Therapy for Individuals and Parents
Support for Peak Performers — Get Back to Your Best
Located in Bergen County, providing trauma-informed, CBT, and EMDR mental health therapies and educational consulting (in-person and virtual).
Individuals Who Want to:
Manage anxiety for performers, athletes, musicians, scholars, and other peak performers
Gain tools for emotional and behavioral challenges
Receive guidance navigating IEPs, 504s & school communication, including ADHD, autism, or learning differences
Dismantle Performance Anxiety, inhibiting excellence (known as the YIPS)
Build a stronger connection with their child and other family members (including partners)
Services
Supporting a range of mental health diagnoses, these sessions help with underlying mental health challenges (anxiety, depression, trauma, etc).
For parents: Work on understanding your child’s behavior, reducing stress, and building emotional tools.
A 6-week program for parents geared towards four key goals:
Stabilize: Determine what is stressing you out and provide immediate relief.
Observe: Understand children’s needs through a strengths-based lens
Align: Restore confidence and build advocacy tools
Rebuild: Create a parent-maintenance plan with identity work and stress prevention
EMDR Peak Performance helps you release mental blocks, sharpen focus, and perform at your highest level—without anxiety getting in the way.
What is Parent Therapy?
Never heard of this…you are not alone.
Parenting requires no degree or training, and yet you are doing one of the most challenging “jobs.”
Parent therapy is a supportive, therapeutic space where parents learn tools, gain clarity, and work through the stress, emotions, and challenges that come with raising a child—especially one with unique needs-while also taking care of their own emotional wellbeing.
It’s not about “fixing” the parent.
It’s about giving them what they need so the whole family can function better.
What is EMDR Therapy?
Never heard of this…you are not alone.
EMDR helps your brain release the stress, pressure, and old emotional reactions that get in the way of showing up as the parent—or high performer—you want to be. Instead of staying stuck in worry, overwhelm, or self-doubt, EMDR gently helps your mind process those responses so they stop taking over in the moment. Many parents find they’re able to respond with more calm and patience, and high achievers often notice clearer focus, more confidence, and less pressure weighing on them. You don’t have to talk in circles or relive anything painful; EMDR simply helps your brain let go of what’s been holding you back so you can show up grounded, present, and capable in the parts of life that matter most. At SOAR, EMDR supports you in rising into your strongest, most centered self—at home and in your performance world.
Testimonials
“Therapy with Nan has been life-changing. I tell my friends that everyone needs a Nan in their life. Nan changed my perspective in a way I never thought possible. To work with Nan is a gift; I am grateful for the impact she has made in every aspect of my life!”
“Nan helped me turn years of negative self-talk into believing, pushing, and celebrating myself. Nan is relatable and down to earth. She is always researching and learning, then passing her knowledge so you understand your thoughts and feelings.”
“Counseling allowed me to have a safe place where I could feel comfortable talking about my struggles while learning strategies to work on overcoming my anxiety and mental health struggles.”
What Makes My Approach Different
• 25 years in education and a PhD in Education
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Parent of middle & high school kids
• Specialized in neurodiversity, anxiety, behavior, and school systems
You get clinical support, educational expertise, and real-world parent understanding—all in one place.
Facts
For those receiving mental health counseling, the following insurances are in-network:
-Aetna
-Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield
-Cigna
To directly schedule appointments, go to this link:
About
Nan Kurz, PhD, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor specializing in trauma-informed care, high-achievement stress, and peak performance therapy. She works with athletes, performers, high-achieving students, and families navigating anxiety, burnout, and performance-related challenges. Nan integrates evidence-based approaches, including CBT, EMDR, and performance enhancement strategies to support both psychological well-being and sustained excellence. She is the founder of SOAR Educational and Mental Health Therapy and brings a dual background in clinical practice and education to her work.
For more information: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1614311
