Paul Lavella is the Founder & Director of NJ Recovery & Wellness and has been working behavioral health since 2004. His passion for counseling first took shape in his work with adolescents and young adults, and over the years of practice and experience, has rooted and grown in other ares of wellness. 

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Paul identifies himself as a functionalist, firmly believing that everything that exists is present for a reason, and carries this perspective into his counseling. He collaborates with clients to determine the roots, or underlying causes of distress that manifest in day-to-day life. Operating within the wellness model, Paul focuses on the inherent strengths each individual possesses and weaves these assets into a personalized wellness plan with aims to address and resolve the presenting problem. The ultimate goal of counseling is to no longer need it, and it's his passion to explore how to get back on track with a plan that is personally tailored to achieving that end.

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Paul is an avid reader. He enjoys travel, cooking, and time with family. Paul also advocates for those with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. "recovery - from anything - is within reach."