Balance Within LLC



 

   
Normajean Cefarelli, PhD, LMFT - Director

My education consists of a Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy (PhD); Master of Family Therapy with a Concentration in Structural/Systems Theory and Certified in Gestalt Therapy (MFT); Bachelor of Arts with a major in Psychology and minor in Theory and Counseling (M.A.); Associate of Science with a major in Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Counseling (A.S). I am an adjunct instructor at New York University (NYU) for the Department of Applied Psychology and have been teaching at Southern Connecticut State University for ten years in the Psychology Department as an adjunct instructor and the Marriage and Family Therapy Department as an adjunct instructor and clinical supervisor in the Family Clinic. My education coupled with practical and life experiences contribute to my unique tapestry of services.

We all go through transitions in life; no one is exempt. Sometimes we manage to successfully navigate seamlessly through life's circumstances and other times we need more guidance, compassion, and additional tools. This is what makes us all human.

I have set my life purpose to be someone who intentionally provides a space to work through that which your soul is calling to heal. This may appear in the form of sadness, anxiety, anger, attachment, fear of the unknown, or confusion.

I bring knowledge, skills, and myself to your sessions in order to nurture and guide the undeveloped pieces which keep you stagnant or stuck in old patterns of relating to yourself, your life partner, friends or family. I will share new ways of responding to old situations, resources to guide in those changes and encouragement to tap into your natural resources from within.

My formal training is in Systemic Theory which views the entire family system; meaning we do not exist in isolation. All parts need to be considered. Theoretical foundations I use to examine and intervene might consist of Intergenerational, Structural, Strategic, and Gestalt therapies. The families we originate from bring insurmountable energy from past and current generations. We usually, even unknowingly, are quite loyal to these generations. Awareness and understanding of our beliefs, values, thoughts and feelings can assist in finding our genuine self. Once you are able to find this authentic self, it will help you become congruent with who you are and your reactions to others.

Perhaps you would like to learn how to set clearer boundaries, healthier ways of expressing anger or other heightened emotions, expressing love, or understanding how your partner expresses love. These are all ways that impact our relationships on a daily basis.

I am skilled, qualified, and educated in these arenas. My work with individuals, single parents, premarital couples, couples, different family structures, divorced individuals, anger management groups, supervised visitation research, and stress reduction for over a decade has provided me with both the experience and knowledge to work with you. I am proficient working with a myriad of cultures and religious convictions.

Although traditional psychotherapy is very helpful, I have found that at times the energy system often benefits from an integrated approach. Recognizing this I have studied two of the oldest traditional eastern energy therapies and I am now a Reiki Master Teacher registered with the International Association of Reiki Professionals and Registered Jin Shin Do® Bodymind Acupressure® Practitioner. I also received my Certification for Hypnotherapy through the Hypnodine Foundation recognized by the Hypnosis International Board of Registration. It has been my experience that talk therapy can be enhanced with energy therapies. Energy therapies help support and heal an individual while moving through an impasse. In turn, this allows a deeper level of healing to take place. If we work in tandem to explore your goals and make the changes you think are necessary, your life can be different.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

• American Psychological Association
• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy clinical membership
• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Approved Supervisor
• Connecticut Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (Past Board of Director)
• Connecticut Association for Marriage and Family Therapy membership
• EAGALA certified and membership [pending renewal]
• Jin Sin Do® Foundation for Bodymind Acupressure® membership
• New York City Shambhala Meditation Center membership
• Supervised Visitation Network membership
• World Tang Soo Do Organization, Dan (Blackbelt) and Instructor membership

HONOR SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS

Golden Key International Honour Society
Alpha Chi National Honor Society
Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society

LICENSES

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, State of Connecticut (#001259)
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, State of New York (#000713)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance Within LLC   |   normajean@balancewithinllc.com  |  phone: 203.213.6789