Institute For Personal Growth

Specialties

IPG is a private outpatient psychotherapy practice with offices in Highland Park, Freehold, and Jersey City. We provide individual, family, child and relationship counseling to all, providing compassionate therapy for a variety of concerns and problems ranging from depression, stress, anxiety and trauma to marriage and relationship issues, sexual concerns, troubled kids and family conflict. In addition, we have specialties in AASECT-​certified sex therapy and work with the LGBTQ communities. Our practice also specializes in working with gender non-​conforming children and youth.

We combine heart and mind in our work, using the most current evidence-​based techniques while understanding that, in the end, it is the person-​to-​person connection that makes therapy and healing possible.

History

Established in 1983.

The Institute for Personal Growth was incorporated in 1983 and quickly expanded, now serving populations of all types and employing a variety of therapists with a multitude of skills.

Today our therapists represent the variety of clients we see — gay and non-​gay — from a wide variety of ethnic, racial, age and personal backgrounds. We pride ourselves on staying current in our profession — over the years we have incorporated alternative and eastern methods like meditation, have learned different techniques of couples counseling, become AASECT-​Certified as sex therapists, certified in EMDR for trauma, and studied the newest research in brain science. We collaborate with neuropharmacologists and integrate medication treatment with talk therapy as appropriate.

We have specialties in sex therapy, LGBTQ concerns, gender non-​conforming youth and sexual minorities as we continue to expand to all populations.

Meet the Business Owner

Margie N.

Business Owner

Dr. Margaret Nichols founded the Institute for Personal Growth in 1983 to provide therapy to the many diverse communities in New Jersey. Since then, she has expanded IPG to three locations, providing our clients with compassionate psychotherapy for a variety of concerns and problems. Dr. Nichols leads IPG’s therapists as they counsel people for problems ranging from depression, stress, anxiety and trauma to relationship issues, sexual concerns, troubled kids and family conflict.

Dr. Nichols is a licensed clinical psychologist and AASECT-​certified sex therapist. She is an internationally published author and speaker in the areas of sexual minorities and LGBTQ concerns. Active in many professional organizations, Dr. Nichols is a highly-​respected expert in working with gender non-​conforming children and youth.