Sierra Klaassens, MA, LAC
Supporting growth and balance for teens and adults across North Jersey
I’ve always known I wanted to be part of a helping profession. Like many therapists, my path was inspired by family and friends who struggled with mental health challenges and by witnessing the power of healing relationships. I find deep fulfillment in the connections built through therapy and in seeing the growth that happens when clients commit to their own healing. At North Jersey Axis Mental Health Group, I work primarily with teens and adults navigating anxiety, depression, stress management, and major life transitions. I also enjoy career counseling and plan to pursue advanced training in this area. Much of my experience has been with students balancing academics, work, and personal life, especially those in high school or college learning to manage expectations and find balance.
My counseling philosophy mirrors my belief that people have an innate capacity for growth and resilience, but that potential is shaped by the context of their lives. I combine person‑centered therapy with systems theory, viewing clients as the experts of their own experiences while recognizing the influence of family, culture, work, and relationships. I don’t treat individuals in isolation; instead, I collaborate with clients to identify realistic, achievable changes within the systems they live in. I believe sustainable transformation happens when unconditional support meets a practical understanding of a person’s lived environment.
I understand the pressure of trying to “do it all.” My own experience managing anxiety in demanding academic settings taught me the importance of protecting mental health and maintaining balance. Having worked as a student, researcher, and educator, I connect authentically with clients who feel overwhelmed by performance expectations or perfectionism. I don’t give prescriptive advice, rather, I help clients uncover the invisible systems shaping their choices so they can make empowered, conscious decisions about how they want to show up in those spaces. Friends and colleagues often describe me as “a mix of a spreadsheet and a sounding board.” I’m organized and practical, yet candid, patient, and nonjudgmental. I think people remember me because I help anchor the chaos while letting them be fully themselves.
I’m actively involved in my community and professional networks throughout North Jersey. I serve as a mentor for PhD and MA students in the Counseling Department at Montclair State University, helping them navigate academic and professional challenges. I’m also the Treasurer and Professional Development Committee Member of Montclair’s chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, where I help organize events promoting self‑care and professional growth. In addition, I serve as Director of QR to Mental Health for PROPEL (Pequannock Residents of Pride, Equity, and Leadership), a nonprofit dedicated to creating safe spaces for marginalized communities. Our team recently hosted the fifth annual Pride Fest at Greenview Park in Pequannock.
I hold an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and am currently pursuing my PhD in Counseling with a focus on counselor education. My research explores trustworthiness in qualitative research and ethical standards in the counseling profession. I’m also a co‑author of “Becoming a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner” in The Encyclopedia of Mental Health Trainings, Certifications, and Credentials (ONBLLC Publishing, 2025). Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our two cats, Nala and Kronk. We love exploring new wineries and coffee shops—especially while traveling—and I can often be found outdoors on a walk or indoors trying a new craft project.
