Eugene Bel, PhD, LMHC, BDiv, CHC, MBACP
Hi! My name is Eugene. If you struggle with anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, trauma, other similar concerns, (or just want to work on self-improvement), and things like a non-judgmental environment, a more holistic approach to counseling, and non-religious spirituality resonate with you, we may be a great match.
I specialize in integrating a combination of training in mind-body counseling, personal life experience, health coaching, mindfulness, and non-religious spirituality. I strive to help clients overcome their struggles and create change in their lives, in order to help them fulfill their highest potential. I believe that gaining insight into one’s self is key to flourishing mental health and self-actualization.
I employ approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), mindfulness, and non-religious spirituality/transpersonal, according to the unique needs of my clients. In addition, I offer a compassionate presence and reverence to the innate wisdom held within each of us.
I offer an international multicultural perspective, having lived in Ukraine, the US, and England.
In addition, I welcome and am allied with communities such as LGBTQ, polyamorous, single by choice, asexual, sex workers, and open relationship, as just some examples.
Finally, in addition to English, I am fluent in spoken Russian and have a basic conversational level in Spanish.
If this resonates with you, please reach out to me so we can get started working together.
My Story
I was born in Ukraine.
As a small child I moved to the United States. Not knowing the language and being very shy, I spent a lot of the time on my own and felt like an outcast. I was anxious around interacting with other people and didn’t feel like I belonged.
Even though I felt “different” and struggled to make deeper connections, I made it to middle school.
But then 9/11 happened and I lost my mom in the attacks.
Around the same time I was battling with things like obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, and being a middle schooler. My family and I went through a very challenging time.
I was finishing high school and starting college soon, but then, my OCD, anxiety, depression, etc. had become worse. I reluctantly started working with a therapist. He shared that he too had struggled with some of the same things. Before that I felt like, “I have no idea what is going on with me and I’m probably the only one who has these kinds of problems”.
Through my work with the therapist, I learned more about what was going on with me and I felt more understood and validated. When I started college, I began to feel more lost and put less effort into my studies. I started asking myself things like “What is the point of doing all this?”. Around the same time, I started to develop an interest in marijuana, psychedelics, and altered states of consciousness. Big questions came up for me such as “What is life all about?”, “Why am I here?”, “Is there more to life?”
Eventually I moved away from the idea of using substances to experience higher states of consciousness, and into what I would describe as eastern spirituality. Spirituality gave me a very important sense of purpose in life. After college, I went on to do a Master’s degree program in International Management in England and I eventually did a series of corporate type jobs back in the United States.
However, I felt that the whole environment and type of work that I was doing, were not a good fit for me. Overall, I found the work to be monotonous and not very rewarding. It was time to make a change. I decided to go back to school for a Master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. I now feel that I live a much more aligned and fulfilled life.
I currently work as an integrative therapist using approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), talk therapy, health and wellness coaching, mindfulness/awareness, and what I have been learning through spirituality. I am also allied with alternative communities.
There are many possibilities and it is my belief that with enough creativity, support, and resourcefulness, you can create a life that you love.
Of course there are more details to this story, but this is a short summary.
Approaches I use in my work
I usually work with clients using one or a combination of the below approaches:
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Talk Therapy
- Health and Wellness Coaching
- Mindfulness/Awareness
- Non-Religious Spirituality/Transpersonal
My Credentials and Qualifications
- Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Fairleigh Dickinson University
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
- PhD in Psychology from Atlantic International University
- Bachelor’s Degree from Cornell University
- Certified Health Coach (CHC), Dr. Sears Wellness Institute
- Completed the Essentials of CBT: The Beck Approach, Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy
- Trained in administering EMDR virtually through EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)
- Training in breathing practices and meditation
- Bachelor of Divinity (BDiv) from Universal Brotherhood Movement, Inc.
- Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)
- Fluent in spoken Russian and basic conversational level in Spanish
