Noelle Derhay has been working in the private practice therapeutic setting since 2016 and is now joining the Blue Nexus Counseling and Wellness Team.  She has her Licensed Professional Counseling state credentials and works with teens and adults.   She focuses on helping clients better understand their symptoms and how these symptoms adversely impact their overall wellness across numerous daily life domains.  She treats a variety of mental health conditions including Generalized Anxiety disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, OCD, PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, Mood disorders, Anger management, Addiction, perinatal and postpartum issues, and more.  She keeps in mind that the client creates their success story to align with person centered and holistic approaches and overall goals that best suit each individual's specific needs.  

Noelle approaches therapy by encouraging what she calls nonjudgmental exploration.  We begin by creating a healthy therapeutic alliance that cultivates trust and fosters growth and change from the start. 

Her work embodies the whole person, remembering that a person is not their diagnosis or their symptoms. This approach aims to develop a healthier mindset, improve emotional regulation, create healthier reactions to life circumstances, boost self-confidence, and enable teamwork to help clients reach their goals, regardless of their perceived size.  She prefers to use evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, and Narrative Therapy. She also stays current with new styles and approaches introduced through bi-annual continuing education courses via a global network resource, Mental Health Academy.  Noelle is a proponent of SAMHSA's Eight Dimensions of Wellness and incorporates breathwork and guided meditations for clients looking to add that to their lifestyle.

Noelle is committed to her clients' growth and therapeutic needs emphasizing that the therapeutic focus is on progress, not perfection, focusing on the journey of healing and learning, not a final destination.  Life is always changing and Noelle approaches therapy with the same flexibility she applies to life: developing and utilizing skills to pivot positively when faced with life's challenges.  Human beings are capable of big emotions, embracing difficulty, and achieving anything with a little effort, commitment, determination and someone that believes in them and their capabilities.  She believes that hope happens when provided the vital tools to cultivate courage and strength from within.  

Noelle earned dual Bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Psychiatric Rehabilitation from Georgian Court University and Rutgers University.  She received a high honor by being inducted into Rutgers' initial chapter of the Matthew Leydt Society, which recognizes the top 1-2 % of graduates ranking her within the top 150 GPAs out of over 15,000 graduates that year.  She received her Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Georgian Court University in 2017.  

Outside the therapy room, Noelle consistently practices what she preaches.   Habits and lifestyle are paramount to a happy and more enjoyable life.  She spends time with her husband and young children in nature and through healthy socialization while also making time for daily meditations, hot yoga, running, spinning, biking, the beach, kayaking, listening to music, etc.  Life is about learning and trying new things and seizing opportunities for new experiences. 

Noelle lives locally and is deeply immersed in the surrounding communities.