Gretchen Raring
LCSW, 24 years of experience
New to Grow
About me
My name is Gretchen Raring, and I am a dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-NJ, FL, AZ & ND; LICSW-MA). I earned my Master’s Degree in Social Work from Temple University in Philadelphia, and bring over 20 years of experience supporting individuals across a wide range of settings—including mental health, addiction, homelessness, incarceration, and veteran populations. My background includes extensive work in outpatient therapy, community outreach, interagency collaboration, and program development. As a therapist, I value a therapeutic relationship rooted in acceptance, authenticity, and meaningful collaboration. I recognize that each person’s needs, strengths, and abilities are unique. Together, we will identify the approaches and techniques that best align with your goals and support your growth. My aim is to empower you to make positive, sustainable changes while deepening your understanding of yourself. In my work with individuals, teens, young adults, couples, and families, I use an eclectic and flexible therapeutic style tailored to what will be most effective for you. I specialize in helping clients learn to prioritize themselves—strengthening self-esteem, building self-love and self-care practices, quieting the inner critic, and reconnecting with their authentic self.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session, we’ll take time to get to know each other. I’ll share my therapeutic style and approach, and we’ll talk about what brings you to therapy at this time. Together, we’ll begin outlining a plan that supports your goals and needs. This is a collaborative process—we’ll work as a team from the very start.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
As a therapist, I am known for my deep compassion, authenticity, and the ability to create a safe, non-judgmental space where clients feel truly seen and heard. I bring over two decades of experience, yet I remain grounded, genuine, and approachable in every session. Clients often describe me as patient, insightful, and deeply attuned to their emotional needs. I am collaborative by nature and believe strongly in working with you, not just for you. My style blends warmth with practicality—I help you explore your inner world while also offering concrete tools and strategies that support real, lasting change. I’m adaptable, responsive, and skilled at meeting clients exactly where they are. Above all, my commitment is to empower you. Whether we are strengthening your sense of self, unpacking challenges, or building new skills, I show up with consistency, respect, and a genuine belief in your ability to grow and thrive.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
My ideal client values collaboration and understands that meaningful progress comes from working together. We focus on the direction of growth, not the speed—honoring your pace while moving steadily toward your goals. "You deserve a therapist who sees you as an equal partner in your healing. My collaborative approach gives you space to be heard, supported, and empowered. If you’re seeking a therapeutic relationship built on trust, communication, and teamwork, I’d be honored to work with you. Schedule your first session with me, and we’ll begin this journey together, working side by side to build clarity, strengthen your resilience, and create meaningful change.”
Specialties
Top specialties
Other specialties
I identify as
Serves ages
My treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, I work with clients to identify and understand the connections between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This approach is structured, evidence-based, and practical, helping you recognize unhelpful thought patterns and replace them with more balanced, constructive ways of thinking. Together, we explore how your beliefs and interpretations of situations may be influencing your feelings and actions. I guide you in developing practical strategies and skills to manage stress, reduce negative thinking, and make positive behavioral changes. CBT is goal-oriented and collaborative, giving you tools to address current challenges while building long-term resilience.
Couples Counseling
In couples therapy, I create a balanced and supportive space where both partners feel heard, respected, and understood. My approach focuses on helping you identify unhelpful patterns, improve communication, and rebuild emotional connection. Together, we work to understand each partner’s inner world—their needs, fears, expectations, and hopes—and how these shape the dynamic between you. I guide couples in slowing down reactive cycles, learning to speak with honesty and compassion, and listening with curiosity rather than defensiveness. Using evidence-based techniques, I help you strengthen trust, increase emotional safety, and develop healthier ways to navigate conflict. Couples therapy with me is collaborative, structured, and growth-oriented. I do not take sides; instead, I support both partners in becoming a stronger team. My goal is to help you cultivate deeper understanding, reconnect with your values, and build the kind of relationship you want to live in—one rooted in clarity, respect, and connection.
Positive Psychology
I use Positive Psychology to help you build on your existing strengths, cultivate resilience, and create a more fulfilling and meaningful life. This approach is not about ignoring challenges or “staying positive at all costs.” Instead, it focuses on identifying what is already working within you and using those strengths to support healing, growth, and long-term well-being. Together, we explore your values, strengths, and sources of meaning—helping you reconnect with the parts of yourself that inspire confidence, motivation, and purpose. I guide you in developing habits that enhance emotional balance, gratitude, self-compassion, and optimism grounded in reality.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
In Solution-Focused Therapy, I work with clients to identify goals, strengths, and resources rather than dwelling on problems. This approach is practical, collaborative, and future-focused, emphasizing what is possible and what can be done to create positive change. Together, we clarify what you want to achieve and explore the small, actionable steps that can move you toward your goals. I help you recognize patterns of success you may already have and build on them to create solutions that fit your life and values.
Strength-Based
In Strengths-Based Therapy, I focus on identifying and building upon your unique strengths, talents, and resources rather than concentrating solely on problems or deficits. This approach is empowering and collaborative, helping you recognize the abilities you already possess and how they can support growth, resilience, and positive change. Together, we explore your personal strengths and learn how to apply them to challenges, set meaningful goals, and create solutions that align with your values. By highlighting what is already working in your life, we foster confidence, motivation, and a sense of agency.