Welcome to Tree of Life!
Written by Aly Resnick, LPC, LMHC, ACS, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tree of Life Counseling Center.
My name is Aly Resnick and I am the founder of Tree of Life Counseling Center. I wanted to give you a little about who I am and how Tree of Life got its roots. To do that, lets go back… way back. My passion for mental health was sparked during a transitional time in my life. I had graduated college and like most 20-somethings, I was lost. I had met with a friend (fun fact that friend is Lisa Miller-Samber, who is now one of our clinical supervisors!) who encouraged me to pursue a degree in mental health with the help of my mother. I quickly recognized that this was my true passion and saw firsthand the lack of resources available in the community. It inspired me to pursue a career in mental health. After obtaining my Masters degree in psychology, I worked for several mental health practices, gaining valuable experience and knowledge.
It was at one of these agencies that the seed idea for Tree of Life was planted. I wanted to give individuals who needed counseling access to quality counselors and truly get the help they needed. With the support of my family, I took a GIANT leap of faith an opened Tree of Life in August 2016. Starting a business from scratch is NOT easy, but I was determined to make it work. I never could have guessed how it would grow. Sure, we grew slowly and steadily; however the impact that we have on the community continued to grow which truly warmed my heart. I couldn’t have imagined the sharp increase in need for quality and accessible mental health care following the mess that was 2020 and the COVID lockdowns. All I knew was that my initial goals of providing quality care had stayed the same.
I was lucky enough to have my family join me in my journey at Tree of Life, which makes this experience so much better! My family and I work tirelessly to ensure that everyone who walks through our doors, whether staff, patient, or guest, feels welcome and receives the best possible care. As of February 2023, I am proud to say that we employ over 50 licensed clinicians (and counting), 10 support staff, and several spoiled therapy dogs! We have two locations in Freehold and Princeton and have the opportunity to serve approximately 1,800 clients per week!!! My team is absolutely incredible and they have all become family. The best part? We’re not done growing yet.
Tree of Life offers a wide range of mental health services including therapy, support groups, med management, etc., all designed to meet the unique needs of each client. Currently, we see children, teens, young adults, adults, couples, and families as clients. We support individuals going through a variety of life events, such as anxiety, depression, grief, chronic pain, trauma, just to name a few… In addition to traditional talk therapy, we also offer EMDR, sand tray therapy, play therapy, yoga, reiki, massage therapy, hypnosis, meditation, CBT, DBT, neurofeedback, med management with a licensed prescriber, and more. Any therapeutic approach you’re looking for, I probably have somebody on my staff who specializes in it. We really can say that we do it all, a one stop shop!
Over the years I’ve learned firsthand what a joy it is to be surrounded by such wise, gifted, caring, and compassionate therapists. We learn from each other every day! We continue to search for new and exciting ways to make our knowledge and expertise more accessible to a greater number of people. So whether you’re a current client, a prospective clients, one of our many supporters and stakeholders, or just a curious internet browser… We have information to share! Make sure to subscribe to our “Monthly Dose” newsletter on our website homepage, as well as to check back here regularly for new blog posts. You can stay up-to-date on all these goings-on by following us on Instagram.
From my family to yours, I hope you have had a chance to learn a little bit more about me and hear about the roots of Tree of Life. I feel as though our practice has truly defied the odds during COVID and survived to tell the tale! We’ve faced so many challenges along the way, however we never lost sight of our goals! With every passing day, we continue to grow and help the community, providing a safe and supportive environment for those who need it most. Our story is just a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and the unwavering belief in the importance of mental healthcare and having a dream. Let’s make this a place to learn from one another and grow together. I can’t wait to see where it takes us!
NOTICE TO USERS The Tree of Life Blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, medical treatment, or therapy. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding any mental health symptom or medical condition. Never disregard professional psychological or medical advice nor delay in seeking professional advice or treatment because of something you have read on this blog.