Gali Goodman, a licensed clinical social worker who treats children, individuals, couples and families, has opened a private practice in Englewood where she sees clients in a comfortable and therapeutic environment. Goodman earned a master’s degree from Columbia University School of Social Work and a master’s in special and general education from Bank Street College of Education and has amassed years of experience working in schools and with families, providing clinical and emotional support and guidance.
“Having a background in both regular and special education as well as a clinical social work degree enables me to view the whole picture,” said Goodman, who believes her double degree has positioned her to treat a variety of people in various situations.
In a school setting her role focuses mainly on consulting with teachers and administrators on how to supervise children with learning issues. According to Goodman, when a student has educational challenges, there are often behavioral challenges to navigate as well. As an LCSW she keenly understands the difficulties certain children face at school coupled with the emotional toll it has on parents and families.
Goodman also works for Jewish Family Services (JFS) of Clifton-Passaic, a vital organization that is committed to supporting and strengthening family life. JFS is a tremendous resource for the greater community, providing services that include family counseling, crisis intervention, child-centered mental health services and school consultations. Goodman additionally supports Project Sarah, a program that works with victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse, offering counseling and guidance towards a renewed quality of life.
At her private practice, Goodman focuses on developing positive relationships, a principle she believes fosters healthy personal growth and interpersonal success. These relationships are with family, friends and also with oneself, she said.
From the onset, Goodman gets to know her clients well, allowing her to create the best working plan for every situation. Goodman appreciates that each person she treats has a personal struggle that is very important and significant to them. “I focus on their perspective, always trying to see the world through their eyes and empathize with their pain,” she added.
Goodman is trained in a variety of therapies including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), emotionally focused therapy (EFT) and psychodynamic principles, yet she prefers motivational interviewing during which she asks clients thought-provoking questions that often help them arrive at solutions to many of their problems on their own.
With years of experience working with kids, Goodman believes in treating young children in the context of a family approach. She describes the family unit as a puzzle with each piece playing a significant role in the total picture. “If a child is struggling with something, it impacts the entire family in one way or another,” she said. “When counseling, I aim to work on all the pieces of the puzzle, understanding that it is a family problem we are working on, not an individual problem.”
Goodman appreciates how challenging it can be to help a child, especially when you don’t have the skills or knowledge required to do so. Before she gets to know parents, she already feels a sense of respect and admiration, knowing that they have made the difficult first step to seek help. As a parent herself she appreciates the concerns and fears parents experience, and as a therapist, she wants her clients to feel listened to and supported when they come to her practice.
For Goodman, success is measured by how well a patient is keeping to his/her goals, feeling good about oneself and functioning the way one hopes to be. As the coronavirus has forced us to remain at home, Goodman continues to provide counseling to her clients through Zoom or Skype. She also offers support and tips on her personal blog, which can be found on her website.
To learn more about Gali Goodman, visit www.galigoodman.com. To make an appointment, call 201-870-0331.
By Andrea Nissel
