Therapy with John Pelikan
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Nervous System First · Parts Work Made Simple

Calm Your Nervous System.
Soften Shame.
Create New Perspectives.

I'm John — a therapist who helps anxious overthinkers, people in recovery, those healing from trauma, and shame-driven achievers build a calmer inner world, one realistic step at a time.

Trauma-informed IFS therapy that respects your nervous system

Clear explanations, no clinical jargon — just real talk

Practical tiny steps you can actually follow

Schedule Free 15-Min Consultation Get Free Resources

Licensed in NJ, PA, NH & ME · No pressure, no commitment

Therapist John Pelikan smiling in a warm indoor setting

My Approach Might Be a Good Fit If...

If you're feeling anxious, ashamed, behind in life, or stuck in old patterns — you're in the right place.

You’re Tired of Quick-Fix Advice

Surface-level tips don’t work when your nervous system is running the show. You want real understanding, not another checklist.

You Want to Understand Your Inner World

You’re curious about the different “parts” of you — the inner critic, the people-pleaser, the perfectionist — and how they got there.

You’re Ready for Shame-Sensitive Healing

You don’t need to perform or pretend here. All parts of you are welcome — even the ones you’ve been hiding.

You Want Real, Practical Steps

Small, doable changes that fit your actual life and nervous system — not fight against it.

You Feel Stuck in Old Patterns

The same thoughts, behaviors, and relationship dynamics keep showing up — and you’re ready to understand why.

You Want Grounded Support

Support that fits your real life — not an ideal version of you. A therapist who’s human, not a textbook.

Services

Explore one-on-one therapy, groups, and a guided self-care program.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy for Anxiety, Trauma, and Self-Criticism

You may understand why you feel or behave a certain way and still find yourself repeating the same painful patterns. Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy offers a compassionate way to understand what is happening beneath the surface.

Explore this service →

The Overthinker Reset: A Psychoeducational Skills Group

The Overthinker Reset is a six-week, live online skills group for people whose anxiety shows up as relationship spirals, reassurance-seeking, perfectionism, work stress, or chronic indecision.

Explore this service →

Back to Self: An 8-Week IFS Exploration Group

Back to Self is a live, eight-week Internal Family Systems (IFS) group designed to help you explore your inner world and develop a more compassionate, grounded relationship with yourself.

Explore this service →

7-Day Self-Care Follow Along Program

The 7-Day Self-Care Follow Along is a practical, guided program designed to help you move from thinking about self-care to actually practicing it.

Explore this service →

My Approach to Therapy

Real change without overwhelm. Nervous system first, parts work made simple.

Nervous System First

Calm first, clarity second. I start with regulation — helping your nervous system feel safe before diving into deeper work.

Parts Work & Trauma Healing

Using Internal Family Systems (IFS), I explore the different parts of you — the critic, the protector, the wounded one — with compassion.

Shame-Sensitive Healing

You don’t need to perform or pretend. I work at a pace that feels safe, not rushed. No bad parts, just parts trying to help.

Real-Life Recovery

As someone in long-term recovery myself, I understand the journey. You can rebuild from anywhere — and I’ll meet you where you are.

Practical Tiny Steps

Micro-habits and small changes that actually stick. I’m not trying to fix everything at once; I focus on building momentum that lasts.

Human, Real-Talk Tone

No clinical jargon or silent staring. I’ll explain what’s happening in plain English and work collaboratively with you.

Anxiety / The Spiral Map

Watch one spiral — and where it can change.

Pick a moment and follow it through the four stages.

A delayed textA change in toneA decision you're afraid to get wrongA mistake at work
TriggerBody alarmAnxious storyReactivebehavior
  1. 01Trigger
  2. 02Body alarm
  3. 03Anxious story
  4. 04Reactive behavior
  1. Trigger

    They haven’t replied in three hours.

  2. Body alarm

    Chest tightens. Can't focus.

  3. Anxious story

    They’re upset with me. I did something wrong.

  4. Reactive behavior

    Reread the thread. Send a ‘just checking in.’ Ask a friend if it's fine.

The relief never lasts — and the loop runs again.

Show where it can change

  • Body alarmNervous system first — calm the body before arguing with the thought.
  • Anxious storyGet curious about the part that's writing the story, instead of believing it.
  • Reactive behaviorTry a “good enough” step instead of another round of reassurance.

Create new perspectives

Book a free 15-minute consultation →Get the Stop the Spiral worksheet →Learn about The Overthinker Reset →

An example for education — not a diagnosis or a substitute for therapy. In crisis? Call or text 988.

IFS / PARTS WORK

Meet your parts.

No bad parts — just parts trying to help.

You may already recognize some of these patterns in yourself. In IFS, we get curious about what a part is trying to protect rather than judging it for showing up.

Work & achievement

Inner Critic

What it sounds like

“I’m much harder on myself than I would ever be on someone else.”

May be protecting

This part may criticize you because it believes being hard on you will prevent mistakes, rejection, failure, or falling short. The effort can become painful even when its aim is protection.

Explore this part →
Relationships

People-Pleaser

What it sounds like

“I keep adjusting myself to keep other people comfortable, even when I know what I need.”

May be protecting

This part may try to prevent rejection, conflict, disapproval, or losing connection by keeping other people comfortable. Its care for others can matter while making your own needs harder to hear.

Explore this part →
Relationships

Worrier

What it sounds like

“I spiral after a text, a change in tone, conflict, distance, or uncertainty in a relationship.”

May be protecting

This part may try to prepare for uncertainty, rejection, loss, or things going wrong. Checking, rereading, and seeking reassurance can feel like a way to find certainty, even when the relief does not last.

Explore this part →
Explore the full Parts Library →

Groups & programs

Explore current programs and see their latest availability.

Coming soonExplore Your Inner World with IFSA deep-dive into the 8 C’s of Self — the core qualities that IFS therapy helps us cultivate. Each week focuses on one C, exploring it through guided meditation, practice, and group discussion in a supportive small group of max 10 people.View program →
Next cohort formingOverthinker ResetA psychoeducational skills group for anxious overthinkers who spiral in relationships (attachment anxiety) and performance/perfectionism.View program →
Next cohort forming7-Day Self-Care Follow AlongA guided 7-day journey where I take you through a different self-care exercise each day via video. Watch as I lead you through each practice, then try it yourself to build lasting habits that restore balance and prioritize your wellbeing.View program →
Enrolling now30 Day ScheduleWelcome AllView program →
View all programs →
Two people seated for a conversation in an office
About John

All Parts of You Are Welcome Here

Hi, I'm John. 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'm an IFS-trained therapist who blends nervous system education, parts work, and practical habit support with CBT, mindfulness-based strategies, and attachment-focused work.

My style is casual, honest, and human. I don't sit back silently and stare at you. I respect that it takes time to feel safe with a therapist, and I see my relationship with you as the foundation of the work.

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.

Credentials & Licenses

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
  • Licensed Clinical Drug and Alcohol Counselor (LCADC)
  • IFS-Trained Therapist (Internal Family Systems)
  • Licensed in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire & Maine
Read My Full Story

What You Might Expect

Realistic outcomes from someone who gets it. Here's what I can help you work toward.

Feel Calmer

Regulate your nervous system and find moments of peace

Understand Your Inner World

Get curious about your parts without judgment

Stop Harsh Self-Talk

Soften the inner critic and practice self-compassion

Break Emotional Loops

Interrupt old patterns and create new responses

Improve Communication

Show up more authentically in relationships

Build Steady Routines

Create micro-habits for self-care that actually stick

Heal Shame

Work through shame with a therapist who gets it

Make Decisions with Clarity

Trust yourself and move forward with confidence

Send an inquiry

Share a little about what you are looking for, and the practice can follow up with the practical details.

Therapist John Pelikan smiling in a warm indoor setting

A sentence or two is enough. Please do not include sensitive health information.

Ready to Take the First Step?

Start with a free 15-minute video 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.

Schedule Your Free Consultation Explore Free Resources
Therapy with John Pelikan

Warm, trauma-informed, IFS therapy for anxiety, shame, trauma, and long-term recovery. A human therapist, not a textbook.

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  • 8 Lombardy St #40120
    Newark, NJ 07102
  • 609-798-1453
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