Therapy for teens & adults seeking support on the journey of life in NJ, SC, and DC.
Whether you are…
…a parent looking for someone to motivate and support their teen through their high school years
…a young adult feeling directionless and hesitant to make any big life decisions
…an adult feeling crippled by difficult life transitions, marriage or family issues
Dynamic Heart Counseling can help!
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to feel like the things you want and the things you do are in perfect alignment with your reality?
Dynamic Heart Counseling is a private psychotherapy practice founded by Julia Tsakalis, LCSW in 2015.
Dynamic Heart aims to provide heartfelt mental health and wellness services to the Bergen County community. Teens and young adults in particular are in a constant trajectory, developing and learning about themselves as they go along. This exciting time can be extremely overwhelming. Dynamic Heart Counseling is available to be your support system. We can help teens, college students, young adults, and their families experiencing anxiety, depression, lack of focus, social issues, and more.
Please visit the services section to see if you or a loved one could benefit from working with us, or click the box below that sounds the most like you.
Are you feeling a bit blah or anxious about the next steps of your life? Dynamic Heart Counseling can provide you wiTH the skills and techniques you need to feel ready and excited for your next chapter!
Who We Are
Julia Tsakalis, LCSW
Hi! My name is Julia Tsakalis and I am the owner of Dynamic Heart Counseling. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and received my MSW at New York University and my BA at Boston University. Aside from my four year stay in Boston for college I am a lifelong resident of Bergen County and am very familiar with the area and its people.
When you meet with me, you will find that I utilize a wide variety of techniques in order to help you reach your goals. I provide trauma-informed therapy using the framework of Internal Family Systems (otherwise known as IFS or Parts Work) and Brainspotting. I’m really good at helping teenagers and adults in their twenties through forties. I have a special interest in helping people who are struggling with trauma, family of origin conflict, grief, and anxiety.
When working with me you will not have to sugarcoat or minimize what you feel. You won’t need to numb the pain. You will build a life of rich experiences surrounding what you already have survived.
My hope for our work together is that you will learn how to be your own leader. I will help you befriend all parts of yourself, even the parts of you that make you feel cringy.
When I am not working you will find me spending time with my boys, trying out a new recipe, reading a book, or getting some exercise. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you have regarding Dynamic Heart Counseling and the wonderful people who work here!
* I am also registered and can practice in South Carolina as a Telehealth Provider *
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Individual Initial Intake: $300 / 1 Hour individual session: $260
Couples Initial Intake: $350 / 1 Hour individual session: $300
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I work with teens, college-aged students and adults. I also provide clinical supervision.
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I received my Masters in Social Work at New York University, and bachelor’s degree at Boston University.
Chris Tomkins, LPC NCC ACS CCS
Hi! I’m Chris Tomkins and I am a therapist here at Dynamic Heart Counseling. I am passionate about helping teens and adults identify their goals, get motivated, and plan to reach those goals.
Often, the plan includes learning new ways to manage emotions, make healthier decisions, and communicate effectively. My favorite part of being a therapist is when clients accomplish something they weren’t sure they would ever be able to do and discover powerful personal strengths inside themselves. Therapy with me is a collaborative partnership where we work
together to get you where you want to be.
I specialize in treating depression, stress, anxiety, communication issues, grief, trauma, sleep issues and addictive disorders. I have extensive experience working in the criminal justice system. I use evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in New Jersey, with a Master of Arts degree in Clinical and Counseling Psychology. I am also credentialed as a clinical supervisor for new mental health and addictions counselors and I am able to practice in Florida as a registered Telehealth provider.
I’m also a Dad and Husband here in New Jersey. I come from a big family that lives all over the Garden State. In my free time, I love sports, the Jersey Shore, and good bagels.
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Individual Initial Intake: $300 / 1 Hour individual session: $260
Couples Initial Intake: $350 / 1 Hour individual session: $300
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I work with teens, college-aged students, adults, couples and families. I also provide clinical supervision.
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I received my Bachelors of Science at St. Joseph’s University and Master of Arts degree in Clinical and Counseling Psychology at William Paterson University.
Sophia Mercer, Associate MFT
Hi! I’m Sophia Mercer, I am an associate MFT providing individual, couples, and family therapy in both NY and NJ. I take a collaborative approach, and I’m committed to tailoring the therapy process to best fit each person in the room. I value the mutual trust and vulnerability required to work together to achieve change through therapy.
Problems can feel insurmountable if we tackle them alone. I believe that a genuine, empathic connection with another person is often the first step toward healing. I am here to offer you a safe space to explore opportunities for change, growth and self-discovery. Through our mutual engagement in the therapy process, my hope is that you gain insight about your relationships, your sense of self, who you are and who you want to become.
I believe that relationships – with ourselves, with others, or with our environment – are the core of human experience. Often the most overlooked relationship is the one we have with ourselves. Every individual in relationships is responsible for their own self-exploration. They should be the master of their own emotions, and practice honest communication in order to achieve harmony in their relationships.
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Individual Initial Intake: $200 / 1 Hour individual session: $175
Couples Initial Intake: $225 / 1 Hour individual session: $200
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I work with teens, college-aged students, adults, couples and families.
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I received a Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Antioch University New England.
