Parenting Counseling
Parenting Counseling
Lance Stern, LCSW, BCD
Licensed in New Jersey & New York
Lance Stern, LCSW, BCD
Licensed in New Jersey & New York
Parenting is one of the most meaningful roles you’ll ever take on, but it can also be one of the most difficult. From daily frustrations to long-term worries, raising children often brings up emotions and patterns you never expected. Parental counseling offers a space to reflect on your experiences, explore your reactions, and better understand both yourself and your child.
Hello, I’m Lance
I’m a Board Certified Psychotherapist, licensed in both New Jersey and New York. For many years, I’ve been privileged to work alongside parents seeking a deeper understanding of how to parent, their parenting style, and themselves. I’ve worked with parents who feel everything from exhaustion to guilt, and who often wonder if they’re “doing it right.” My psychoanalytic approach is not about giving you parenting strategies, it’s about helping you explore the underlying dynamics that shape the way you parent, your family life, and your connection with your child and yourself.
Together, we’ll look at how your own childhood experiences influence your parenting, how frustrations or anxieties play into daily struggles, and any suppressed emotions that may be causing repeated struggles. My goal is to create a space where you can better understand yourself as a parent, and in turn, better understand your child.
I offer both in-person sessions at my Upper Saddle River office and virtual therapy through a secure, HIPPA compliant video platform for clients throughout New Jersey and New York. Together, we’ll create a warm, judgment-free environment where you can speak openly about your thoughts and experiences and begin working toward the life you envision.
About My Approach to Parenting Counseling
Parenting is rewarding, but it can also be exhausting, confusing, and filled with self-doubt. Parents often come to therapy when they feel overwhelmed by their child’s struggles or uncertain about their own reactions. In my work with parents, I provide a supportive space to reflect on your experiences, explore how your upbringing influences your parenting style, and better understand your child’s needs.
The Psychanalytic Difference
Traditional parenting guidance often emphasizes strategies, discipline techniques, or “fixes” for a child’s behavior. My approach instead focuses instead on understanding the deeper dynamics, both within your child and within you as a parent.
In parental counseling, we may look at:
- How your own childhood experiences shape your parenting responses
- The unconscious patterns that influence family dynamics
- How frustration, guilt, or fear impact the way you interact with your child
- Ways to better recognize and respond to your child’s underlying needs
By uncovering these layers, parents often gain greater clarity and patience, not because they’ve learned a new strategy, but because they understand both themselves and their children on a deeper level.
In-Person & Virtual Parental Counseling
My Practice in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey
For those who prefer the in-person connection, my office provides a quiet, comfortable space for our work together. I’ve intentionally created an environment that feels both professional and welcoming, a place where you can feel at ease as we explore challenging topics.
The office offers:
- Complete privacy and confidentiality
- Comfortable seating arranged for conversation
- A calm, distraction-free atmosphere
- Easy access from surrounding Bergen County communities
- An abundance of convenient parking
My hope is for this space to become a consistent anchor in your therapeutic journey, a dedicated environment for self-exploration and growth.
My office is located at 345 Rte 17 S, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey and I welcome people from any location throughout New Jersey, and even New York. If you want to make the drive, I would love to have you in my office.
Virtual Therapy Throughout New Jersey & New York
Distance and busy schedules shouldn’t stand between you and quality therapy.
As a licensed therapist in New Jersey and New York, I offer secure, confidential virtual therapy sessions through a HIPPA compliant platform for clients throughout these states to bring the same depth and quality of care directly to you, wherever you are.
Convenient & Efficient
Virtual therapy eliminates commute time and offers flexible scheduling options, making it easier to prioritize your mental health amid a busy lifestyle.
Comfortable Environment
Many clients find they open up more easily from the comfort of their own space. Virtual therapy allows you to engage in deep therapeutic work from an environment where you already feel secure and at ease.
Consistent Support
Weather, illness, or travel plans no longer mean missed sessions. Virtual therapy ensures continuity in your therapeutic journey, even when life circumstances change or unexpected situations arise.
Convenient & Efficient
Virtual therapy eliminates commute time and offers flexible scheduling options, making it easier to prioritize your mental health amid a busy lifestyle.
Comfortable Environment
Many clients find they open up more easily from the comfort of their own space. Virtual therapy allows you to engage in deep therapeutic work from an environment where you already feel secure and at ease.
Consistent Support
Weather, illness, or travel plans no longer mean missed sessions. Virtual therapy ensures continuity in your therapeutic journey, even when life circumstances change or unexpected situations arise.
Convenient & Efficient
Virtual therapy eliminates commute time and offers flexible scheduling options, making it easier to prioritize your mental health amid a busy lifestyle.
Comfortable Environment
Many clients find they open up more easily from the comfort of their own space. Virtual therapy allows you to engage in deep therapeutic work from an environment where you already feel secure and at ease.
Consistent Support
Weather, illness, or travel plans no longer mean missed sessions. Virtual therapy ensures continuity in your therapeutic journey, even when life circumstances change or unexpected situations arise.
How We’ll Work Together
Initial Contact
Fill out the contact form with some basic information. I’ll reach out as soon as possible to schedule a brief phone consultation.
This gives us a chance to discuss your needs and determine if my approach is a good fit for you.
You are also welcome to give me a call or email to set up our initial meeting.
First Session
Our first session allows us to dive deeper into what brings you to therapy and what you hope to gain from our work together.
I’ll ask questions about your current situation, relevant history, and goals. This is also your opportunity to ask any questions about my approach.
Ongoing Therapy
Most clients find weekly, and even bi-weekly, sessions to be the most effective, especially in the beginning.
This consistent schedule helps build momentum in our work and allow us to dive deep into why patterns are appearing in your life.
As we progress, we’ll continually assess and adjust our focus based on your evolving needs and insights.
I offer once or twice per week sessions to ensure we can keep the momentum going with what we are working on.
Since my practice focuses on diving deep into underlying patterns, it is important that we can quickly address what has been happening in your life and start uncovering how it is affecting you and why these patterns are appearing.
How We’ll Work Together
Initial Contact
Fill out the contact form with some basic information. I’ll reach out as soon as possible to schedule a brief phone consultation.
This gives us a chance to discuss your needs and determine if my approach is a good fit for you.
You are also welcome to give me a call or email to set up our initial meeting.
First Session
Our first session allows us to dive deeper into what brings you to therapy and what you hope to gain from our work together.
I’ll ask questions about your current situation, relevant history, and goals. This is also your opportunity to ask any questions about my approach.
Ongoing Therapy
Most clients find weekly, and even bi-weekly, sessions to be the most effective, especially in the beginning.
This consistent schedule helps build momentum in our work and allow us to dive deep into why patterns are appearing in your life.
As we progress, we’ll continually assess and adjust our focus based on your evolving needs and insights.
I offer once or twice per week sessions to ensure we can keep the momentum going with what we are working on.
Since my practice focuses on diving deep into underlying patterns, it is important that we can quickly address what has been happening in your life and start uncovering how it is affecting you and why these patterns are appearing.