Licensed to practice in 5 states and accepts 59 insurances. Specializes in Life Transitions, Mood Disorders, Self Esteem and 10 more.
Often rebooked
Clients say this provider is
Hi, I’m Gretchen Raring, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW: NJ, FL, AZ & ND; LICSW: MA) with 20+ years of experience in behavioral health. I work with teens through older adults, as well as couples, and have supported clients from many backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences. My practice is grounded in the belief that therapy should feel supportive and purposeful. My style is warm, direct, collaborative, and practical, and I see therapy as a team effort. I want you to feel comfortable being honest while feeling supported and challenged as you work toward change. My approach is structured but flexible. We’ll have a clear sense of direction while making room for what matters most. I use an eclectic approach based on your needs, strengths, and goals. I don’t believe therapy should feel one-size-fits-all. One of my strengths is being highly attuned and building the trust that allows deeper work. Together, we’ll connect the dots between your experiences, emotions, relationships, thoughts, and behaviors. We’ll identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck and develop practical strategies for everyday life. My background includes work across mental health, addiction, trauma, homelessness, the criminal justice system, and community-based behavioral health. I’ve worked with people during some of the most difficult times in their lives. Those experiences shape how I practice and reinforce my belief that there is always more to someone’s story than what you see on the surface. I believe progress is about the direction of our work, not the speed. Change often happens through small steps. I’m a strong believer in celebrating every win because those wins build confidence and momentum. Above all, I want therapy to be a place for honest conversations, deeper understanding, practical tools, and meaningful change—at a pace that works for you.
We’ll talk through your background, what’s been weighing on you, and what made you decide that now is the time to reach out. I’ll also share how I work and make sure you have plenty of space to ask questions. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to show up. My goal is for you to feel heard, understood, and met without judgment. From there, we’ll start connecting the dots, identifying what may be keeping you stuck, and shaping a plan that feels realistic, personalized, and aligned with what you want for your life.
My approach is collaborative, thoughtful, and focused on meaningful change. I bring compassion, authenticity, patience, and a strong ability to tune in to what clients need so they feel seen, understood, and comfortable enough to do deeper work. I see therapy as a team effort. I am supportive and direct, and I balance emotional insight with practical guidance so our work does not stop at understanding. Together, we identify patterns, make sense of what may be keeping you stuck, and develop strategies you can actually use in everyday life. My style is structured but flexible. We keep a clear sense of direction while adapting the pace and approach to your needs, strengths, experiences, and goals. What makes my approach stand out is the combination of depth and practicality. I want you to understand yourself more clearly, but I also want that insight to translate into real changes in how you think, respond, communicate, and move through your life.
I work best with individuals who feel stuck but know they’re capable of more. Many of my clients are navigating relationship challenges, career changes, life transitions, or periods of uncertainty where they know something needs to shift—even if they’re not yet sure what that looks like. They’re often thoughtful, capable people who appear to have things together on the outside but internally feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of their next step. They’re looking for more than surface-level advice. They want deeper understanding, practical direction, and support turning insight into meaningful change. My ideal clients are open to honest self-reflection, willing to have real conversations, and ready to take an active role in the process. Together, we identify patterns, strengthen self-awareness, and develop realistic strategies that translate into everyday life—so you can regain momentum and move toward the life you want to create.
Cash - $90 per session
Aetna
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Lucent Health
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Medicare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Ambetter Health
Amerihealth
Amerihealth Administrators
Amerihealth NJ Medicare Advantage
Anthem
Arlo
AvMed
Blue Benefit Administrators of Massachusetts (BBA)
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Cross Blue Shield - Medicare
Braven Health - Medicare
Centivo
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Evernorth
Golden Rule
GTEB
Harvard Pilgrim
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
HealthPartners
HealthPartners - Medicare
Horizon
Horizon - Medicare
Humana - Medicare
Humana Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Independence Keystone 65 HMO
Independence Personal Choice 65 PPO
Medica
Medicare
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Surest (formerly Bind)
Tufts Health
Tufts Health/Cigna
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Complete Care (C-SNP)
UnitedHealthcare Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicare
CBT helps you see how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. Together, we’ll identify patterns that may be holding you back and develop practical strategies to manage stress, reduce negative thinking, and create positive change. It’s collaborative, goal-focused, and gives you tools that last beyond our sessions
I use Positive Psychology to help you build on your existing strengths, cultivate inner strength, and create a more fulfilling, meaningful life. This approach isn’t about ignoring challenges or forcing positivity—it’s about noticing what’s already working within you and using those strengths to support growth and well-being. Together, we’ll explore your values, strengths, and sources of meaning, helping you reconnect with the parts of yourself that inspire confidence, motivation, and purpose. I’ll guide you in developing habits that enhance emotional balance, gratitude, self-compassion, and realistic optimism.
We focus on your goals, strengths, and resources rather than dwelling on problems. This practical, collaborative, and future-focused approach emphasizes what’s possible and how positive change can happen. Together, we’ll clarify what you want to achieve and identify small, actionable steps that move you toward your goals. I help you recognize patterns of success you already have and build on them to create solutions that fit your life and values.
This approach focuses on your unique strengths, talents, and resources rather than just problems. Together, we’ll explore what’s already working in your life, apply your strengths to challenges, set meaningful goals, and create solutions that fit your values. The result? Greater confidence, motivation, and a stronger sense of agency to shape the life you want.
Relationships can be one of the most meaningful-and most challenging-parts of our lives. If you and your partner feel stuck in the same patterns, disconnected, or unsure how to move forward, you’re not alone. I bring a warm, down-to-earth approach to our work and collaborate with both of you to better understand what’s happening beneath the surface-not just the arguments, but the patterns driving them. Together, we focus on improving communication, rebuilding connection, and creating a relationship that feels more supportive and understood. And if your path is leading toward separation, I also help couples navigate that transition with respect-especially when children are involved-so you can build a healthy, cooperative co-parenting relationship.
1 rating with written reviews
May 8, 2026
I just finished my first session with Gretchen. I already feel I made a great decision in choosing her to help guide me.