with clear findings and treatment recommendations.
Which Service Is Right for You or Your Family?
Start with what you feel most. If the weight is personal, begin with individual therapy. If it sits between people, try family or couples counseling. For a child or teen, choose youth services. Still unsure? Call us. We listen first, then help you pick, and you can change course later.
How Do Our Counseling Services in New Jersey Work?
Reach out
Call us or send the appointment form. We reply during business hours, Monday to Friday.
Talk it through
We ask what brought you in and what you hope will change.
Meet your clinician
We match you with a licensed therapist who fits your needs.
Start your first session
You set goals together and agree on a plan.
Review your progress
Your plan changes as you grow.
What Is Our Approach to Evidence-Based Treatment?
Evidence-based treatment means using methods that research supports, then fitting them to you. Your clinician may draw on cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, DBT-informed skills, mindfulness and, for trauma, EMDR when it is clinically appropriate. Your treatment plan is built with you, not handed to you. Our evidence-based treatment in New Jersey also rests on clear standards of care.
Confidential sessions
Private, within the limits the law sets.
Telehealth is never recorded
We confirm your location and an emergency contact first.
Your consent, your choice
You can withdraw consent at any time. Young people aged 14 and older sign their own release.
We check in
You get calls during your care and a final call or letter when services end.
Where Can You Meet Us, in Maplewood or Online?
Our main office is at 1585 Springfield Avenue, Suite 2, Maplewood, NJ 07040. We are open Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The parking lot has wheelchair-accessible spaces, and appointments are recommended. The office sits near Maplewood Village, Memorial Park and the NJ Transit Maplewood station on Dunnell Road. Many clients also join from other parts of Essex County by video.
Prefer home? Secure telehealth is available in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Texas and Oregon, based on clinical fit and your clinician's license. That makes mental health therapy New Jersey adults and teens need easier to reach, wherever life is busy.
Which Insurance Plans Do We Accept?
We accept many major plans, and the list depends on the state where you live. Coverage depends on your plan and the service, so please confirm your benefits with your insurer. Call (347) 972-5221 if you do not see your plan.
New Jersey
Medicaid NJ, Horizon NJ Health, BCBS NJ, Aetna, First Health, Optum, GEHA, Oscar, Cigna/Evernorth, Amerihealth and Medicare.
Pennsylvania
Aetna, First Health, Cigna/Evernorth, Optum and Oscar.
Maryland
Aetna, Cigna/Evernorth, First Health, Optum and Oscar Health.
New York
Oscar, Aetna, Evernorth and First Health.
Texas
Aetna, First Health and Cigna/Evernorth.
Oregon
Aetna and First Health.
Who Are the Clinicians Behind Our Care?
Dr. Sheena Smith, Ed.D., LPC, LCADC, CLC
Founder and lead clinician with more than 15 years of experience in youth, family, addiction and mental health care.
Sravya Gummaluri
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Parent Coach.
Monica Rios
Multilingual Licensed Professional Counselor and Parent Coach.
What Do Clients Say About Working With Us?
★★★★★
"My therapist is kind, patient, and really listens, making it easy to open up."
★★★★★
"The staff is both professional and knowledgeable that provides a sense of ease."
★★★★★
"She's wonderful with my son and our family."
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Services
Quick answers are below. If you need something else, send us a message and we will reply during business hours.
What kinds of therapy do you offer?
We offer individual, family and couples, group, trauma-informed, youth and adolescent, substance use, anger management, clinical assessments, life coaching and divorce mediation. Each service has its own page with details. Eight are clinical care and two are non-clinical, and all are available online.
How do I know which service I need?
Think about where the stress shows up: in you, between people, or in a child. That points to a starting service. If you are unsure, call (347) 972-5221. We listen first, help you choose, and you can switch services later as your needs change.
Can I combine services?
Often, yes. A client in individual therapy may also join a group, or a parent may pair family counseling with youth services. Your clinician talks through what fits your treatment plan and keeps each service clear, so nothing feels duplicated or rushed.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes. We accept plans from Aetna, First Health and other insurers, and the list depends on your state. In New Jersey we also take Medicaid NJ, Horizon NJ Health, BCBS NJ, Medicare and more. See the list above, or call (347) 972-5221 to confirm your plan.
Do you offer services online?
Yes. All ten services are available by secure telehealth where clinically appropriate and where your location and your clinician's license allow it. We confirm what applies before your first session. If you prefer a quiet room away from home, in-person care is also available at our Maplewood office.
Which areas do you serve?
We meet clients in person in Maplewood and across Essex County. By telehealth, we serve New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Texas and Oregon, based on clinical fit and clinician licensure. Call us, and we will confirm availability for your location before you book.
What if I am in a crisis?
We are not a crisis service. If you or someone else is in danger, call or text 988 or call 911. Once you are safe, we are here to help you take the next step toward care that fits you.
Request Your Appointment
Tell us a little about what you need. We will call you back during office hours.
Please do not share urgent or sensitive details here. In a crisis, call or text 988 or call 911.
Ready to Begin Therapy New Jersey Families Count On?
You have taken the hard step by reading this far. Our licensed team is ready to listen. Request an appointment online or call (347) 972-5221 and take the first step toward a brighter future.
Working Towards a Brighter Future, Inc. · 1585 Springfield Avenue, Suite 2, Maplewood, NJ 07040 · (347) 972-5221 · admin@towardsabrighterfuture.com · Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM