I’m John, a therapist who helps you see yourself differently, soften self-criticism, and create new perspectives—one realistic step at a time
Calm your nervous system - understand your parts - long lasting change
John pelikan, lcsw, lcadc
Holistic, evidence-based support for anxiety, trauma, and depression.
About
Hi, I’m John. All parts of you are welcome here.If you’re anxious, overwhelmed, hard on yourself, or feeling stuck in old patterns you can’t seem to shake, you’re not alone — and you’re not “too much.” I work with adults who are tired of white-knuckling it through life and want a calmer inner world, steadier habits, and a more compassionate relationship with themselves.I’m an IFS-trained therapist who blends nervous system education, parts work (Internal Family Systems), and practical habit support with more traditional approaches like CBT, mindfulness-based strategies, and attachment-focused work. In plain English: we’ll look at what’s happening in your body, your thoughts, and your emotions, and gently get curious about the different “parts” of you that show up — like the inner critic, the people-pleaser, the perfectionist, or the part that just wants to shut down.My style is casual, honest, and human. I don’t sit back silently and stare at you, and I’m not here to hand out unrealistic advice that ignores your actual life. I respect that it takes time to feel safe with a therapist, and I see our relationship as the foundation of the work. Usually, the first few sessions are about getting to know you, understanding what you’re carrying, and clarifying what you want therapy to do for you. From there, we slowly explore what gets in the way of the life you want and begin building small, doable changes that actually fit your nervous system — not fight against it.I’ve lived with my own anxiety, depression, and emotional pain, and I’m in long-term recovery from addiction and homelessness. Those experiences shaped how I see this work: your symptoms aren’t just problems to get rid of, they’re signals from parts of you that have been trying to cope and survive. Discovering IFS changed the direction of my life and career, and I bring that same lens of curiosity, compassion, and “no bad parts” into sessions with my clients.Professionally, I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Clinical Drug and Alcohol Counselor (LCADC) with a master’s degree in clinical social work. Since 2016, I’ve worked with children, adults, and families in outpatient settings, and over the years my focus has honed in on adults navigating anxiety, trauma, depression, codependence, and identity struggles. I hold licenses in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, and Maine, and I’m committed to ongoing learning — regularly studying IFS, polyvagal theory, attachment, psychodynamic therapy, and emotionally focused approaches, and meeting with a consultation group to keep growing as a therapist.If you’re in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, or Maine, I offer one-on-one online therapy through my private practice.If you’re elsewhere, you can still connect with my work through educational content — videos, guides, and other resources designed to help you understand your inner world and take small, realistic steps toward change. (That content is for education and support, not a substitute for therapy.)If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck in old patterns, or simply curious about a different way of relating to yourself, you’re welcome here. Together, we can create new perspectives — one realistic step at a time.
I may be a good fit if:
You feel behind in life or stuck in the same patterns
You’re tired of quick-fix mental health tips that don’t actually help
You want grounded support that fits your real life, not an ideal version of you
You appreciate clear explanations about your nervous system and “parts,” not clinical jargon
You’re open to taking small, realistic steps rather than trying to fix everything at once
If you’re in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, or Maine and you’re curious about working together, we can start with a free 15-minute consultation.
It’s a chance to share what you’re going through, ask questions, and see if this feels like a good fit — no pressure, no commitment.
Get the “Stuck to Soothing” Starter Kit
A simple, therapist-created guide to help you move from overwhelmed to more grounded, one small step at a time.
3 “stuck” patterns common in anxiety + trauma
Gentle practices you can try in 5–10 minutes
A nervous system check-in script for hard moments
A reminder that you’re not behind, broken, or too much
This resource is educational only and not a substitute for therapy. By signing up, you’ll receive occasional supportive emails. You can unsubscribe anytime.
8 Lombardy St #40120
Newark, NJ 07102609-798-1453
[email protected]