Lori Phelan, LCSW
As a licensed therapist in Wayne and Pompton Plains, New Jersey, I founded North Jersey Axis Mental Health Group (formerly Comprehensive Counseling of Passaic and Morris County) to help individuals and families find meaningful, lasting healing. I have had lifelong interest in human behavior and psychology,, as well as a deep passion for helping others live more balanced, fulfilling lives.
I earned my Master’s degree from New York University (NYU) and completed advanced studies in psychoanalysis, through the Institute of Psychoanalytic studies. I also have specialty certifications in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and ADHD treatment. During therapy clients uncover how past experiences shape current patterns and emotions. I often say, therapy isn’t about talking about your past — it’s about getting your past out of your future interactions. When clients gain insight into their history, they create space for growth, clarity, and emotional freedom.
I believe that while tools like mindfulness and coping strategies are essential, true healing comes from understanding the deeper roots of anxiety, trauma, and stress. By addressing the source, not just the symptoms, clients can finally put the past in the past and develop a future free from anxiety and depression.
Beyond therapy, I serve on an advisory group for New York University’s Silver School of Social Work, contributing to the development of the SMART app — a resource connecting professionals to research, continuing education, and community support. I enjoy volunteering with several organizations, especially focused on mental health.
As a mother, I understand the pressures families face — from school stress to technology overload, as well as challenges with neurodiversity. I’ve worked with schools to reduce student anxiety and improve collaboration between educators and families. These experiences help me connect with parents and adolescents in a practical, compassionate way. I provide presentations for school personnel and families on school refusal/school anxiety, educating others on how to help mitigate anxious symptoms to ensure optimal academic achievements.
At Axis Mental Health, I continue to work directly with clients while also supervising and mentoring the next generation of therapists. Watching therapists grow into confident, compassionate clinicians has become one of the most rewarding parts of my career.
