Brett Sheldon, LCSW, is an experienced and compassionate social worker leading the team at Integral Therapy and Counseling in Highland Park, New Jersey.
Throughout his life, Brett has experienced many transitions, some planned and some devastating. These experiences generated his interest in studying how life changes impact individuals psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Brett earned his Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey. In 2007, while running a zen meditation practice, he decided to pursue a doctorate in sports psychology in San Diego, California. But life had different plans.
During his last semester in college, Brett met people who forever changed his life’s trajectory. As a result, he decided to forego moving to San Diego and instead moved to Jerusalem, Israel.
In Israel, Brett spent three years studying philosophy, psychology, law, and character development – not for a degree but his personal development. While living in Israel, he discovered that narrowly focusing on sports psychology wouldn’t satisfy his need for contribution. Instead, Brett broadened his scope of practice to include more types of people and issues.
After returning from Israel in 2010, he decided to pursue a master’s degree in social work because of the alignment between the values engendered in the social work profession and his own. Soon enough, helping people reflect on, figure out, and fulfill their life’s purpose became his passion in life.
Since 2016, Brett has worked in various settings, including community mental health centers, private practices, and a local county jail. While working at the jail, he honed his clinical and coaching skills to help inmates begin their transformation from a life with little purpose and vision to a life with meaning, hope, and motivation to live their purpose.
Brett's fascination with how people respond to life’s stressors comes out of his grappling with life’s surprises, pleasant and otherwise. It’s the highest honor of his life to serve as a confidante, guide, coach, and healer for his clients.