Ray Lavender
Ray Lavender
LSW (he/him)
Populations: Adults, Late Teens, Young Adults
Specialties: Anxiety & Panic, Depression & Mood Disorders, Grief & Loss, Life Transitions, OCD, Personality Disorders, Trauma & PTSD, Recovery & Addictions
Approaches: Psychodynamic, CBT, DBT, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
About Ray
Hi, my name is Ray Lavender! I’m a Licensed Social Worker (LSW), and I’m so glad you’re here.
I enjoy working with adults and late teens who are struggling with depression, anxiety, life transitions, trauma, grief, OCD, and personality disorders. I also enjoy working with individuals who may be coming to therapy simply to better understand themselves and gain more insight into who they are.
My Background
My professional background includes earning my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Ramapo College of New Jersey and my Master’s degree in Social Work from New York University. After graduating, I began working as a school social worker in K–12 settings, providing counseling and implementing accommodations for students through IEPs. After about four years in various school settings, I transitioned into a more clinical setting at Absolute Awakenings Treatment Center, an intensive outpatient and partial care program for individuals struggling with substance use and/or mental health challenges. There, I provided both individual and group counseling. I am currently a candidate at CPPNJ and will begin postgraduate training in Psychodynamic Clinical Practice this fall.
My Approach to Therapy
My approach to therapy is warm and compassionate. I understand that it can be incredibly difficult to reflect on and discuss the intimate details of our lives with someone we don’t know, and I believe the relationship we build together takes time. I allow you to take the lead in our sessions by beginning with whatever you feel most drawn to discuss, without pressure. Over time, we can begin to notice patterns that may be presenting themselves through behaviors, thoughts, or emotional responses. It is important to me that we develop a sense of safety within our sessions where you can bring up any and all feelings you may be having. My goal is to welcome the most authentic version of you into our sessions.
While I incorporate skills and tools from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), my practice is grounded in a psychodynamic orientation. My goal is for us to uncover unconscious patterns and heal historical or current relational wounds while building resilience, emotional maturity, and insight.
A Little More About Me
Outside of the office, I enjoy collecting and listening to vinyl records, reading, and playing chess.
One of my favorite words of inspiration is, “You can never commit a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.”
