About
Welcome! Thank you for your interest in my practice and I hope to speak with you soon.
Hello, I’m Lance
I’m a Board Certified Psychotherapist, licensed in both New Jersey and New York. For years, I’ve been committed to helping individuals and couples explore themselves more deeply and understand the patterns that shape their lives.
My work is grounded in psychoanalysis, which means we don’t just look at surface-level behaviors, we look at the hidden drivers beneath them. I believe that therapy is less about me trying to give you answers, and more about creating a space where you can uncover your own. My role is to listen carefully, ask questions that spark curiosity, and help you recognize how past experiences and unconscious patterns influence the present. You know yourself best, I am simply your guide in helping you clear the path for deep self discovery.
Clients often tell me that therapy with me feels both challenging and supportive. This type of deep work causes difficult emotions to surface, so I value creating a deep connection with my clients above all else. My practice is a safe place where you can be honest, share interpersonal experiences without fear of judgement, reflect deeply, feel those difficult emotions, and gradually see yourself and your relationships with new clarity.
My Certifications
Board Certified Diplomat in Clinical Social Work by the American Board of Clinical Social Work
Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Jersey & New York
About My Psychoanalytic Approach to Therapy
When people hear the term psychoanalyst, they often ask, “Are you analyzing me right now, Lance?” – The reality is, I have never analyzed anybody; my goal is to help you analyze yourself. Together, we look at the why behind your thoughts, emotions, and actions.
Psychoanalysis is a process of curiosity and exploration. In our sessions, we will look at the recurring themes in your life – in relationships, at work, and in your inner emotional world – and ask where they come from. Often, these patterns are shaped by early experiences, unconscious internal conflicts, or suppressed emotions that are difficult to uncover on your own.
That’s where I come in; by asking questions purely from a place of curiosity, you are able to ponder things that usually pass you by in your daily life. Those subconscious beliefs and automatic reactions are what lead to recurring patterns and finding difficulty in initiating change. By bringing them into focus, you can begin to understand yourself more fully, make sense of your struggles, and feel more grounded in who you are. This work takes time and willingness to venture deep within yourself, but the insights gained lead to transformations that extend far beyond our sessions.
In our work together, you’ll develop:
- Greater self-awareness and understanding of your inner world
- Recognition of recurring patterns in relationships and behaviors
- Insight into how past experiences shape current reactions
- More freedom in how you respond to difficult emotions
- The ability to form more authentic connections with yourself and others
Psychoanalysis is not about quick answers, but about discovery. It creates a consistent space where curiosity, reflection, and honesty can lead to meaningful and lasting change.
Why My Approach Is Different
Many therapeutic methods focus on symptom relief: strategies to calm anxiety, reduce compulsions, or manage difficult thoughts. While these tools can be useful, they often stop at the surface. The question at the root of these types of therapy is “How can I change this pattern?” Psychoanalysis asks a different question: “Why are these patterns here in the first place?”
By slowing down and looking deeper, we uncover the roots of your struggles; the fears, conflicts, and experiences that have been shaping your reactions for years. Instead of trying to “correct” or “manage” behaviors, my approach helps you see yourself with clarity, make sense of what feels confusing, and create change that emerges naturally from understanding yourself more fully.
You may find that the things you’ve been working so hard to change with symptom management skills are actually remnants of suppressed emotions that needed to come to light or past experiences that are causing the same reaction now that they did decades ago.
My approach aims to give you grace in knowing that the things you want to “fix” about yourself are often leftover coping mechanisms that worked in a different stage of your life. It’s just a pattern that no longer suites the person you want to become. Understanding where these patterns came from is the most important part of being able to take a pause and be curious about them when they inevitably show up again, rather than immediately being angry or anxious about the pattern’s presence and reacting based on those emotions.
One way I often explain the difference between psychoanalysis and other types of therapy is with a simple medical metaphor:
Imagine you have a fever and a headache that is caused by an infection.
Option 1 is taking aspirin, which lowers your fever and eases the pain. You’d feel better in the short term, but the infection – the real cause of your symptoms – would still be there. You would be taking aspirin for the rest of your life to cope with the headache and fever, while the infection only gets worse over time.
Option 2 is that the doctor prescribes you an antibiotic. It might take a little bit longer to kick in and you might not feel healed after the first pill, but over time the infection will have gone away and you no longer need to take the antibiotic.
Psychoanalysis is like the antibiotic. Instead of only treating the surface discomfort, we work to uncover and address what’s really causing it. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other approaches can be helpful for managing symptoms, much like aspirin is helpful for temporary relief. With my psychoanalytic approach, the focus is on going deeper and asking why the symptoms exist in the first place.
About My Practice
My Space 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.