Marilyn Rukaj, LMHC, LPC

Marilyn Rukaj is a licensed mental health professional practicing in New Jersey and New York with seven years of clinical experience helping clients navigate stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, trauma and abuse, issues with motivation, self-esteem and confidence, and depression. She holds LMHC and LPC credentials - LMHC means Licensed Mental Health Counselor and LPC means Licensed Professional Counselor - indicating formal licensure to provide counseling services in her states of practice.

Marilyn uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques to shape conversations and treatment plans that meet each client’s unique needs. Her work also extends to related concerns such as abandonment, attachment difficulties, caregiver stress, chronic illness or disability, codependency, communication problems, and dissociation. She approaches every client with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, tailoring sessions to individual goals and circumstances. Recognizing that taking the first step toward a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage, Marilyn offers consistent support and collaborative guidance throughout the therapeutic process.

Evidence-Based Techniques and Online Therapy Options

Marilyn employs evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on how thoughts and behaviors interact to influence feelings, helping clients identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop more adaptive responses for managing anxiety, depression, and stress. She also uses skills-focused strategies that build practical coping tools for emotional regulation, communication, and relationship challenges, supporting improvements in self-esteem and day-to-day functioning. For those affected by trauma and abuse she adopts trauma-informed practices that prioritize pacing, stabilization, and careful processing of difficult experiences to support recovery and resilience.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the work; Marilyn collaborates with each client to determine which techniques best match their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as progress unfolds. This collaborative stance helps ensure therapy feels relevant and effective for each person.

Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, allowing clients to receive consistent support from licensed professionals without needing to travel. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules and to maintain continuity of care when life circumstances change.