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Simone Lavine, M.Ed, LPC, RPT™, ACS

Director

Areas of Focus:​

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  • Complex Trauma

  • Attachment Trauma

  • Neurodivergence

  • LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy

  • Parent & Caregiver Support

  • Couple & Relationship Therapy

  • Family Therapy

  • Play Therapy

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Fees:

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  • Therapy Services:

    • Individuals: $180 per 45-50 minute session - $200 for the initial session

    • Couples & Families: $195 per 45-50 minute session - $215 for the initial session

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  • Consultation Services:

    • Clinical Consultation: $200 per 50-minute consultation session

    • EMDR Consultation (CIT): $150 per 50-minute consultation session

Hello! I’m so glad you’re here. Finding a therapist who feels like the right fit can be daunting, and it takes courage to begin the process at all. Many of my clients come to therapy after seeing one or more therapists in the past and still feeling misunderstood or unsupported in the ways they truly needed. My work is rooted in addressing the underlying causes of suffering within individuals and relational systems, allowing me to provide thoughtful, effective care to children, teens, adults, couples, and families who may not have found therapy helpful before. Clients often describe my approach as engaged, collaborative, refreshing, and deeply compassionate.

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I come to this work with a lifelong passion for emotional and relational wellness, shaped by a diverse background in education, theater, culinary arts, and Yoga, alongside extensive training in human development and counseling. My therapeutic lens is trauma- and attachment-informed, neurodiversity-affirming, and LGBTQIA+ affirming. I practice from a framework of cultural humility that acknowledges the impact of systemic oppression and prioritizes collaboration, authenticity, and advocacy.

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I am especially passionate about supporting couples, families, and children impacted by trauma and neurodivergence, and helping clients build deeper, safer, and more connected relationships with themselves and others.

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In June 2024, I founded Heartwise Counseling with the vision of creating a practice grounded in affirming, relationally-focused, and effective care. I am deeply committed not only to supporting clients, but also to mentoring and training therapists to show up with humanity, authenticity, curiosity, and compassion in their work.

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Outside of the therapy room, I enjoy spending time in nature, trying new restaurants, caring for my houseplants, practicing Yoga, and connecting deeply with my partner and close friends. I also love spending time with my two “foster fail” pups, Barry and Molly.

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You deserve support from someone who is committed to truly understanding you and helping you create meaningful, lasting change. Whether you’re seeking healing for yourself, your child, your relationship, or your family, I would be honored to walk alongside you in that process. Let’s connect.

Simone Lavine, LPC

Qualifications

Degrees and Certifications​

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  • ​​​​​​Licensed Professional Counselor - NJ License Number 37PC01011000

  • Approved Clinical Supervisor - The Center for Credentialing and Education

  • EMDRIA Certified Therapist™ - EMDR International Association

  • EMDRIA Consultant In Training (CIT) - EMDR International Association

  • Registered Play Therapist™ - Association for Play Therapy

  • Certified AutPlay® Therapy Provider - AutPlay® Therapy

  • Bachelor of Science - summa cum laude - Human Development and Community Engagement, Concentration: Childhood Mental Health - Temple University

  • Masters of Science in Education (M.S.Ed) - Counseling and Mental Health Services - University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education

  • Masters of Philosophy in Education (M.Phil.Ed) - Professional Counseling - University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education

  • Certified Yoga Instructor - YogaWorks

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Additional Clinical Training

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  • Emotionally-Focused Couple Therapy Externship - Debi Scimeca-Diaz, LMFT

  • Emotionally-Focused Couple Therapy Core Skills - Debi Scimeca-Diaz, LMFT

  • Emotionally-Focused Family Therapy Parts 1 and 2 - George Faller, LMFT

  • Internal Family Systems - Syzygy Institute - Michelle Richardson, LPC & Bruce Hersey, LCSW

  • IFS-Informed EMDR (Steps 1, 2 & 3)- Syzygy Institute - Michelle Richardson, LPC

  • Theraplay Level 1 & Marschak Interaction Method - The Theraplay Institute - Annie Kiermaier, LCSW, RN

  • Child-Centered Play Therapy in Practice - Demi Banchs, MA, LPC, RPT.

  • Sand Tray Therapy (Levels 1 & 2) - Meg Clark Soriano, MA, LPC, ACS, RPT-S, RST-C/T.

  • Playing From The Bottom Up - Demi Banchs, MA, LPC, RPT​

  • Clinical Internship - Center for Counseling & Education​

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Supervision & Consultation

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  • Clinical Supervisors - Kim Sorgenti, LCSW and Mary Wightman, LCSW, RPT-S

  • Registered Play Therapy Supervisors - Mary Wightman, LCSW, RPT-S, Dora Henderson, LMHC, RPT-S, and Robert Jason Grant, Ed.D, RPT-S

  • AutPlay® Therapy Consultant - Robert Jason Grant, Ed.D, RPT-S

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy Supervisor - Karyn Bristol, LCSW

  • EMDR Consultants - Meg Clark Soriano, LPC, RPT, ACS and Abrah Sprung, PhD

  • IFS-Informed EMDR Consultant - Rebecca O'Callaghan

  • Internship Supervisor - Susan Clark, LPC, ACS, RPT-S

Professional Endorsements

Simone is a compassionate, empathic, and extremely talented therapist. She prioritizes the safety and unique needs of all the individuals that she works with. I would refer anyone to her with full confidence that they would receive excellent treatment.

Demi Banchs, MA, LPC, RPT™, 

Simone is an exceptional therapist. Her expertise combined with her empathetic approach allows her to create a safe space for individuals and couples. I highly recommend!

Nicole Fischer, MA, LPC

Simone is down-to-earth, genuine, and warm. She creates an environment that is validating and safe, so that true healing can take place. Simone is attentive, creative and skilled in her approach to clients' healing.

Jacquie Schriver, LCSW

Simone is an affirmative, highly skilled therapist who meets her clients and couples exactly where they are. She uses evidence-based approaches to guide her work and fosters a safe, collaborative environment for growth and healing.

Andrea Nasuti, LCSW

Client Testimonials

shared anonymously with permission

Simone has been such a caring, grounding presence in my life. She listens with real compassion, offers guidance that actually helps, and has supported me through some of my hardest moments with patience and respect. I’m truly grateful for her.

Simone has created an environment in which I can freely express all thoughts and feelings without the fear of judgement. She is personable and realistic. She makes you do the hard work but is also in tune to when you just can’t. I have grown so much and have learned so much about myself. I truly appreciate Simone as a person.

Never before has a therapist seen me so clearly, and never before has a therapist understood so well when I deflect from real progress by oversharing. I feel completely supported and buoyed, as well as pushed (in a good way!) towards my goals and improvement in general.

When I was struggling deeply with daily, consistent panic attacks, Simone helped me dig to the places that needed to find the light, and helped me process them in a way that made me feel optimistic for the first time in a long time.

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