- Collaborative approach
- Practical strategies
- Values driven
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 to sessions and aims to help people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, grief, addiction concerns, and life transitions. Gretchen uses a straightforward style that blends listening with practical steps to help people move forward.
She takes a collaborative, warm approach. Sessions focus on what matters most to the individual and combine emotional understanding with hands-on tools. Techniques may include helping clients notice patterns, clarify values, set manageable goals, and practice skills between appointments.
Gretchen has worked in settings that include mental health, addiction, homelessness, incarceration, and veteran services. That history informs a flexible way of working and a readiness to adapt methods to meet different life situations. She emphasizes respect, authenticity, and a steady, nonjudgmental presence.
Therapy with her often mixes talking through feelings and practical exercises aimed at daily life. She can help people who want support with parenting strain, career stress, compassion fatigue, ADHD-related concerns, or intimacy and attachment issues. The goal is to help clients build clearer direction and more manageable routines.
People who choose her can expect sessions that balance empathy with concrete next steps. She supports growth by identifying strengths, testing small changes, and tracking progress over time.
She takes a collaborative, warm approach. Sessions focus on what matters most to the individual and combine emotional understanding with hands-on tools. Techniques may include helping clients notice patterns, clarify values, set manageable goals, and practice skills between appointments.
Gretchen has worked in settings that include mental health, addiction, homelessness, incarceration, and veteran services. That history informs a flexible way of working and a readiness to adapt methods to meet different life situations. She emphasizes respect, authenticity, and a steady, nonjudgmental presence.
Therapy with her often mixes talking through feelings and practical exercises aimed at daily life. She can help people who want support with parenting strain, career stress, compassion fatigue, ADHD-related concerns, or intimacy and attachment issues. The goal is to help clients build clearer direction and more manageable routines.
People who choose her can expect sessions that balance empathy with concrete next steps. She supports growth by identifying strengths, testing small changes, and tracking progress over time.
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
How her approaches translate to online therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice painful thoughts and feelings and commit to actions that reflect their values. It is often useful for stress, anxiety, and making life changes when a person wants clearer direction. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and changing behaviors that keep problems going. CBT can help with depression, anxiety, sleep issues, and managing mood swings. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) centers on emotions and relationship patterns, and it can help with intimacy-related issues and improving how people connect with others.Choosing an approach is part of the work together. Gretchen will collaborate with each person to identify which methods fit their goals and preferences. She adapts tools to the client’s needs and checks in regularly to make sure the plan feels helpful.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm available options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow check-ins during a workday or between commitments. Different formats also accommodate quieter conversations, shorter progress reviews, or longer exploratory sessions depending on what the client needs and what the therapist offers.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
Gretchen works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy concerns, grief, addictions, ADHD, and coping with life changes.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is client-centered and collaborative, blending emotional support with practical tools such as goal setting, skills practice, and values clarification.
How much experience does she have?
She brings 24 years of experience from settings that include mental health, addiction services, homelessness support, incarceration-related work, and veteran services.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds the credentials LICSW and LCSW and practices in New Jersey.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions paid for?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start working with her?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.