Gretchen Raring

Compassionate, practical therapy for real-life change

LICSW, LCSW New Jersey

Experience: 24 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Gretchen

Gretchen Raring welcomes people looking for practical, compassionate support to manage stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, mood concerns, and life transitions. She emphasizes a collaborative relationship that balances emotional understanding with actionable tools, helping clients translate insight into daily changes that feel manageable and meaningful.

Background and approach

With 24 years of clinical experience, Gretchen integrates evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) alongside Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based, Client-Centered, and Emotionally-Focused techniques to tailor care to each person’s situation.

She draws on a background in community and clinical settings to address issues including addiction, trauma, grief, intimacy-related concerns, parenting challenges, chronic health stressors, and occupational or caregiving strain. Gretchen holds LICSW and LCSW credentials and practices from New Jersey.

Her style combines warmth and authenticity with straightforward strategies, and she works with clients to identify strengths, set realistic goals, and build skills that support long-term wellbeing.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Access

Gretchen commonly draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to guide online work. CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, offering skills for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and many day-to-day challenges. ACT emphasizes values-based action and acceptance skills to help clients live in ways that matter to them despite difficult thoughts or feelings.

She also uses attachment-informed and emotionally focused ideas to help clients improve connection and understand relational patterns when relevant. Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process; Gretchen collaborates with each person to explore options, tailor interventions to individual goals, and adjust techniques as needs evolve so care fits the client rather than the other way around.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, providing flexibility for people with busy schedules or limited mobility. These formats make it easier to maintain continuity of care, practice skills between sessions, and access support from home while working together on concrete strategies and relational or emotional goals.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Gretchen commonly address?

She works with a broad range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy troubles, addiction, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting and caregiving stress, sleep problems, bipolar mood concerns, and ADHD among other areas.

What is her therapeutic approach and style?

The approach blends client-centered warmth with practical, evidence-informed methods such as CBT, ACT, attachment-based work, and emotionally focused strategies to combine emotional understanding with concrete skills.

How much clinical experience does she have?

Gretchen brings 24 years of experience working across mental health, addiction, and community settings, supporting people through a wide variety of life and clinical challenges.

What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?

She holds LICSW and LCSW credentials with license details MA LICSW LICSW124622 and ND LCSW 6418, and she practices in New Jersey.

Does she provide services in other languages or to international clients?

Services are offered in English only, and she is not currently accepting international clients.

Which session formats are available for working together?

Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on what fits the client’s needs and her availability.

How is cost and scheduling handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to begin working with her?

Prospective clients select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist’s availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteem Depression Coping with life changes

Also works with

AddictionsFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse GriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoachingCompassion fatigue ADHD

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

Licensed

New Jersey, Florida, Massachusetts, North Dakota, Arizona

Languages

English