Therapist Gretchen  Raring Photo

Gretchen Raring, LCSW, LICSW

Stress, Anxiety Relationships Trauma, Abuse Self esteem, Motivation Depression
Video Phone Live Chat Messaging

About me

My name is Gretchen Raring and I am a dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-NJ, FL, AZ & ND, LICSW-MA). I received my Master's Degree in Social Work at Temple University in Philadelphia. I have over 20 years experience of specializing in treatment, outreach, and engagement with the mental health, addiction, homeless, incarcerated and/or veteran's population. Clinical managerial and program development experiences focusing on the seriously mentally ill involved in the Criminal Justice System. My key strengths are successful in outpatient therapy, community outreach, community collaboration leader, and history of successful program development.

As a therapist, I believe in therapeutic relationships based on deep acceptance, genuineness and collaboration towards personal development. I believe the needs and abilities of each individual are different and work with you to determine what approaches and techniques are most in line with your needs and strengths. My goal through therapy is to empower and motivate you to make positive changes towards the goals established while we are learning how to have a better understanding of ourselves. In my work with individuals, teenagers, young adults, families and couples, I use an eclectic approach depending on what will be effective. This may include humanistic therapy, CBT, trauma recovery model, supportive therapy, psycho-dynamic, integrative and/or emotion focused therapy. Please reference the full list below of the different therapeutic approaches that I use depending on the goals that are established together in therapy.

I specialize in the treatment of mood and adjustment disorders, anxiety disorders, depression, grief and loss and PTSD. Prioritizing self first by focusing on building and/or strengthening your self-esteem, self-love, self-care, silencing inner critic and/or work towards finding your authentic self. Please see the full list below that outlines what areas of experience and focus items we can work towards together as a team. I recognize and respect the courage it takes to make that first step and seek help, and it is a privilege to me to accompany you/teen/couple/family on your journey.


Professional experience

24yrs in practice
Stress, Anxiety Relationships Trauma, Abuse Self esteem, Motivation Depression

Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Family conflicts, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Aging and geriatric issues, Antisocial personality, Attachment issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Blended family issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain, illness, and disability, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with natural or human-caused disaster, Dependent personality, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Drug and alcohol addiction, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Fatherhood issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Intellectual disability, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Men's issues, Midlife crisis, Military and veterans issues, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders, Multicultural concerns, Narcissism, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Paranoia, Personality disorders, Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships, Postpartum depression, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy and childbirth, Prejudice and discrimination, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-harm, Self-love, Sexuality, Smoking / vaping cessation, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young adult issues

Clinical approaches: 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

Services offered

Video
Phone
Live Chat
Messaging

License information

NJ LCSW 44SC05318800

MA LICSW 124622

ND LCSW 6418

AZ LCSW LCSW-21898

FL LCSW SW15156

Reviews

These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Gretchen Raring. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.

Gretchen helped me find balance throughout a very dark time, in my personal growth. I really lucked out, finding her on BetterHelp!

Written on Nov 04, 2024 after therapy with Gretchen for 8 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, and adhd

I am still getting to know Gretchen; so far I like her and she is a great listener.

Written on Aug 21, 2024 after therapy with Gretchen for 4 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, intimacy-related issues, and coping with life changes

So far Gretchen has been great! I haven't been able to engage as much as I'd like due to my schedule. She's very understanding and has been a help with self reflection and things I've been working on.

Written on Jul 11, 2024 after therapy with Gretchen for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, coping with life changes, and adhd

She hears me out. Everything I have to say to express myself she’s just there to hear me out and guide me into things that will help me and to a better path. She’s great she’s a reason why I’m getting through in a good way on what I’m going though. She’s amazing

Written on Jul 06, 2024 after therapy with Gretchen for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, and adhd

Gretchen has been an important support for me. Attentive, responsive and caring.

Written on Jun 22, 2024 after therapy with Gretchen for 2 years and 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, and self esteem

So far Gretchen has been very kind and supportive - I have only had 2 sessions but she has encouraged me to take classes which I have enjoyed a lot and find so helpful and educational! I feel just making the connection with Betterhelp has gotten me into a better place already. Love the tools, love the class instructors, lots of materials out there for everybody.

Written on Jun 06, 2024 after therapy with Gretchen for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and coping with life changes