CATHERINE ESKANDER, LAMFT
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, License #37FA00018700
Hello! I’m Catherine, a second year Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist at Thrive Counseling Center. I have experience in working with teens, adults, couples, and families who are facing depression, anxiety, distress, overwhelm, anger, and adjustment issues.
I strive to create a safe, warm, empathetic and compassionate space to encourage teens, adults, couples, and families to process the struggles and stressors that they face. I use a person centered and embodied approach, meeting you where you are and working with your mind, body, and soul to help you access your inner strength and confidence.
Specialty Areas
I work with adults and couples while they navigate through various transitions in life to set healthy boundaries, recognize the harmful patterns in their life, and reach the goals they have set for themselves. Overwhelming challenges can make you feel stuck and weigh you down by dictating your behavior. I aim to be fully present with you while we identify these overwhelming areas in your life and understand them so that they don’t dictate your behavior and so that you can make considerate changes and choices about your life and your relationships.
My work with teems empowers them to look within and find the power to change and heal. We work together to identify your strengths while navigating through uncomfortable feelings and solidifying the relationship with yourself and with others. I provide a compassionate, genuine, and nurturing space where you can learn how to express what you feel, need, and want. I support you through the challenges that you face in your relationship with yourself, family, friends, and the school system.
A little bit about me…
I have a spark for wanderlust. I love traveling all over the world and experiencing new cultures, people, dishes, and ways of living.
I’m a foodie and that includes creating new meals and enjoying meals made by others. I love incorporating the new flavors that I’ve tasted throughout my travels into the dishes that I create at home.
I have three obsessions: cheese, Trader Joe’s and Harry Potter. You can find me at Trader Joe’s trying out any new items that they come out with, I love all things Harry Potter, and I will eat anything that has cheese on it!
I’m a creator. In my free time, I like to cultivate my artistic ability by working on my digital illustrations.
I enjoy a good swim and it’s a bonus if the water is a beautiful shade of blue! The beach is somewhere that you can find me all year long as it provides me with an environment where I can be mindful.
“Self-love is the ability to not fall into a puddle of contempt even when we mess up. It’s trying new things knowing that we could fail, without thinking of ourselves, therefore, as failures. Can we take that understanding and self-compassion into our connections with others?” – Esther Perel
Certification/ Credentials
- New Jersey Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, License #37FA00018700 working under the supervision of Ellen Gregory, LMFT
Education
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Religion from Rutgers University
- Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Kean University
- Certificate in Somatic Embodiment – Linda Thai