All About The Providers & Organization

 Hello! My name is Rasheeda Thomas, Founder/CEO of Thomas Transformative Touch(T3). I am currently working as a Licensed Clinician for NJ4S/NJCDC,  Consulting for T3 and IIC for Inspire The Youth through Perform Care. Currently, I am in the process of getting paneled for Private Insurance in the coming months as well as inspiring youth at Public Speaking engagements for different schools and institutions.

I will be taking on new clients in the coming months. Announcements will be made on this page and blog.

Counselor Philosophy

Philosophy and Approach: I believe in the healing power of expression in a safe and nonjudgmental environment. My approach to psychotherapy is genuineness, empathy and unconditional positive regard. I use Person Centered Therapy and other modalities as appropriate. I chose person centered theory as my theoretical framework because it closely relates to who I am and how I interact with people. I believe to put the world in order we must first start with one another. I value and believe that individuals can live productive and fulfilling lives if their environment encourages and supports them to do so.  I understand that if the environment encourages negativity, then the individual will be at risk of coping in a malfunctioning manner. These maladaptive ways can mean coping by abusing alcohol/ substances, eating disorders, self-harm, sexual promiscuity, shoplifting, risk-taking behavior and compulsive lying etc.... My goal is to give the client tools and strategies to help find his /her inner peace in order to reach their full potential and make life changing transformations on their own.

​

Educator Philosophy

Hello! My name is Debra A. Thomas, Co-Founder/COO of Thomas Transformative Touch(T3). I have over 25 plus years in Early Childhood. Currently, I work for Paterson Public School District as a Kindergarten Teacher at  Frank Lautenberg (School #6). Previously, I worked as a Pre-school Teacher for 20 plus years at Greater Bergen Community Action, formerly known as Head Start, Paterson, NJ.

As an educator, I believe that effective education goes beyond academic instruction—it must nurture the whole child, addressing both intellectual and emotional well-being. Learning cannot occur in isolation from mental health; students thrive in environments where they feel safe, seen, and supported.

My educational philosophy is rooted in the belief that every student has potential, and it is my role to create the conditions that allow them to realize it. This involves fostering a classroom culture built on respect, empathy, and trust, where students are not only encouraged to succeed academically but are also taught the importance of self-awareness, resilience, and emotional regulation.

I view mental health as a foundation for learning, not a barrier. When students are struggling emotionally, their ability to focus, engage, and retain information is compromised. Recognizing this, I aim to integrate social-emotional learning (SEL) into daily instruction, teaching skills such as emotional literacy, conflict resolution, and mindfulness alongside academic content.

Moreover, I believe in proactive collaboration with families, counselors, and other support systems to ensure that students receive the help they need. I commit to reducing stigma around mental health by modeling openness, providing access to resources, and normalizing conversations about mental wellness in the classroom.

Ultimately, my goal is to empower students to become not just knowledgeable learners, but healthy, balanced, and compassionate individuals who are equipped to navigate the complexities of the world.

​

The Therapeutic Relationship:

A therapeutic relationship between a counselor and client is a professional relationship in which the counselor helps the client to make positive changes in his or her life. Research consistently shows that it is the quality of the therapeutic relationship, more than any other factor including the method of therapy that best predicts clients’ ability to use therapy to help them make positive life changes. It is a unique relationship in that while the client typically shares very personal information with the counselor, in an atmosphere of warmth and trust, the relationship takes place solely within the fifty-minute therapy appointments and within the boundaries of the therapeutic contract. It is, in fact, the adherence to these boundaries which makes therapy possible and gives it the potential to effect change. Possible benefits of therapy may include relief from symptoms of anxiety, depression or grief, improved relationships with yourself and others, and increased satisfaction in life. While therapy has its goal helping client’s live lives that they are happier with, it is still work, and may at times feel uncomfortable or difficult. Symptoms may worsen before they improve; new symptoms may arise during therapy. New behaviors may upset old relationships. Therapy is not a “ONE AND DONE DEAL” but it does have a powerful potential to facilitate growth. Not every session will lead to brilliant, life-changing “BREAKTHROUGH” moments; however, if someone were to ask you how your therapy is going, I would expect you to be able to honestly say that it is the best thing you could possibly be doing with your time and your money. If you are in therapy with me and that is not how you would describe it, please talk to me about your experience so we can correct our course. Therapy does not always solve the problems that are brought to it, but there is the best chance for success when there is a strong therapeutic relationship. Your participation in therapy is entirely voluntary. If I am not ultimately the right therapist for you, I will help you find the one that is, so that you may get the most possible from your therapy experience.