STRENGTH FOR CHANGE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Founder
- Program Director
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Bernard is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive knowledge and experience in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and the treatment of numerous mental health conditions. To date, Bernard has treated over 1200 clients.
Bernard's passion for CBT started when he was in his twenties and struggling with personal difficulties. Through his application of CBT, Bernard was able to overcome his difficulties and achieve many of his life's goals. In the process, he gained a deep empathy for the pain and suffering of others and became an advocate for CBT and the importance of evidence-based mental health treatments.
In addition to his personal application of CBT, Bernard has extensively studied and trained in CBT. He had the good fortune of receiving some of his training from Aaron Beck and the late Albert Ellis (Rational Emotive Therapy), two of the founding fathers of the CBT treatment philosophy.
Bernard founded Strength for Change in 2001. His mission is to train and support other therapists in the practice of CBT and make the therapy more readily available within the communities he serves.
Bernard has authored the following materials: A Parent's Handbook: The Essential Guide To Obtaining Counseling Services For Your Child, Relationship Centered Parenting, and The 1-2-3 Succeed Program - Helping The Capable, But Disorganized & Unmotivated Student. His 1-2-3 Succeed Program is currently being piloted at a NJ school district with the hope that it will be as effective in the classroom as it is in the therapy setting.
Personal Statement
"After two decades in private practice, what I have learned most is that the human spirit is strong, resilient, and capable of greatness. It is this knowledge that keeps me eternally optimistic. Given the opportunity, I will do everything in my power to help you discover this truth for yourself."
Job Titles:
- Direct Support Professional