Princeton Center for DBT and Counseling - Princeton, New Jersey

Angela

My referring therapist said that she’s heard good reviews of this place, so I’m sure that many people get a good experience out of it. I personally did not, and am not sure what I could’ve done for it to be different. I wrote in a form that a potential trigger for me was if I did a group support type of therapy where people shared potentially traumatic experiences, so I was not interested in that and only specifically skills training. I said I was referred specifically for DBT based training. During my intake I was then triggered because I was explained I’d have to reimagine my traumatic experience in the non-DBT type of therapy she wanted me to do. She also told me there was another patient who had the same racial demographics as me at the same university as me and asked me for clubs to recommend to that patient to join. After follow up conversation she said I should do group skills if I wanted DBT emotional regulation training because that was what group was for and individual therapy wouldn’t offer it in the same way. I was triggered again during group skills because it involved people explaining in detail the current person and situation that was bothering them for a role play project to train for encountering them in real life. There was no emotional regulation training and they said they wouldn’t do anything other than this project for over a month. I have no idea why this happened and I really wished I was able to get the good experience I heard endorsements about.

Kathy L.

This is a safe place to get help from caring, dedicated professionals. I had seen another therapist for years and then began working with Lona. It was like night and day; she helped me develop tools I continue to use to reframe situations and get out of my own way — instead of getting stuck ruminating, etc. I’m healthier in all ways as a result, as are my relationships, and I’m so grateful.

In Y. P.

This center offers such a wide array of programs with multiple therapists you can choose from. I worked primarily with Lona for over three years. Not only is she an amazing listener, but she is highly experienced and has an excellent intuition for figuring out what course of treatment best suits you and what really is the underlying issue at stake. I first came in thinking I was getting relationship counseling, but my sessions ended up helping me work through some profound family issues and problems with my career path. Lona was available and reachable on especially hard days and held my hand throughout the whole process. Now I am at a completely different place in my life and dare I say I feel happy! I strongly recommend taking the courage to make your first appointment. Definitely life changing.

Katrina G.

The therapy I received here expanded my horizons for what I thought was even possible for mental health treatment. In fact, it even made me raise my standards for my future quality of care.

Heather was the best individual therapist I’ve ever had, which is saying a lot. I was impressed at how skillfully she balanced gentleness with pushing me towards my growth.

My time here was worth every penny because I finally have hope again, which is priceless. It was life-changing to transition from feeling defective to feeling whole. I will carry the people I met here in my heart forever.

Beth R.

I have recommended the Princeton Center for DBT to friends, family and my own patients over the past 5 years. I started seeing Lona S. at that time, periodically, after only having gone to a therapist once before and having had an incredibly negative experience. I found Lona to be knowledgeable, comfortable, generous with her time, understanding and supportive. She has over the years helped me with skills to deal with several stressful situations that had come up. I can also say from direct reports from people for whom I recommended the practice, that her colleagues were also incredibly gifted clinicians. DBT is a therapy that is helpful for so many people with and without psychiatric diagnosis. To have a center here in Princeton, with several talented and skilled professionals, is a great asset to the community.

Sarah C.

I love this place! Lona is phenomenal, so helpful, & truly makes you feel cared about as a client. I have seen several health-care professionals over the years & while they provided a bit of relief here & there, Princeton DBT has been life-changing for me. I highly recommend this practice for greater mental health & skills that are so functional & helpful.

Grace

My experience with Princeton DBT has been positive from the start. I have been seeing Heather for more than one year now, and have attended the DBT Summer Program for College Students. Heather is perceptive, understanding, and compassionate, and has been helping me develop tools to deal with lesser struggles and more stressful situations that had come up. Her feedback and strategies help me move through the core of an issue from a very honest place. I always leave my sessions with Heather with more clarity and hope. The Summer Program was a skills group run by Lona and Jen, who were professional and knowledgeable. They made me comfortable and helped me understand the more technical aspects of emotional regulation, and what was happening in my body and brain. I found the group very helpful and informative.

Kathleen M.

I have been blessed to be a part of Princeton Center for DBT for over 9 years. Lona and her team are true professionals with tremendous heart. The individual and group sessions are beneficial on many levels. Lona truly wants her clients to acknowledge and bring out the very best in themselves. Lona brings DBT to life.