“Eric has been instrumental in impacting every aspect of my life. He has helped me overcome the most challenging times and has provided me with the tools to change. I believe God put him in my life for a reason. For the first time, I am fully happy and at peace. He saw my potential and invested his heart and soul into helping me fulfill it. I am forever grateful.”
∼ Andrea
“Over ten years ago, I found Eric while I was in a desperate, lonely, and unsafe place in life. He helped me get away from toxic people and situations, and led me down the path towards safety, support, and positive thinking. He never gave up on me and he changed my life for the better. I would not be here if it wasn’t for him.”
~ Jacquie
“As a mental health professional, myself, it can be challenging to focus on my own issues and self-care. My work with Eric has been invaluable. I have learned how to improve my self-talk, hold myself accountably, practice humility and improve my communication in my marriage. Eric has helped me become a better doctor, father, husband and friend.”
~ Justin
“Thanks to Eric’s insightful, caring, and knowledgeable approach, I was able to regain balance, develop a much healthier perspective, and build tools for navigating the ups and downs of life. His nonjudgmental, supportive, and gentle style enabled me to address a long history of abuse. Eric was remarkable for being able to recognize that life’s experiences are multifaceted and complex. I appreciate his skill in guiding my process forward while also respecting where I was in my journey.”
~ Beth
“When I met Eric, I felt great desperation in my life. I wanted a therapist that would listen, empathize, and offer practical guidance that focused on strengthening my mental health and well-being. Eric did just that. He helped me begin a process of healing where I worked through and let go of the heaviness I carried for many years. Eric helped me create possibilities of a life to come.”
~ Sarah
Eric has been in the field of psychotherapy for 25 years. In 2000, he co-founded Denville Family Counseling with his wife Deborah. He has extensive expertise in marital therapy, men’s issues, coaching business professionals, and aiding those with addictions. Prior to his career as a helping professional, Eric spent 10 years as an analyst with one of the nation’s largest financial services firms.
Through his diverse experiences in psychotherapy and business, Eric has developed a style of treatment that is compassionate and respectful, while remaining pragmatic and solution-oriented. He believes that individuals are capable of deep, profound change when they are provided with the necessary support and tools. He views his role as a guide to his clients as they experience their journey in becoming relationally and emotionally whole.
Eric received a Master of Social Work degree and graduated with honors from Marywood University. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Scranton. In addition, he has a master-level certification from Terry Real’s Relational Life Institute. Currently, he is a candidate in the Master of Theology program at Seton Hall University.
Eric has been on the graduate faculty at Rutgers University for 20 years. He is a consulting therapist to the FBI and received a national commendation for his service from (Fmr) Dir. Robert Mueller. He is a New Jersey Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a New Jersey Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
On a personal note, Eric is an active member of his faith community and has traveled numerous times to Guatemala for mission work. He enjoys art and photography. Most importantly, Eric loves spending time with his wife, their adult children and his 89 year-young mother.
“Eric has been instrumental in impacting every aspect of my life. He has helped me overcome the most challenging times and has provided me with the tools to change. I believe God put him in my life for a reason. For the first time, I am fully happy and at peace. He saw my potential and invested his heart and soul into helping me fulfill it. I am forever grateful.”
∼ Andrea
“Over ten years ago, I found Eric while I was in a desperate, lonely, and unsafe place in life. He helped me get away from toxic people and situations, and led me down the path towards safety, support, and positive thinking. He never gave up on me and he changed my life for the better. I would not be here if it wasn’t for him.”
~ Jacquie
“As a mental health professional, myself, it can be challenging to focus on my own issues and self-care. My work with Eric has been invaluable. I have learned how to improve my self-talk, hold myself accountably, practice humility and improve my communication in my marriage. Eric has helped me become a better doctor, father, husband and friend.”
~ Justin
“Thanks to Eric’s insightful, caring, and knowledgeable approach, I was able to regain balance, develop a much healthier perspective, and build tools for navigating the ups and downs of life. His nonjudgmental, supportive, and gentle style enabled me to address a long history of abuse. Eric was remarkable for being able to recognize that life’s experiences are multifaceted and complex. I appreciate his skill in guiding my process forward while also respecting where I was in my journey.”
~ Beth
“When I met Eric, I felt great desperation in my life. I wanted a therapist that would listen, empathize, and offer practical guidance that focused on strengthening my mental health and well-being. Eric did just that. He helped me begin a process of healing where I worked through and let go of the heaviness I carried for many years. Eric helped me create possibilities of a life to come.”
~ Sarah
Couples Therapy
Eric utilizes Relational Life Therapy (RLT) when helping couples. RLT is an approach that goes right to the heart of the problem. It starts by helping couples identify their relational stance. Only when clients understand the themes that drive them are they able to make positive change. Powerful skills are introduced and taught to couples in session. They provide the means to transform relationships from cold and distant, to warm and respectful. Lastly, couples develop life strategies to ensure they maintain what they have built.
Eric’s approach to marital therapy is directive and time limited. He meets with couples for two-hour sessions. The longer session allows him to go deeper and move more quickly. Typically, Eric meets with couples twice per month. As the work progresses and the couple improve, the frequency of sessions is reduced. As appropriate, individuals are guided to adjunctive therapies to aid in the process.
Eric was trained in marital therapy by the renowned relational expert and best-selling author, Terry Real. He holds a master-level certification from Real’s Relational Life Institute, one of the nation’s premier training programs for marital therapists. Eric is one of only 30 therapists internationally to obtain this designation. Eric has presented extensively throughout the tri-state area on Relational Life Therapy and has provided supervision to many therapists in this approach.
In addition to Terry Real, Eric has trained extensively with other highly esteemed leaders in the field, including: Esther Perel, John Gottman, Harville Hendrix and Peggy Papp. Elements from each of these individuals are sprinkled throughout his work. Eric’s goal is to provide access to the best solutions available for the unique challenges of each couple.
“After seeing four previous couple’s therapists with no success, we found Eric. He told us that if we were willing to do the hard work, we’d receive the gift of transformation in our relationship. Eric helped us reinvent a fulfilling and loving marriage based on respect. We can’t thank him enough for helping us find our way.”
~ Michelle and Charley
“If you are willing to do the work on your marriage and there is a shred of hope, then Eric if for you. His type of therapy goes beyond what you say, often pushing beneath the surface to find true understanding, and create healing between the couple. While very kind in his approach, he is not afraid to say what he thinks, and that is very helpful. We worked with Eric for over 2 years, and truly, it felt like we found a long lost friend, spiritual guide, and family member who just happened to be a great therapist.”
~ Joel and Rosa
“When it comes to relational wellness, there is no one better than Eric. He is someone who we can both implicitly trust to acknowledge and advocate for our strengths, and warmly hold us accountable for our shortcomings. During therapy, we have come to know ourselves and each other on an incredibly deep level. Eric consistently models compassion and curiosity towards us and encourages us to do the same towards one another. We cannot recommend Eric enough.
~ Sarah and Jeff
“Eric helped us understand ourselves as individuals and illustrated how to become accountable for our roles as partners in our marriage. Over the past year, we have learned to communicate, become responsible, forgive, and stand together as a unified front. He is respectful, funny, and provides realistic ways to change. As a result of RLT, we have cultivated a warm, trusting marriage. Eric helped us remember why we love each other.”
~ Holly and Brian
Men's Coaching
Eric’s parents were married in 1956 and began a family soon afterwards. First came his two brothers and Eric arrived a few years later. It was with great sadness and misfortune that his father developed cancer and died when he was three years old. Growing up without a father left an indelible mark on Eric. No surprise though, it also was the fuel that led him on his journey as a relational therapist.
Since 1996, Eric has worked with hundreds of men. He specializes in treating executives, entrepreneurs, attorneys and federal law enforcement professionals. Eric’s experience coupled with his extensive training has significantly deepened his appreciation of what it means to be a 21st century man, and what it means to be a husband.
As a relational therapist, Eric has developed a system that identifies the barriers that block men from emotional connection and provides them with the skills necessary to reconnect with others. His system can be outlined as follows:
RECONNECTION
Our Past as it relates to our Present
Barriers to Connection
Moving beyond Anger
Creating an Emotional Language
Healthy Communication
Cherishing our Partner
Developing a Support Team
While no two courses of treatment are the same, many men who work with Eric are coached through the process of Reconnection. In addition to treating many clients, Eric’s passion has allowed him to share his model with hundreds of therapists throughout the Northeast region of the United States.
“For nearly a decade, Eric has helped me navigate everything from my marriage to fatherhood to managing a family business. His support has been immeasurable. He provides a comfortable environment and a steady hand approach which enables me to really get down to the work of figuring out what it is I want, and ultimately, taking the action to get it.”
~ James
“During my therapy with Eric, I’ve maintained my sobriety, built an ever-improving relationship with my loving wife, become the father I’d always wanted to be, and launched three successful businesses. Eric’s intellect, guidance and heart are the center of it all for me.”
~ Doug
“Many of the things I discussed with Eric, I still use today. I believe it was ‘soul’ changing. The process of thoughtful, honest personal examination was the foundation of my work. In a way, Eric’s title should be ‘soul repair and improvement professional’.”
~ Bill
“Empathic, insightful and transformative are the words that come to mind when I think about my work with Eric. Not only has he helped me manage my addictive personality and fears of life passing me by, he also has provided my family with tools to help us communicate better.”
~ Michael
Recovery Coaching
Many families in America are affected by addiction in some way. Whether it is the close friend whose son is a heroin addict, the family member who always arrives intoxicated at the family function or the significant other who smokes pot every day, most do not have to reach far to feel the pain caused by addiction. For more than 25 years, Eric has combined his expertise as an addictions counselor and a relational expert to create an approach to treating addictions that is respectful and solution-oriented.
Eric provides individual therapy to clients in the early phases of recovery. Often, these individuals seek treatment to supplement their work in self-help programs or because they are referred by various treatment programs. Eric also offers treatment in the following specialty areas: motivating the reluctant client; couple and family interventions; and, coaching the spouse.
In addition, Eric has conducted over 1,000 evaluations of individuals who suffer from some form of addiction. Just as everyone’s situation is unique, Eric’s evaluations are custom-tailored to meet the needs of each client.
Eric works with other specialized treatment providers in New Jersey and has referred clients to many of the most highly regarded rehabilitation centers in the nation. His desire is to match the specific needs of each client with the best available treatment. Eric’s extensive experience allows him to achieve this goal.
“Over the last 5 years, Eric has guided me on a path of life recovery. He helped me move beyond my alcohol abuse and created possibilities for a fuller emotional and spiritual life. I am free from the suffocating walls of self-sufficiency and am able to deeply connect with others. Our work has led to a richer experience with people in my life.”
~ Kevin
“Working with Eric for the past 2 years has changed my life. His knowledge and experience have allowed me to grow as a man, become a healthier version of myself, and enter into recovery. I can say without hesitation that he helped save my life.”
~ Brian
“I am eternally grateful to have found Eric as my therapist. The negative trajectory of my life was positively altered by his compassion. The work we have done together has helped me become the woman I am today. Thank you.”
~ Therese
Business Coaching
Over the past 20 years, Eric has been privileged to work with numerous executives, entrepreneurs, partnerships and boards. Typically, individual clients present with needs in the areas of motivation, leadership or strategic planning. Conversely, partnerships and boards express difficulties with communication, collaboration or distribution of power.
Eric’s utilizes various assessments tools such as the StrengthsFinder Assessment, the Enneagram Test, and the Relational Grid to fine-tune specific needs. He works with the necessary individuals and imparts powerful skills to achieve the desired goals. He is known for his ability to identify the organizational barriers that inhibit individuals and groups from achieving maximum success.
Through his business prowess, keen assessment skills, and relational interventions, Eric aids his clients in improving their personal performance, enhancing their partner and board relationships, refining their business strategies, and increasing their long-term growth and profitability.
“After ongoing tension between two board members, we contacted Eric for assistance. He provided a swift assessment and effective interventions to bring about renewed harmony. Eric enabled us to move beyond our difficulties and focus on our mission as an organization.”
~ Caroline
“As business partners of 11 years, we had been through a lot together, both professionally and personally. Over time, our differences and resentments grew. Eric allowed us to work through past hurts and develop skills to maintain our business and friendship. We are deeply grateful for his help in healing our relationship.”
~ Kim and Julia
