Welcome to Figure 8 Therapy! The name of the center derives from the "figure 8 breathing" technique that can be used as a coping skill to help an individual calm down. It works by making a "figure 8" with your finger either on your palm or a piece paper. While making this "figure 8", the individual is consciously breathing "in" and "out" with great focus.
My name is Emily Lowenfels or "Miss Emily" as many of the children I service call me. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and have been working in the fields of Social Work and Therapy for over 10 years.
My journey into the therapeutic field began when I began my Music Therapy studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Shortly after graduating and completing my internship in Music Therapy, I was hired as an Expressive Arts Therapist with St. Clare's Healthcare in their Boonton, NJ Behavioral Health Center. I realized I wanted to do more to help others, moved to Connecticut and worked as a Case Manager for mentally ill adults. Not feeling like I was working with my niche, I searched for a further way to help others. I decided to apply to grad school and was accepted into the CUNY- Hunter College School of Social Work where I completed my graduate degree, MSW on the clinical track, and certification in Children, Youth, and Families. It was during this time that I realized my calling to work with individuals and children who's present challenges may include: anxiety, depression, behavioral, and navigating the social arena, as well as with individuals who have developmental disorders such as Autism and ADHD, among others. I completed my LCSW supervision, passed my licensing exam and have been practicing privately since 2015. As of September 2019, I have left my previous group practice and have been accepting new clients in my office in Central Jersey.
My eclectic background offers me a unique practice where I utilize the Creative Arts (Music, Art, Writing, Movement) paired with Cognitive-Behavioral Techniques among others to individualize the therapeutic process for each of my clients.