Trauma-Focused

Therapy & Services

for Adults & Teens in New Jersey & New York 

Where Healing Meets Justice: Mind, Heart & Community

Rooted in a deep commitment to social justice and culturally affirming care, this space was created with intention— to uplift and empower you.

Here, you are supported to heal, grow, and reclaim your life with authenticity, purpose, and the strength that’s already within you.

In- Person & Online Services

Therapy Services

  • Teens, adults, and families

  • Compassionate, evidence-based trauma-informed care for teens and adults

    Types of therapies:

    • Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT)  

    • Somatic Experiencing (SE)

    • Internal Family Systems (IFS)

    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)   Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)
      Mindfulness-Based Therapy

    • Expressive Arts Therapies  

Coaching Services

    • Educational Institutions, Administrators, Faculty, & Staff

    • Training Organizations

    • Non-Profit Organizations

    • Corporate Training Departments

    • Government Agencies

    • Healthcare Education Providers

    • Community Education Programs

    • Professional Associations

    • International Educational Programs

    • Vocational and Technical Schools

    • Accreditation Preparation

    • Curriculum Development

    • Program Evaluations

Legal Services

    • Immigrants

    • Asylum Seekers

    • Family Members of Immigrants

    • Victims of Domestic Violence

    • Victims of Crimes

    • Immigrants Facing Extreme Hardship

    • Undocumented Immigrants in Deportation Proceedings

    • Immigration Attorneys and Their Clients

    • Conduct psychological evaluation

    • Provide hardship evaluation

    • Complete asylum evaluation

    • Prepare U Visa evaluation

    • Prepare VAWA evaluation

    • Conduct extreme hardship waiver evaluation

    • Write detailed psychological report

    • Collaborate with immigration attorney

    • Offer culturally sensitive evaluation

    • Support immigration case through expert testimony

We Are Glad you Are Here!

At Pathways to Healing & Social Justice, we believe in the transformative power of trauma-informed care to create lasting change. Whether you’re carrying the weight of trauma, seeking relief from anxiety or depression, or striving to achieve justice and balance in your life, we’re here to walk alongside you.

Our practice provides a compassionate, culturally affirming space for teens, adults, and families to heal and grow. Through personalized therapy, mental health counseling, and evidence-based tools, we’ll help you move forward—at your own pace—toward renewal, resilience, and empowerment.

As a trauma-informed and justice-centered practice, we honor your story, value your experiences, and provide the support you need to reclaim your sense of self. Together, we’ll build a path toward healing, hope, and the wholeness you deserve.

Why Choose Us?

Culturally Responsive Care: Your unique story matters. We honor your identity and lived experiences in every step of your journey.

Expertise You Can Trust: With over 16 years of experience in therapy, coaching, and advocacy, we bring a trauma-informed and evidence-based approach to every session.

Holistic Support: From therapy to academic coaching and immigration evaluations, we provide integrated services that meet your needs.

Heal & Thrive With a team who Is by your side

Sounds Familiar?

  • “I can’t seem to move past the hurt and trauma from my past.”

  • “Trusting others is hard, and it’s affecting my relationships.”

  • “I don’t feel good enough, and it’s keeping me from living my best life.”

  • “I’m looking for clarity and a deeper understanding of who I am.”

  • “I want to learn how to communicate better and create healthier relationships.”

How We Help

  • Individual Counseling
    A supportive space to explore overwhelming emotions, intrusive thoughts, and persistent anxiety caused by trauma, complex trauma, PTSD, or chronic stress. Using evidence-based approaches like CBT, counseling helps you develop coping strategies and create meaningful change.

    Therapy Can Help You:

    • Find relief from anxiety and intrusive thoughts.

    • Develop healthy coping strategies for stress and trauma.

    • Strengthen relationships and set guilt-free boundaries.

    • Increase self-awareness and emotional resilience.

    Empower yourself to heal and build a life filled with balance, strength, and purpose.

  • Adolescence can be challenging, with pressures from school, relationships, and personal growth. Our teen therapy provides a safe, supportive space to help young people manage stress, build self-esteem, and navigate life’s changes.

    Therapy Can Help Teens:

    • Cope with anxiety, depression, or overwhelming emotions.

    • Build confidence and develop a positive sense of self.

    • Improve communication and strengthen relationships.

    • Navigate life transitions and challenges with resilience.

    Empowering teens to grow, heal, and thrive.

  • Your cultural identity and experiences matter. Our culturally responsive therapy provides a safe, affirming space to address challenges like systemic oppression, identity struggles, or intergenerational dynamics.

    Therapy Can Help You:

    • Navigate cultural stressors and life transitions.

    • Explore identity and heritage with understanding and respect.

    • Build resilience rooted in your unique values and traditions.

    Honoring your identity while supporting your healing and growth.

  • DesAnxiety can disrupt your daily life with constant worry, racing thoughts, and tension. Our therapy offers evidence-based approaches like CBT and mindfulness to help you manage stress, find relief, and regain control.

    Therapy Can Help You:

    • Reduce persistent worry and overthinking.

    • Develop healthy coping strategies for stress and anxiety.

    • Build confidence and emotional resilience.

    Find balance, calm, and clarity in your life.cription text goes here

  • Support for Victims of Crime

    We provide trauma-informed therapy and psychological evaluations to support individuals impacted by crime, abuse, or violence.

    Therapy Can Help You:

    • Heal from trauma and rebuild a sense of safety.

    • Develop healthy coping strategies for anxiety and stress.

    • Regain control and resilience.

    Psychological Evaluations for:

    • VAWA cases.

    • U-Visa, T-Visa, and asylum applications.

    • Extreme hardship waivers.

    Compassionate care to support your healing and advocacy journey.

  • We provide culturally sensitive and thorough psychological evaluations to support immigration cases, tailored to meet legal and emotional needs.

    Evaluations Include:

    • VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) cases.

    • U-Visa and T-Visa applications.

    • Asylum applications.

    • Extreme Hardship Waivers.

    Our evaluations are conducted with professionalism and care, helping to strengthen your case while honoring your unique story.

  • We provide expert consulting to help school administrators create effective, sustainable systems while addressing the challenges of burnout and high-stress environments.

    Consulting Services Include:

    • Designing and implementing programs to enhance school operations and maintain accreditation.

    • Conducting internal audits and mock site visits for compliance readiness.

    • Leadership coaching to build resilience and navigate workplace stress.

    • Strategies to prevent burnout and foster work-life balance for administrators and staff.

    Empowering school leaders to lead with confidence, sustainability, and well-being.

HEAL & THRIVE WITH A TEAM THAT GETS YOU

  • Emerita Verdejo, LCSW, CCFC

    CEO & FOUNDER

    I provide safe and supportive environments where clients can explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors without judgment. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, relationship issues, or other challenges I am here to help in the continuum of your healing journey.

    Read Bio

  • Dina Araujo, LAC, NCC

    Licensed Associate Counselor

    I specialize in anxiety, depression, youth issues, and trauma. I offer a safe haven for emotional processing, healing, and growth.

    10+ years working with youth, families, and Latinx communities.

    Read Bio

Our Clients Have Said Things Like…

  • "Working with Pathways to Healing has been life-changing. From the moment I walked in, I felt truly listened to and supported. The guidance I’ve received has helped me heal in ways I didn’t think were possible."

    – Therapy Client

  • "The team at Pathways to Healing has helped me find clarity during some of my darkest moments. Their expertise and empathy have been invaluable in helping me move forward with confidence and strength."

    – Therapy Client

  • “I was in desperate need of direction as an administrator. Emerita expertise and compassion was evident in everything we collaborated on. I have her to thank for the policy change at our university. “

    -Coaching Client

  • "As a colleague in the mental health field, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with Pathways to Healing. Their commitment to social justice and mental health is evident in every interaction. They take a holistic, client-centered approach that truly makes a difference."

    – Mental Health Professional

Schedule a free consultation Today

begin your Path to hope, purpose, & peace

No pressure, no commitment—just a quick phone call to see if we’re a good fit.