How We Help

As a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), Dr. Taji believes her role is to serve as your partner and guide on your journey to a happier, more fulfilling life. You’ll feel heard, understood, and appreciated, not judged. Your thoughts and feelings will be validated, not dismissed. 

Dr. Taji will listen to your concerns and challenges and consult with your other healthcare providers as needed to gain a holistic view of where you are, where you want to be, and what is keeping you from getting there. For example, if you’re struggling with essential needs like food and shelter, these urgent issues that make it difficult to function each day will be addressed first so you can focus on your well-being. 

Dr. Taji will then develop a personalized treatment plan based on your specific circumstances and goals. We look forward to meeting you and joining you on your journey to positive change and a happier, more rewarding life!

Seniors often struggle with anxiety, depression, chronic illness, or severe mental health disorders and life-threatening conditions. Approximately two-thirds of Dr. Taji’s patients are older adults ages 65 through their 90s. Many are referred by Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center and a variety of primary care physicians, senior care facilities, and insurance providers. 

Dr. Taji will consult with the hospital’s geriatrician or social worker, perform assessments for depression, anxiety, and memory, and recommend a personalized treatment plan. She can also coordinate care with other clinicians, communicate with loved ones, and connect the patient and/or caregivers with resources and social programs for additional support.

For patients living with chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, dementia, or HIV/AIDS, Dr. Taji can help them navigate this period of anxiety and adjustment. She can coordinate appointments, communicate with family, and connect patients with resources to make the journey less stressful and allow them to focus on their own comfort and well-being. 

If the patient begins to decline with no prognosis for recovery, Dr. Taji can usher them into end-of-life care when the hospice team takes over and support the family through bereavement.

Improving your overall health is essential to improving your mental health. Dr. Taji will discuss your diet, physical activity, how you respond to stress, and other lifestyle factors that contribute to how you feel and function every day. 

Dr. Taji doesn’t prescribe pharmaceuticals, but she does prescribe social activities to enhance self-care. That could mean taking a dance class, volunteering, or something as simple as learning a new recipe. It doesn’t have to be expensive to be meaningful, and it doesn’t have to take a long time to be quality time.

Doctors, nurses, police officers, EMTs, and others who work in healthcare, first response, and law enforcement often experience compassion fatigue. In other words, the nonstop demand to serve and constant involvement in difficult situations can make even the most generous person weary and stressed. This can lead to problems such as overeating, depression, damaged relationships, and even substance abuse. 

If you work in healthcare or law enforcement, Dr. Taji is a confidante, sounding board, and guide who can help you process the intense mental and emotional demands of your job and reduce the impact on other areas of your life. Then you can rediscover the passion that led you to this career in the first place!

Based on your specific circumstances and condition, Dr. Taji will guide you through your treatment plan, applying the appropriate techniques and evidence-based solutions. These include but are not limited to:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This involves identifying and reframing negative thoughts and behaviors into positive ones. You can then learn to respond to stressors and manage emotions more effectively.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy: Building on CBT, this incorporates practices such as meditation and affirmations to help you focus on the present and gain awareness of your thoughts and feelings without judgment.

Interpersonal therapy: This technique is focused on improving relationships, which can then help you reduce social isolation, manage grief, navigate change, and resolve conflicts with family, friends, and co-workers.

Solution-focused therapy: This is a short-term form of therapy designed to resolve a specific problem so you can move forward with confidence and positivity. Not every mental health challenge requires many months of therapy!