Dr. Augustine Bessong, LPC
Practical, respectful counseling for everyday challenges
Book with AugustineWorks with
How Augustine works
Practical facts
- Credentials
- LPC
- Licensed in
- New Jersey
- Years in practice
- 22
- Languages
- English
- Session format
- Online, through our partner platform
About Augustine
Dr. Augustine Bessong is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) based in New Jersey with 22 years of clinical experience. He focuses on practical support for common struggles such as stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, addictions, and anger.
He works with people who need straightforward help to cope and move forward. Before shifting to counseling full time Dr. Bessong completed a Ph.D. in 2000 at Western Michigan University.
He has worked across mental health settings and with a range of concerns, including grief, relationship strain, career issues, and challenges related to sexual orientation.
Background and approach
His background includes work with people who have experienced physical or emotional trauma. His style is warm and interactive. He listens closely and joins people in the work rather than lecturing.
He emphasizes respect, acceptance, and compassion in every session. The goal is to create a space where a person can name problems and try manageable changes. Dr.
Bessong uses a mix of methods tailored to each person’s needs. He draws on attachment-based ideas to look at how relationships shape feelings, client-centered approaches that keep the person’s goals central, and cognitive behavioral techniques to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. People who choose him often want clear tools for daily life alongside thoughtful conversation.
He encourages clients to take an active role in their progress and supports them as they try new ways of coping and relating.
What Augustine works with
Everything Augustine lists, in the therapist's own terms. Anger is the reason this directory exists; the rest tells you what usually sits alongside it in Augustine's practice.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Depression
- ADHD
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- Abandonment
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Antisocial personality
- Attachment issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Avoidant personality
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Dependent personality
- Dissociation
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Immigration issues
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Intellectual disability
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Narcissism
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Personality disorders
- Phobias
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Postpartum depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Sex addiction
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Young adult issues
Approaches Augustine lists
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Existential Therapy
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
How therapy approaches translate to online care
Attachment-based work looks at how important relationships shape feelings and reactions. Online sessions can use this approach to help someone understand patterns in close relationships and try different ways of connecting and responding. Client-centered therapy keeps the person's goals and experience central, letting the therapist follow the client's lead and offer reflective support that fits the individual's pace and needs. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors; it translates well to online formats with clear exercises, homework, and step-by-step skills practice.Choosing an approach is part of the process rather than a fixed decision. The therapist collaborates with each person to figure out which methods match their goals, symptoms, and style. That way sessions stay relevant and can shift as progress is made.
Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls are useful for in-depth conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can be lower bandwidth and easier to fit into a work break. Live chat and text-based messaging work well for brief check-ins, journaling-style reflection, or when a written conversation feels easier. Together these options make it simpler to keep regular contact and try new strategies without a long commute.
Questions people ask about Augustine
What kinds of concerns can be addressed here?
Dr. Bessong works with a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, ADHD, addictions, anger, and relationship or intimacy-related issues.
What is his general therapeutic style?
He takes a warm, interactive approach that emphasizes listening, respect, and collaboration. Sessions focus on practical steps and clear conversation rather than labels.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has 22 years of professional experience working in various mental health settings and with diverse client concerns.
What are his credentials and where is he located?
He holds the LPC credential and practices in New Jersey.
Can sessions be held in other languages or with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English, and he accepts international clients for online work.
What session formats does he offer?
He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and preferences.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to work together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling based on therapist availability.