Gretchen Raring, LICSW, LCSW
Compassionate LICSW for relationship and stress support
- Anxiety and stress
- Relationships and couples
- Trauma and grief
About Gretchen Raring
Gretchen Raring is a licensed clinical social worker with 24 years of experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, relationships, depression, addiction, trauma, grief, and life transitions. She holds both LICSW and LCSW credentials - Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Social Worker - and earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Temple University. Based in New Jersey, she has supported teens, adults, older adults, couples, and members of veteran and other vulnerable populations across settings that have included mental health, addiction, homelessness, and incarceration.
Gretchen centers her work on acceptance, authenticity, and collaboration, blending warmth with practical tools so clients can both explore their inner experience and build concrete skills. Her approach is adaptable and responsive; she meets people where they are while recognizing individual strengths, needs, and goals. Using a combination of evidence-informed methods and a client-centered stance, she partners with clients to identify strategies that promote sustainable change and deeper self-understanding. The therapeutic relationship is treated as a shared process - one in which clients are supported to make meaningful choices and to develop lasting coping skills for everyday challenges.
Gretchen centers her work on acceptance, authenticity, and collaboration, blending warmth with practical tools so clients can both explore their inner experience and build concrete skills. Her approach is adaptable and responsive; she meets people where they are while recognizing individual strengths, needs, and goals. Using a combination of evidence-informed methods and a client-centered stance, she partners with clients to identify strategies that promote sustainable change and deeper self-understanding. The therapeutic relationship is treated as a shared process - one in which clients are supported to make meaningful choices and to develop lasting coping skills for everyday challenges.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
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 Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy Systemic Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Gretchen Raring have?
Gretchen Raring has 24 years of experience in social work and clinical practice.
Is Gretchen Raring a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds the credentials LICSW and LCSW. License details include MA LICSW LICSW124622 and ND LCSW 6418.
In which languages does Gretchen Raring provide therapy?
Gretchen Raring provides therapy in English.
Where is Gretchen Raring located?
Gretchen Raring is located in New Jersey.
How can I work with Gretchen Raring as my therapist?
You can work with Gretchen Raring through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Gretchen Raring work with international clients?
Gretchen Raring does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Gretchen Raring cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care
Gretchen draws from approaches that combine practical skills with compassionate presence. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - ACT helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, while encouraging action that aligns with personal values; it is often helpful for anxiety, stress, and life changes. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on building a trusting, nonjudgmental relationship in which the therapist reflects and supports the client’s own capacity for growth, making it useful for self-esteem, relationship concerns, and grief. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT provides concrete strategies to identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, which can be effective for depression, anxiety, sleep concerns, and coping with cravings.Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Gretchen collaborates with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting strategies as progress unfolds so therapy remains relevant and useful.
Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility to fit therapy into busy schedules and varied lifestyles. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, access support from home or on the go, and choose the format that feels most comfortable for each stage of the work.