Therapist
Gretchen Raring
LICSW, LCSW
Experienced LICSW blending warmth and practical tools
Continue with Gretchen
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Step 1
- Acceptance-based methods
- Cognitive tools
- Collaborative care
About Gretchen
Gretchen Raring is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in New Jersey. She brings 24 years of experience supporting people through anxiety, depression, relationship strain, stress, and life changes. Gretchen offers a calm, direct style and focuses on helping individuals find practical steps they can use day to day.
Her work centers on building an accepting, honest therapeutic relationship. She combines warmth with practical skills so clients leave sessions with clear tools. Conversations often cover coping strategies, communication skills, and ways to manage mood and stress.
Gretchen uses several evidence-informed approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Attachment-Based Therapy. She adapts these methods to each person’s needs and helps pick strategies that fit real life. Sessions balance understanding emotional patterns with practicing new behaviors.
Her background spans community mental health, addiction services, homelessness supports, and work with people involved in the justice system. She earned a Master of Social Work from Temple University. Those experiences shaped a practical, strengths-based approach to clinical work.
Gretchen works with adults, teens, older adults, and couples, focusing on issues such as trauma, grief, ADHD, addictions, and caregiver stress. She emphasizes collaboration and helps people set manageable goals. To begin, readers should confirm current session options before booking.
Her work centers on building an accepting, honest therapeutic relationship. She combines warmth with practical skills so clients leave sessions with clear tools. Conversations often cover coping strategies, communication skills, and ways to manage mood and stress.
Gretchen uses several evidence-informed approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Attachment-Based Therapy. She adapts these methods to each person’s needs and helps pick strategies that fit real life. Sessions balance understanding emotional patterns with practicing new behaviors.
Her background spans community mental health, addiction services, homelessness supports, and work with people involved in the justice system. She earned a Master of Social Work from Temple University. Those experiences shaped a practical, strengths-based approach to clinical work.
Gretchen works with adults, teens, older adults, and couples, focusing on issues such as trauma, grief, ADHD, addictions, and caregiver stress. She emphasizes collaboration and helps people set manageable goals. To begin, readers should confirm current session options before booking.
Step 2
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
AddictionsFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional focus areas
AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexualityWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapySystemic Therapy
Experience
24+ years
Credentials
New Jersey, Florida, Massachusetts, North Dakota, Arizona
Languages
English
Step 3
How her approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and commit to actions that match their values. It is useful for anxiety, depression, and adjusting to life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying patterns of thinking and behavior that keep problems going and learning concrete skills to change them. It often helps with worry, sleep difficulties, and low mood. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationship patterns affect present connections and helps improve communication and emotional closeness.Choosing a therapeutic approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. Together they select or blend methods and check in regularly to make sure the work is helping and adjust as needed.
This therapist’s session formats are not specified here, so readers should confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into busy lives, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. Some formats work better when bandwidth is limited or when a client wants a phone-based conversation instead of video. Licensed professionals can adapt ACT, CBT, and attachment-focused work to online sessions so clients can practice new skills between meetings.
Step 4
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She helps with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, trauma and abuse, addictions, ADHD, parenting strain, caregiver stress, and related concerns.
What is her general therapeutic style?
She offers a client-centered, accepting approach that combines warmth with practical strategies and collaborative goal setting.
What experience does she bring to sessions?
Gretchen has 24 years of experience working in mental health, addiction services, homelessness, incarceration settings, and with veterans.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds LICSW and LCSW credentials and practices out of New Jersey.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
Step 5