Therapist profile
Gretchen Raring, LICSW, LCSW
LICSW LCSW - Relationships and Parenting Focus
Continue with GretchenAbout
- ACT and CBT methods
- Attachment-based work
- Communication skills
About Gretchen
Gretchen Raring is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 24 years of experience. She practices in New Jersey and works with adults on a range of concerns including stress, anxiety, relationships, self-esteem, depression, parenting, addiction, grief, trauma and abuse, and coping with life changes.
She typically takes a practical, person-focused approach. Sessions combine listening with concrete tools. She helps people name what feels difficult and then tries small, workable changes that fit daily life. Her background includes work in mental health, addiction services, homelessness, incarceration, and with veterans.
Gretchen uses methods drawn from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Attachment-Based approaches, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, and Client-Centered Therapy. That mix is used to address emotion regulation, communication problems, patterns in relationships, and stress tied to caregiving or blended families.
People often bring worries about parenting, intimacy, or recurring conflict. Gretchen focuses on practical strategies and clearer communication. She also supports people facing chronic illness, aging and geriatric issues, codependency, and changes after separation or divorce.
Her practice is collaborative. She helps clients set clear goals and tries techniques that can be practiced between sessions. The work aims to reduce overwhelm and improve day-to-day functioning rather than promise specific outcomes.
How sessions work
How Gretchen's Approaches Translate to Online Work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on noticing thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then taking actions that align with personal values. It can help with anxiety, depression, and decisions tied to parenting or relationship priorities. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and offers practical skills for changing unhelpful patterns. That approach is useful for stress, sleep problems, and mood management. Attachment-Based Therapy attends to patterns in close relationships and helps people recognize and change repetitive interaction cycles that cause distance or conflict.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Gretchen works collaboratively to match techniques to a client's goals and preferences. Together they try approaches, check what helps, and adjust as needed rather than sticking to one method from the start.
The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm the current online options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into busy days, allow shorter check-ins when time is limited, and reduce travel time. These practical benefits can help people maintain consistency while learning skills for managing relationships, parenting stress, and everyday mood challenges.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
24+ years
Listed in
New Jersey, Florida, Massachusetts, North Dakota, Arizona
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with adults on stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, parenting challenges, grief, trauma and abuse, addiction, and related concerns listed in her profile.
What is her therapeutic style?
She blends listening with practical tools drawing on ACT, CBT, attachment-based ideas, EFT, and client-centered methods to help clients change patterns and manage emotions.
How much experience does she have?
She has 24 years of clinical experience across settings such as mental health, addiction services, homelessness, incarceration, and veteran care.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds MA LICSW and ND LCSW credentials and practices in New Jersey.
Can she work with non-English speakers or international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available?
Specific session formats are not listed in the biography; please confirm current session options before scheduling.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to work with her?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.