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Alison Urban

(she/her)

Alison Urban

LCSW, RPT™

Psychotherapist
Therapy for kids 5+, teens, adults

Watch my video

Feeling overwhelmed or just need someone who really gets it?

Hi there! I’m Ali, an experienced therapist who’s passionate about helping kids, teens, and adult individuals navigate life’s ups and downs with creativity and understanding. Whether you’re a parent wondering whether your child’s anger or sadness is normal, or struggling to relate to a moody teen, or an adult dealing with life after college, career changes, loss, or relationship issues, I’m here to support you every step of the way. Let’s work together to explore, grow, and thrive.

I specialize in overcoming and healing things like:

• Kids with uncontrollable outbursts and behavior challenges
• Childhood sleep issues - nightmares, unwilling to sleep alone
• Kids and teens who don’t want to go to school or don’t listen at home
• Disordered eating or changing one’s relationship with food
• Adults with anxiety and depression
• Adjusting to college or life after college
• Big Life Transitions at any age

My Approach

How I Work with Kids Ages 5-10:

“Enter into a child's play, and you will find the place where their minds, hearts, and souls meet." — Virginia
Axline, Psychologist and pioneer in Play Therapy

For your child, play is more than just fun—it’s the language they use to express emotions and make sense
of their world. When we want to connect with a child and help them feel safe, express, and heal, we start
with play.

I’m a Registered Play Therapist, which means I’ve worked with lots of children and spent a few years in
specialized training to learn all about how to help children effectively. I’m trained in an approach called
Prescriptive Play Therapy, which taps into your child’s natural form of communication, allowing him or her
to convey their feelings and navigate challenges in a way that feels intuitive and comfortable for them.

In our sessions, I’ll get to know your child through play. I’ll give them the freedom to choose the toys,
puppets, or art supplies they want to use that day, and we’ll have fun together as they explore and
understand their emotions through creative play. This approach lets them address difficulties at their own
pace and find their unique path to healing and growth. Through play, I help children interact with the
problems or challenges they are facing in a way that makes sense to them, and we’ll act out new ways to
think, feel, and respond in certain situations.

I always collaborate closely with parents when I work with children. Children often struggle to put their
feelings into words or to do what they are supposed to do, and this space of play offers you a way to gain
valuable insights into their inner world and to meet them there. Over time, you’ll do more and more in our
sessions, practicing in the room so you can use play therapy at home with your child. Parents are my
greatest ally – together we’ll build a stronger connection and promote positive change in your child’s
journey towards emotional well-being.

How I Work with Teens:

Is your teen feeling overwhelmed, socially rejected, anxious, or unsure about the future? I understand
how challenging this stage of life can be, and I'm here to help. In our sessions, I create a space where
teens can feel truly understood and respected. We’ll work together to move beyond black-and-white
thinking and discover a balanced perspective on life. My focus is on helping you build practical strategies
to relate to your family and friends, to set and achieve your own goals, and to recognize your unique
strengths.

If you’re dealing with complex emotions or major changes or loss, know that I’m here to support you every
step of the way. My aim is to help you tap into your inner strength and navigate this time with confidence
and clarity.

For parents, I’m committed to providing the guidance and support your teen needs to thrive during these
formative years. Let’s collaborate to help them find their path and build a positive, empowering future.

How I Work with Adults:

Are you an adult struggling with anxiety, depression, or wanting to change your relationship with food?
For young adults—and adults too—life can often feel like a whirlwind of transitions, challenges, negative
thinking, and shifting relationships. Therapy offers a valuable pause, allowing you to reflect and gain
insight into what’s happening inside you and in the relationships that matter most.

In our sessions, we’ll focus on understanding your unique experiences and struggles, including any issues
related to adjustments, anxiety, depression, disordered eating, or body image. Together, we’ll explore and
experiment with practical tools and mindsets that can help you build a healthier relationship with yourself,
the people you care about, and your own body.

I combine two approaches in my work: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior
Therapy (DBT). One client may need to practice mindfulness to achieve calm so they can respond rather
than react, another may need to challenge unhelpful beliefs and replace them with more accurate
perspectives, a third may need to take action and do what works in a tough situation. I work with each
client to explore the evidence-based strategies that I believe will truly resonate with you, empowering you
to make lasting changes with confidence and patience.

Let's work together to equip you in ways that support you now and follow you into your future.

Specialties

ADD & ADHD, Anger Management, Anxiety & Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Eating Disorders, Family Conflict, LGBTQIA+ Care, Life Transitions, Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD), Oppositional Defiance (ODD), Parenting, Peer Relationships, Phobias, Play Therapy, Relationship Issues, School Issues, Self-Esteem, Self-Harm & Cutting, Stress, Women’s Issues

Session Locations

Bloomfield, Telehealth: NJ

Populations

Adults, Kids 3+ yrs

Availability

Tuesday - Saturday, Evenings, Weekends

Languages Spoken

English

Book with

Alison Urban

Click below to book a free consult with me

Text/Call: (973) 946-8313

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