Brian Colangelo , LCSW

Brian Colangelo is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who brings 15 years of practice to work with people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma, depression, and a broad range of life challenges. He emphasizes openness and honest collaboration in the therapeutic relationship, inviting clients to speak up if an approach is not working so they can adjust course together.

Brian earned his Master of Social Work from Temple University and has trained in multiple evidence-informed methods, including cognitive behavioral therapy, addiction counseling, rational emotive behavioral therapy, EMDR, and motivational interviewing. He also completed three years of Gestalt training at the Gestalt Institute of Philadelphia. In addition to clinical work, he teaches part time at Rutgers University and Camden County College and has extensive experience providing individual and group trauma counseling for survivors of sexual assault from diverse backgrounds.

Drawing on his own recovery and ongoing personal work, Brian frames his experience as a source of strength rather than comparison. He values family, meaningful friendships, and the restorative power of time outdoors - he enjoys running, cycling, pina coladas, and getting caught in the rain, and often uses a wry, sarcastic sense of humor in sessions. Committed to social justice, he actively supports people harmed by racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia, ableism, and anti-Semitism and aims to do more than provide culturally responsive care - he sees part of his role as working to undo that harm.

Prospective clients are encouraged to reach out with questions to determine whether he is the right fit for their needs. Brian uses he/him pronouns and practices in New Jersey.

Therapeutic Approaches for Online Healing

Brian commonly integrates Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and EMDR into online work. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on building a trusting, nonjudgmental relationship and follows the client’s lead to explore feelings and values - it is often helpful for improving self-esteem, navigating life changes, and processing grief. CBT examines patterns of thinking and behavior and teaches practical skills to manage anxiety, depression, panic, and mood-related difficulties. EMDR is a trauma-focused therapy that uses guided bilateral stimulation alongside memory processing to reduce the intensity of traumatic memories and related symptoms.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process, and Brian collaborates with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. He adapts interventions over time based on how the client responds and encourages open dialogue about what is or is not working.

Online therapy offers flexibility that can make consistent care more accessible. Sessions can occur by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate work schedules, caregiving, mobility needs, or geographic distance. These options allow clients to engage with licensed professionals from locations that suit them while maintaining continuity of care and making it easier to fit therapy into everyday life.