Counseling for Union County, without the commute
Union County is one of the most varied corners of New Jersey. In a short distance you move from the busy streets and port traffic of Elizabeth to the downtowns of Westfield and Cranford, the hills of Summit and the neighborhoods of Plainfield, Linden and Rahway. Many residents ride the train into Manhattan every day; others work long shifts closer to home. Almost everyone is short on time.
That makes counseling hard to fit in. An appointment that requires fighting traffic on Route 22 or the Garden State Parkway can end up cancelled more often than kept. Dr. Audrey Kteily offers counseling to Union County residents entirely online, over secure video, so you can meet from home, a parked car or a quiet office without adding a drive to your week.
Dr. Audrey is licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor in New Jersey. She does not have a New Jersey office; every session is virtual. To understand the format before you begin, see how online sessions work for New Jersey clients.
When everyday life keeps setting off old reactions
Trauma does not always announce itself. For many Union County residents, it shows up in ordinary moments that are hard to explain to anyone else. A packed rush-hour train makes your chest tighten. A siren on the turnpike sends your heart racing long after it passes. A raised voice at a family gathering leaves you shaky for the rest of the night. You may have built a busy, productive life partly as a way to keep old memories quiet.
Other signs are quieter: trouble sleeping, snapping at the people you love, feeling disconnected from your own life, or a constant sense that something bad is about to happen. Some people notice that their reactions are bigger than the situation in front of them and feel ashamed of it.
None of this means something is wrong with you. Reactions like these are the nervous system doing what it learned to do in order to survive. Counseling helps you understand those patterns, calm them and gradually make room for a life that is not organized around bracing for the next threat. You do not need to know whether you have PTSD or complex PTSD before reaching out; that can be sorted out together.
What kinds of counseling does Dr. Audrey offer?
Dr. Audrey's work centers on trauma and relationships. Union County residents most often reach out for help with:
- Trauma and PTSD after assaults, accidents, sudden loss, violence or frightening medical events
- Complex PTSD rooted in childhood abuse, neglect, domestic violence or years in an unstable home
- Anxiety and panic, including panic that shows up on crowded trains or in traffic
- Depression and the numbness that often follows long periods of stress
- Family conflict, parenting stress and teen struggles
- Marriage and couples concerns, especially when one partner's trauma affects the relationship
- Grief, life transitions and identity, including LGBTQ+-affirming support
She works with adults, young adults ages 18 to 29, teens ages 12 to 18, couples and whole families.
How is complex trauma counseling different from general talk therapy?
General talk therapy can be very helpful for everyday stress. Complex trauma usually needs something more structured. When trauma was repeated or went on for a long time, it tends to shape how a person sees themselves, how they handle emotions and whether they can trust others. Simply talking about the past, without preparation, can leave someone more flooded rather than less.
Dr. Audrey uses a phased approach:
- Stabilization. Building safety and practical skills for flashbacks, panic, sleep problems and strong emotions. As a C-DBT certified clinician, she draws heavily on dialectical behavior therapy for this work.
- Processing. Gradually exploring traumatic memories and the beliefs attached to them, at a pace you control.
- Integration. Applying what you have learned to relationships, work and daily life so recovery holds outside of sessions.
She also watches for what often travels with complex trauma: self-harm, substance use, depression and difficulty in close relationships. These are treated as part of the same picture rather than separate problems.
If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or 911. Dr. Audrey's practice is not a crisis service.
Counseling that includes the people closest to you
Trauma affects households, not just individuals. A partner may feel pushed away. Children may notice a parent's irritability or distance without understanding it. Adult children may be working through the same family history from different angles.
Dr. Audrey holds a PhD in Family Studies, and family systems counseling is her doctoral specialty. When it helps, she can invite partners or family members into some sessions so they learn what trauma responses look like and how to support recovery. Because sessions are online, family members can join from different towns, whether one person is in Union and another is in Westfield, as long as each is physically in New Jersey, New York or Texas during the session.
How do online counseling sessions work in New Jersey?
Sessions take place over a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. You get a link that opens in your browser on a laptop, tablet or phone, with nothing to download. You need a private space, a camera and a stable connection.
New Jersey clients are scheduled on Eastern Time, and scheduling is flexible around work, commuting and family responsibilities. Dr. Audrey's New Jersey LPC license allows her to work with anyone physically located in New Jersey at the time of the session. You can read more about her New Jersey work on the New Jersey counseling page.
Many trauma survivors find that online counseling makes the first step easier. You can sit somewhere familiar, keep a comforting object nearby and avoid the stress of an unfamiliar waiting room. After a difficult session, you do not have to navigate a crowded platform or highway while still unsettled.
Qualifications and experience
Dr. Audrey Kteily has worked as a clinician for more than twenty years. She earned a PhD in Family Studies and a BA in Psychology from Texas Woman's University and a Master's in Counseling from Dallas Baptist University. She holds three licenses: New Jersey Licensed Professional Counselor, New York Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Texas Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC since 2001, Supervisor since 2004).
The National Council on Family Relations recognizes her as a Certified Family Life Educator, Evergreen Certifications has certified her in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (C-DBT), and she has published in the field of family dynamics. Her practice is LGBTQ+-friendly and LGBTQ+-owned. Learn more on the Dr. Audrey home page.
For those who want to read further, the World Health Organization provides an overview of mental health worldwide, the National Board for Certified Counselors explains counselor standards, and research on trauma treatment can be found through the National Center for Biotechnology Information and the New England Journal of Medicine.
Begin counseling from Union County
Dr. Audrey is an out-of-network provider. After sessions she provides a superbill you can submit to your insurer for possible out-of-network reimbursement, so check your out-of-network mental health benefits before starting. You can also start from the New Jersey appointment request form.
Texting is the easiest way to reach her. Please keep health details out of texts; a brief note that you live in Union County and are interested in counseling is enough. She responds within one business day.
Request a counseling appointment, or text or call (917) 905-3183.