Now Offering Online & Teletherapy
R. Hope Eliasof, LCSW & LMFT NJ, received her Bachelor of Arts degree at CUNY at Brooklyn in 1975 and Masters in Social Work at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work in 1983.
Ms. Eliasof holds certification in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy from Institute of Mental Health Education in Englewood, NJ, 1988 and a Supervisor Certificate from the National Institute of the Psychotherapies, NYC, in 1993.
NEUROBIOLOGY TRAINING IN COUPLES THERAPY
Hope recently completed a yearlong Post-Master’s program in Neurobiology Couples Therapy with Dr. Stan Tatkin, author of Wired for Love.
Research and technology have helped us realize the brain is hard-wired at an early age. Neurobiology teaches us how the brain works and affects our relationships.
The advanced training provides Hope with additional tools when helping clients in couples therapy. By understanding that the brain controls how we react, couples can learn to stop blaming themselves for problems in their relationships and replace shame and reactivity with compassion. They learn ways to self-calm and stay connected. Couples can begin to prevent and help defuse conflict and build secure and loving relationships.
GOTTMAN COUPLES TRAINING
The Gottman method for working with couples is a model, which was developed after 40 years of research. This training has prepared Ms. Eliasof to work with couples in ways that help unblock barriers that have prevented them from achieving intimacy, friendship and the communication they want. In this training she has learned the research proven, scientifically based techniques to teach couples the skills to build relationships that promote optimism. These exercises help each partner nurture understanding for one another. Couples learn conflict management and communication skills that build trust. This method helps couples remain together in greater happiness and harmony. Ms. Eliasof has completed Gottman Level III training. Ms. Eliasof has completed training to be a Seven Principals of Marriage trainer and Bringing Home Baby trainer.
SEX THERAPY POSTGRADUATE TRAINING
In 2018, Ms. Eliasof received certification as a Sex Therapist by the American Society of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists. Working with individuals and couples, Hope helps people facing a variety of sexual issues and concerns, such as dysfunction, lack of intimacy, infidelity and out of control sexual behavior. She also helps clients with simple sexual concerns and provides comprehensive and intensive therapy for complex cases.
In 2014, Ms. Eliasof completed a postgraduate training program in Sex Therapy to augment her Couples Therapy practice. This training focuses on helping couples maintain a healthy sexual relationship and positive body image throughout their changing lives including pregnancy, illness and aging. Ms. Eliasof provides clients with more interventions to help deal with issues that impact their sexuality. The training program was through the Sex Therapy Postgraduate Training Institute in Palm Beach, Florida.
Ms. Eliasof continues to attend workshops and conferences on couples therapy, parenting, eating disorders and body image as well as other mental health issues.
Hope’s extensive teaching experience includes Adjunct Instructor at NYU Silver School of Social Work, Masters and Post-Masters Programs from 1994 to 2009. She was a part-time Supervisor at Pascack Mental Health Clinic, in Park Ridge, NJ. Ms. Eliasof now offers training groups for psychotherapists.
Previously, Ms. Eliasof was Director of the Parenting Center, Temple Beth El, in Closter, NJ and Parenting Group Leader at the JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly, NJ.
Ms. Eliasof also presents Parenting and Relationship Workshops in Bergen County, NJ. Her work has appeared in The Parent Paper and About Our Children.
• Presenter at Bergen County Chapter of The Center for Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis of NJ, Networking Meeting, Fall 2014
“How Psychotherapists Can Introduce & Utilize Basic Sex Therapy in Their Work With Couples”
• Instructor, The Center for Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis of NJ, Spring 2016
“Introduction to Sex Therapy, Assessment, Diagnosis & Treatment of Issues of Sexual Desire” Teach two parts of five-week course.
