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AB Portrait of Dr. Augustine Bessong

Dr. Augustine Bessong

Collaborative counselor focused on practical change

LPC New Jersey

Experience
22 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment-Based Therapy
Languages
English

About Augustine

Dr. Augustine Bessong brings 22 years of professional experience as a Licensed Professional Counselor practicing in New Jersey.

Background and approach

He combines evidence-informed techniques with a client-centered stance, drawing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy among other approaches to help people manage anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, and a wide range of life challenges. His background includes work with people facing addictions, relationship and intimacy concerns, grief, sleep and eating difficulties, ADHD, and compassion fatigue.

He describes his manner as warm, interactive, and empathic, prioritizing listening and collaboration so clients feel respected and accepted. Treatment plans are tailored to each person's needs, integrating attachment-based and emotionally focused ideas when helpful alongside CBT and client-centered methods.

Dr. Bessong emphasizes the client as the driver of change while the therapist acts as a catalyst and source of support.

For prospective clients who are navigating career stress, parenting challenges, bipolar disorder, coping with life transitions, or more complex issues such as dissociation or domestic violence, he offers a flexible, nonjudgmental approach. He accepts international clients and provides multiple online session formats to accommodate different schedules and preferences.

Therapeutic approaches and online care that fit your life

Dr. Bessong uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop practical coping skills for anxiety, depression, and stress. Attachment-Based Therapy is another strand of his work, focusing on patterns in relationships and how early attachment experiences influence current emotional needs and interpersonal responses. He also draws on client-centered principles to create a respectful environment where the client's perspective guides the pace and focus of therapy.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. He works with clients to explore which methods feel most useful for their goals and adjusts the plan over time, combining techniques as needed to match each person's situation and preferences.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, which can make regular care easier to fit into busy schedules or long-distance situations. These formats support continuity of care and allow licensed professionals to work with individuals across locations while tailoring session length and style to what works best for the client.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does he address?
He works with a broad range of concerns including stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, ADHD, addictions, relationship and intimacy-related issues, eating and sleeping problems, parenting and career challenges, and compassion fatigue.
How would you describe his therapeutic approach and style?
His style is warm, interactive, and empathic, with a focus on effective listening and collaboration; he blends approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, attachment-based work, emotionally-focused ideas, existential and client-centered therapy to fit each client.
What is his professional background and experience?
He is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 22 years of experience working in mental health settings across a range of clinical areas and populations.
Where is he licensed and based?
He practices in New Jersey and holds the credential NJ LPC 37PC00462400 as a Licensed Professional Counselor.
Does he work with people who live outside the United States?
Yes, he accepts international clients and is available to work with people who are located outside the U.S.
Which session formats does he offer?
He provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and preferences.
How does pricing and billing work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityJealousyLife purposeMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

22+ years

Licensed

New Jersey

Languages

English