Joshua Nelson, LMFT

Joshua Nelson, LMFT
243 Rugby Road Brooklyn, NY 11226
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Consumer Feedback

(34 Reviews)
Service
4 star average for Service
Environment
4 star average for Environment
Expertise
3 star average for Expertise
Staff
4.5 star average for Staff
Recommended
2.5 star average for Recommended
Value
2.5 star average for Value
I would highly recommend Josh for anyone, as he is knowledgeable, kind, patient, practical and personal. My boyfriend and I had the pleasure of starting to see Josh last year. We decided to seek therapy as a "preventative measure" before we had any serious issues in our relationship. I am so happy that we chose to see him, as he was the best experience that both of us has had in therapy or counseling. He was able to see the underlying tensions in our relationship and how to handle these before they became too large; that we had not even picked up on ourselves.
We constantly use what he has taught us throughout our relationship, including his suggestions on communication styles and understanding each other more thoroughly. If it wasn't for him, I believe we would not be nearly as happy as we are nor have such a deep loving connection, as he gave us the tools for a wildly successful relationship. Thank you Josh!! I can't praise him enough!!
by Donna Bennett xxx.xxx.47.69
October 01, 2014
I've been holding back on writing this review because the session left me so traumatized that I couldn't conjure up the words to draft the review. I wish that I had taken a look at some of the reviews before my husband and I went to see him but it does look like some of the reviews were similar in timing to theirs.

I have met many counselors and I could not agree more (see below "Why would I write my name?") , our session with Joshua Nelson was the worst experience. I came there hoping that he would listen and try to be constructive with his input and responses and be an educator in how to communicate (which is so clearly described on his website) but unfortunately we were only met with his condescending and rude questions and comments. I felt as if we were in an interrogation throughout the entire session and I had to leave the session early because it felt so terrible. I could no longer sit and listen to everything fall apart. I understand we all have bad days but it looks like this is a situation that has happened far more often than that. I'd searched for such a long time to find someone who appeared to be compassionate, who followed similar approaches to marriage counseling that I had felt comfortable with in my reading but I this could not have been further from the the experience. Not only am I left with a marriage falling apart, I am left to deal with the aftermath of this experience. This is a "professional" who needs to re-think his profession. If you're hope in seeking a marriage counselor is support, and keys to communication, please look elsewhere.

by traumatized xxx.xxx.100.123
September 15, 2014
We started seeing Josh about 10 months ago. My boyfriend and I have been together for 5 years. We love each other very much, but there were issues that we couldn't seem to resolve on our own because we didn't have unbiased views or the tools to moderate arguments/disputes. We realized we needed professional help to get through some difficult issues that we were going through.

We never intended to fight or hurt each other. But when we fought, Josh provided a safe place for us to voice our feelings and listen to each other. He helped us explore the root cause of our arguments. During the process not only have I learned so much about my partner, I've learned a lot about myself and the origins to why I react to different situations. We found new appreciation for each other, learned to communicate better and most important of all how to handle an argument. It took more than a few sessions over months to get to where we are. At times we were at an impasse and felt that there's nothing we could do to turnaround the issues, Josh encouraged us and gave us the tools to continue working on our issues outside of our sessions.
by Linda Rodriguez xxx.xxx.12.28
August 07, 2014
Terrible. God awful. The worst. I'd be shocked if there were a more despicable counselor out there than Joshua Nelson. My wife and I went to him because we were struggling, and needed some help at getting to the root of our problems. Pretty basic reason for seeking a marriage counselor. After looking at Nelson's website, he seemed like a good, experienced professional. I was drawn to his training in emotionally focused therapy (or so he claims) which strikes me as the only approach to marriage counseling that a) makes sense and b) achieves results.

Unfortunately, the lumbering dullard that we met in the parlor room of his home in Brooklyn could not be further removed from the therapist I would have imagined based on his website. Nor was he anything like any therapist I could imagine (and I had to imagine since I'd never before been to a therapist). Rude. Condescending. Judgmental. Impatient. Vulgar. Oh, yes, all these things and more just within the first 20 minutes. One visit was enough for me. Really, how can a "counselor" who lacks empathy move us to be empathetic and validating of our partner? How can a "counselor" who is so judgmental actually do emotionally focused therapy which is, like just about all therapy, non-judgmental? How can a "counselor" who is so poor at communication teach us how to communicate better?

The reviews here are all very curious. Half of them register responses similar to mine, while the other half (piled on in suspicious abundance within the last few months) speak in glowing terms of a man who parted the waters and saved their marriages. This leads me to wonder, does Nelson have a bias toward some couples? Is he on some lame power trip in his Brooklyn "office" and then becomes a real profession when he meets people in his Manhattan office? Did he have a fight with his wife before he met with us? Was he constipated?

I don't know, nor do I care. All I know is that he was no professional by any stretch of the imagination. And, if the miserable waste of an hour wasn't enough, Nelson also pulls a nice insurance scam on you. When you question it, he responds with authority. When you complain to your insurance provider, he sheepishly returns your money. That speaks volumes, doesn't it? How can you trust a counselor (or any service provider) who scams you before you get in the door?
by why would I write my name? xxx.xxx.246.24
July 16, 2014
This review is long overdue. Me and my wife had been going through a very rocky patch for a while and it seemed as though our marriage was on the outs. When we discovered that she was pregnant in August of 2013 we decided that we had to get our situation figured out and that we should begin couples therapy. I can honestly that Josh helped save our marriage. When we started seeing him we were ready to divorce. Now when we go in things have gotten so good between us that we find little to complain about because things have gotten so good now. He brought us from a stage of near destruction in our relationship to a stage of rekindled love and a life of happiness together. I have nothing but good things to say about Josh.
by Oliver Keller xxx.xxx.242.12
June 18, 2014
Josh was referred to us by our friends during a huge marriage crisis. In just a matter of a few months Josh was able to give us the tools to really work through this time both in and out of his office. I really appreciate Josh's style and it worked very well for us. He has a process lined up for each sessions and a structure set up so I felt we accomplished small steps each week that led to our healing. The tools he gave us we will hopefully continue to use even when we are finished seeing Josh. I also liked that he had an end in mind for us in terms of number of sessions and was really able to adjust his style for us individually. I would refer Josh to anyone at anytime.
by Donna xxx.xxx.81.92
June 05, 2014
I was stunned at how awful our appointment was. My fiance and I were interested in pre-marital counseling, and after speaking to Dr. Nelson on the phone I was confident he would be a good fit for us.
I couldn't have been more wrong. Within minutes I wanted to get up and leave. He is a horrible listener and often interjects while you are speaking. If either of us took some time to answer a question, he would sigh loudly. At first he gave us this attitude of "why are you here." Since we were seeking pre-marital counseling, our relationship is quite good, but the questions he asked were more aimed at couples who are headed for divorce. This was confusing for us, and it made him impatient. He made us feel like we were answering his questions incorrectly. When my fiance suggested that maybe he could listen to me more, he interjected, saying, "no, that's not it."
He would ask questions that made us feel judged, like "why did you wait 6 years to get married?" His tone of voice and body language were condescending and we felt judged. When we finally did something that he deemed "correct," he said "you have finally had an interaction of some substance today."
I can't imagine how I would have felt if my relationship were in real trouble and I sought help from Dr. Nelson. He made both of us feel not only uncomfortable, but berated and belittled.
I should add that at the end of the appointment he told me our copay was $120, and it was actually $30. I'm glad I had looked that up before my visit. We will not be returning.
by Meredith xxx.xxx.184.90
June 04, 2014
Did this psychologist rush your appointment?
No, I was able to ask as many questions as I wanted
Did this provider thoroughly explain the risks and benefits of your treatment?
Yes
Was the provider's staff helpful and knowledgeable?
Yes
Did the waiting room smell clean?
Yes
Did you feel that your waiting time was acceptable?
Absolutely
by Steven Rubenstein xxx.xxx.47.236
May 01, 2014
Josh essentially saved my marriage. We are so fortunate to have found him when we were in such a bad place and desperate for guidance. We were struggling with everything from financial problems to infertility issues to a severe lack of connection between us. Josh has an unbelievable ability to see through the malaise of problems and get to the heart of the issue. He never makes you feel like he is taking sides and inspires you to want to keep trying and to get better in your relationship. In just one session I saw an unbelievable change in us as a couple. Certain things I really needed from my husband and kept asking for over many months began to happen after we started seeing Josh. In return, I made big changes as well for my husband. In just six sessions, we were a whole new couple and so much more connected and happy.

I highly recommend you reach out to Josh Nelson if you need someone to talk to about your marriage or any life situation that is making you unhappy. He is an amazing therapist and I promise you that you will not regret it!
by Martha Dickerson xxx.xxx.21.148
April 09, 2014
I've done my fair share of counseling over the years. All therapists seem to have their own style. What I loved about Josh Nelson is, from the get-go, I felt he understood what was going on and offered us goals to work toward. We received a perceptive, caring and honest response to our situation, even if it stings sometimes, I really appreciate the feedback and down-to-earth approach. Both my husband and I felt like Josh cared about us equally, and was able to approach/communicate with us in a way that made sense. If you want to get a tune-up in your relationship or a deep cleaning, I wouldn't go to anyone else.
by Maya xxx.xxx.211.173
March 24, 2014
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