A clinical model built on a systems approach to healing attachment wounds.

Shim Frankel is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Sex Addiction Therapist with more than 15 years of experience providing individual and couples therapy. Over his career he has treated a wide range of mental health and relationship concerns, and has focused increasingly on addiction and recovery work.

Shim earned his Master's Degree in Social Work and is licensed in New Jersey as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). His training has included extensive study in both substance and process addictions. He completed the required coursework for New York State CASAC and New Jersey LCADC credentials, and later pursued advanced specialization in compulsive sexual behavior, sex addiction, betrayal trauma, and relationship recovery.

Shim trained in the development and application of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy directly with Drs. Aaron and Judith Beck at the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Philadelphia. He later received advanced training from Dr. Patrick Carnes and Dr. Stephanie Carnes through the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP), becoming a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT).

Before entering full-time private practice, Shim worked in a number of clinical settings. At Jersey Shore University Medical Center, he provided individual treatment and intensive outpatient group therapy through Addiction Recovery Services. He also served on the multidisciplinary clinical team at The Rugby School at Woodfield, an out-of-district behavioral school serving children and adolescents in grades K–12.

Today, Shim works with adults and couples on trauma, addiction, and infidelity. That includes individuals seeking recovery, and spouses and couples trying to understand what happened and figure out what repair can realistically look like.

Shim has deep respect for the diversity of the people he works with, and for the religious, cultural, family, and community values that shape their lives. When it's appropriate, he integrates those values and the principles of 12-step recovery into the work.

Underlying it is a straightforward belief: people are capable of change. Even when a person or a relationship has been badly hurt by addiction, secrecy, betrayal, or years of unhealthy patterns, people can take responsibility, repair what can be repaired, and move forward.

“Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” — Mary Anne Radmacher

Shim can be contacted at counseling@shimonfrankel.com.