John Pelikan

I believe in providing clients with an authentic and evidence-based experience to counseling. Clients may experience a safe space to vent without feeling like a burden to friends and family; validation of client strengths/positive traits and how to leverage them into their life; receiving psychoeducation on various mental health topics including emotional regulation, mood disorders, coping skills, codependence, attachment theory, and identity. Using trauma-informed cognitive-behavioral strategies (CBT), mindfulness-based interventions, and inner-world exploration (IFS), a variety of approaches are tailored to the client with a goal of empowering and healing wounds incurred throughout their lives. That being said, I’m a very casual therapist who provides a human experience. Let's be human! I seek to empower and teach clients to adopt new perspectives in their life and overcome their inner and outer conflicts. My clients learn how to separate from the parts of them that takeover, understand their thoughts and impulses, allow their true self to take the lead, and access curiosity, calm, connectedness, and clarity. I am a licensed clinical social worker and licensed clinical drug and alcohol counselor possessing a master's degree in clinical social work. I have been practicing within the mental health industry since 2016, gathering an array of experience with children, adults, and families in outpatient counseling settings. I hold current licenses in NJ, NH, and ME. At this time I'm in network with Aetna, United Healthcare, and Oscar Health. While I'm in network with some insurance panels, I can also provide superbills for my out-of-network clients to receive reimbursement for session costs, contingent on their insurance plan allowing for it. If you're feeling emotionally overwhelmed, struggling with events from your past, or finding little joy in life, give yourself permission to feel, deal, and heal. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation phone or video call. Access free meditations and MUCH MORE to come on my YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@johnpelikan1785 --QUESTIONS & ANSWERS-- (1) What was your path to becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker? Having lived with adverse mental health most of my life, I always had an affinity for understanding why people feel and behave the way they do. Since childhood, I've felt a desire to help others, to build people up, to teach, and to understand. These traits essentially led me to become a clinical social worker/therapist. I began to notice I avoided difficult emotions stemming from my childhood experiences, and I had parts of me I didn't like. Despite a lot of self-work and therapy, these parts persisted, causing me to act in ways that were in conflict with my values. Merely challenging and reframing my thoughts wasn't enough. Discovering IFS therapy changed the direction of my life and career. I learned to tune in to my body, my thoughts, and my feelings, and meet all of my parts with compassion. Being an IFS-trained psychotherapist allows me to leverage my past education, training, and frameworks into a profound model of healing the whole person and removing constraints to a Self-led life. (2) What should someone know about working with you? Above all, I cherish the therapeutic relationship. I respect that it may take a few sessions to develop a relationship with a client and for the client to feel safe and comfortable with me. It is always recommended that we allow for at least three sessions to determine if we're a fit. If not, that's okay! Just PLEASE try another therapist! Our first session is an intake where I gather some basic information about your life and past. Then, we spend some time creating intentions for what you would like this experience to be like and how we can collaborate together. Typically around the third session, we begin with some education and discovering what constraints are between you and your ideal life. At this point, we may begin going into the body more (somatics) and exploring emotions, thoughts, and how different "parts" get your attention. Each client is different, and I do a pretty good job of tailoring our work together to your unique needs! (3) What do you do to continue learning and building competencies as a provider? I LOVE learning! Each day, I listen to or read at least an hour of material relevant to psychology and my career. Lately, my attention has been directed toward psychodynamic therapy, attachment theory, emotionally-focused therapy, and IFS therapy. In addition to my personal studies, I have completed training in polyvagal theory and IFS level 1. I'm in the process of waiting for entry into IFS level 2. There are a few other trainings I have had my eye on but sadly there aren't enough hours in the day! It's also very important to me to continue attending my consultation group with a mentor once per month, where I can hone my skills and learning edges. "Competence" is one of the six core social work values, and I take it pretty seriously by continuing to grow personally and professionally.