Jackie Canovan
I’m I’m Jackie, a licensed clinical social worker and addiction counselor with 19 years of experience. I trained at NYU Silver and have worked in community mental health, inpatient, outpatient, and private practice settings. My approach is warm, conversational, and down-to-earth. I work with adults navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, family-of-origin issues, and patterns that can leave them feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected from themselves.
First session
The first session is really about getting to know you beyond the paperwork. We’ll talk about what’s been going on, what feels hardest right now, and what you’re hoping will be different. I’ll ask questions about your history, relationships, and experiences that may help me understand the bigger picture, but you don’t have to unpack everything at once. By the end, we’ll have a better sense of what we want to focus on moving forward.
Strengths
I bring warmth, honesty, and a sense of humor into my sessions. I’m pretty down-to-earth, and I want therapy to feel like a conversation where you can actually be yourself. I work with a lot of adults who grew up in homes that were harder than they should have been. Maybe you learned to read the room, keep the peace, take care of everyone else, or be the “strong one.” Those patterns can follow you into adulthood and show up as anxiety, people-pleasing, difficulty setting boundaries, or feeling responsible for everyone around you. I’m curious about why we do the things we do, and I’ll help you start connecting those dots. We can look at where a pattern came from without spending every session talking about the past. Some days you may need space to talk and have someone really listen. Other days we might work through a situation, notice a pattern, or try something different. Therapy doesn’t have to look exactly the same every week.
Ideal clients
I I work with adults who feel anxious, overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of how to move forward. Many of my clients are used to being the strong one, putting other people’s needs first, or struggling to set boundaries without feeling guilty. Others grew up in families where a parent or loved one struggled with addiction, mental health concerns, or emotional availability, and they’re beginning to recognize how those experiences still affect them today. My ideal client doesn’t need to have everything figured out. You may know that something isn’t working anymore, but not know exactly what needs to change. Together, we’ll look at the patterns that keep showing up, understand where they come from, and work on practical ways to manage anxiety, build confidence, set healthier boundaries, and feel more like yourself.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have completed continuing education training through the Beck Institute, a leader in CBT, and I continue to integrate these skills into my work with clients. CBT helps us look at how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected, and gives us practical strategies to break unhelpful patterns. Together, we focus on building tools that you can use in your daily life to feel more balanced, confident, and in control.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I have completed DBT training through Psychwire and use these skills with clients across a variety of diagnoses. DBT helps us focus on building skills in mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. I integrate DBT strategies into our work together to help clients manage difficult emotions, navigate challenging relationships, and make meaningful changes in their daily lives.
Interpersonal
I am a certified Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) therapist. IPT can be especially helpful for individuals navigating loss, life transitions, or changes in important relationships. Together, we focus on understanding how your relationships and social context impact your mood, and we work on strategies to improve communication, manage emotions, and strengthen connections that support your well-being.
Psychoeducation
I use psychoeducation to help clients understand their mental health, including symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment options. By providing clear information and practical strategies, psychoeducation empowers clients to make informed decisions, better understand their experiences, and apply skills in daily life. It’s an important part of therapy that helps build insight, reduce uncertainty, and support long-term progress.
Trauma-Informed Care
I use a range of evidence-based approaches to support clients in managing life’s challenges and creating meaningful change. Trained in CBT through the Beck Institute and DBT via Psychwire, I help clients build practical skills in thought management, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. As a certified IPT therapist, I support clients navigating loss, life transitions, and relationship challenges, while psychoeducation helps them understand their mental health and treatment options. My approach is trauma-informed, incorporating IFS and other techniques to promote safety, resilience, and lasting growth.
Location
Virtual sessions
In-person sessions1000 NJ-34, Matawan, NJ 07747, Suite # 301
Identifies as
White
Woman
Top specialties
Anxiety
Depression
Life Transitions
Other specialties
Attachment Issues
Bipolar Disorder
Burnout
Childhood / Intergenerational Trauma
Emotional Regulation
Family Conflict
LGBTQ
Mood Disorders
Substance Misuse
Trauma and PTSD
Serves
Adults (18 to 64)
Individual Therapy
Doesn't specialize in
ADHD
Couples Counseling
Couples Counseling
Dissociative Disorders
Domestic Violence
Eating Disorders
Family Therapy
Family Therapy
Insomnia/Sleep Issues
Licensed in
New JerseyLicense 44SC06183400
New YorkLicense 085531