Welcome

Professional Psychology Therapy

My name is Dr. Stacie Shivers, and I am the founder of Balanced Insight.  We are a private practice consisting of licensed clinical psychologists. Our focus as therapists is to tailor treatment to meet the unique and diverse needs of each individual. We strongly believe that one goal of therapy is to help each person identify and utilize their inherent strengths in order to learn adaptive coping skills, develop a strong sense of self, reach personal goals, and effectively manage life’s challenges.

Say Yes to Therapy

Free Consultation

Starting therapy may feel daunting and overwhelming, yet it can also be enlightening, empowering, and rewarding. If you are visiting this website, you have taken the courageous first step toward achieving your goals. We offer a collaborative approach to therapy, providing support to each individual along their journey toward self-discovery and growth. The process begins with a free 15-minute phone consultation to determine if we are a good fit. Feel free to contact us to schedule your free 15-minute phone consultation.

Professional Client-Centered Service

Free Consultation

If you are interested in learning more about our services and/or would like to schedule an appointment, feel free to contact us. Thank you for your interest and we look forward to speaking with you soon.

Treatment Overview

Our goal is to help people promote growth, positive change, and acknowledgment of personal strengths. Treatment is uniquely adapted to meet the needs of each individual within their personal, subjective context, as well as within the systems to which they belong, including family, school, work, and community. Children, adolescents, and adults face life challenges that may cause distress, uncertainty, and difficulty coping with emotions.  Therapy can provide support to help overcome such challenges, and learn skills to tolerate and cope with painful emotions. Seeking assistance through therapy can be an effective way to support your child/adolescent and/or yourself. We can help along this journey.

Children

Specialize in treating children between ages 3-12 by using integrative approaches tailored to each child’s developmental needs.

Adolescents

Extensive experience treating and collaborating with teenagers between ages 13-18 to provide a safe, trusting, and welcoming environment.

Parents/Families

Empower parents/caregivers with training and consultation to help implement effective behavior management techniques at home.

Adults

​Offer strengths-based approaches to help adults develop coping mechanisms for transitions throughout the many stages of adulthood.

Areas of Treatment

Services Offered
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Behavioral issues
  • Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 
  • Self-esteem issues 
  • Social skills deficits
  • Anger management
  • Stress management
  • Family and sibling conflict
  • Identity development
  • School difficulties
  • Grief, loss, bereavement 
  • Suicidality and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI)
  • Sibling conflict 
  • Adjustment difficulties (i.e. due to life transitions, family changes, school, etc.) 
Individual Therapy

Individual therapy consists of one-to-one sessions between you and me. Sessions can run for either 45-minutes or 60-minutes.

Teletherapy

Teletherapy is therapy offered via phone or internet. One-to-one therapy sessions are offered via a secured HIPAA-compliant platform, allowing for access to treatment without having to visit the office.

Consultation

We offer consultation to parents/caregivers and schools which can consist of short-term sessions to assist parents/caregivers with behavior management techniques.

Community Presentations/Talks

We are available to provide presentations to school staff, students, or organizations on tailored topics and needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below please find responses to a few commonly asked questions

How long are therapy sessions?

Each therapy session is unique to individual and specified treatment goals are outlined by the individual/parent(s) and therapist. The content of sessions may vary based on your individual needs, yet we will continue to work on helping you reach your treatment goals.

What should I expect during the first session?

The initial intake generally lasts about 75-90 minutes. During the intake, we conduct a thorough clinical interview in order to gather more detailed information about presenting concerns and background information. The initial intake is not a typical representation of follow up weekly therapy sessions. ​If you are seeking therapy for your child, depending on the age of the child, we may prefer to meet with the parent(s) alone for the intake appointment.  This will allow us the opportunity to discuss your concerns privately.  For adolescents, we may offer the opportunity for the adolescent to participate in a portion of the intake in order to begin to establish rapport. This is typically discussed with the parent, prior to meeting for the intake.

What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidenced-based psychotherapy approach that utilizes a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based approaches to treat a range of psychological issues, including depression, anxiety, trauma and more.  DBT focuses on using the biosocial theory to inform treatment intervention. The biosocial theory states that some people have a higher sensitivity to their emotions, are prone to have heightened intensity in their emotional reactions, and experience a slower return to baseline. DBT is a skills-based approach that allows a person to manage difficult emotions, improve impulsive behaviors, and increase positive interpersonal experiences through the use of cognitive behavioral (change-based) strategies and mindfulness (acceptance-based) strategies.

What insurance providers do you work with ?

We do not participate on any insurance panels; therefore, we considered to be an out-of network provider. I recommend contacting your insurance provider to obtain information about your out-of-network benefits and rate of reimbursement. If you choose to use your out-of-network coverage, you will have access to your session invoices (billing statements), which you can submit to your insurance for reimbursement.  

How frequently are therapy sessions held?

Sessions are usually held once per week. However, frequency of sessions may vary based on each case. The frequency of sessions can be determined after further discussion during the initial intake session.

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapy approach that is utilized to treat a range of psychological issues, including symptoms related to depression, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, substance use disorders, relationship issues, and more. The effectiveness of CBT is supported by numerous research studies, indicating that CBT leads to significant improvement in emotional, behavioral, and social functioning and overall quality of life. CBT stems from the basis that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all connected. It highlights the notion that a person’s perceptions/thoughts influence their emotional and behavioral reactions; therefore, by modifying negative, unhealthy thinking patterns, we effectively change our feelings and behaviors.

How long does therapy take?

Because each individual has different concerns and goals, there is no set time frame for therapy.  The length of treatment varies based on a number of factors, including presenting problem(s), commitment and motivation to practice skills, and the nature of the treatment methods being implemented.  You and your psychologist will continuously work together to best decide the length of treatment for you/your child. Therapy is a process with gradual progress that allows you to take the skills that you learn in session and apply them to your everyday life.

How do I pay for sessions?

Payment is expected at the time services are rendered. We accept cash, check, or credit card. We do not currently offer a sliding scale for services.

My Biography

About the Founder

I am a clinical psychologist licensed in both New Jersey and New York, and a New Jersey certified school psychologist. I have experience working with children, adolescents, and adults who present with a variety of emotional, behavioral, and social challenges. Common issues that I treat include anxiety, depression, ADHD, anger, OCD, interpersonal difficulties, self-esteem issues, and trauma.

I believe that therapeutic work is most productive when aligned with an empathetic and nonjudgmental environment. 

 I tailor treatment to meet the unique and diverse needs of each person. I am passionate about supporting your efforts toward improving health and wellness, as well as offering guidance on ways to access intrinsic strengths in order to experience personal success. 

Schedule your appointment today

Thank you for visiting our website. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in scheduling a free 15-minute consultation or an initial appointment.