(she/her)
Hi, I’m Bria Goodwin, a licensed clinical social worker and the founder of Elevated Advocacy, LLC. I specialize in providing culturally responsive, trauma-informed care that supports individuals and families in navigating life’s challenges, healing from past experiences, and moving toward their goals. My practice integrates evidence-based approaches like CBT, motivational interviewing, and strength-based care to empower clients in a supportive, nonjudgmental space. I believe in the power of resilience, and I’m committed to walking alongside you on your journey to growth and wellness.
Our first session is all about creating a safe and welcoming space where you can begin to share your story at your own pace. I’ll start by reviewing some important information about confidentiality and the therapy process, and then we’ll begin to explore what brought you to therapy and what you hope to gain from our work together. You don’t need to have all the answers—just a willingness to show up as you are. I’ll ask questions to better understand your experiences, strengths, and goals, and together we’ll begin identifying the focus of our work. My goal is for you to leave that first session feeling heard, supported, and empowered with a sense of what our work together can look like moving forward.
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to create a culturally responsive, nonjudgmental space where clients feel seen, heard, and respected. I bring a calm, grounded presence to sessions, which allows clients to explore difficult emotions and life experiences at a pace that feels safe and empowering. My approach is integrative and flexible, drawing from evidence-based methods like CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Brief Treatment, and strength-based care. I am particularly skilled at helping clients connect the dots between their past and present, build emotional insight, and develop practical tools for managing stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges. Whether supporting someone through a major life transition, custody dispute, or healing journey, I am deeply committed to helping clients move from surviving to thriving—with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
I am best positioned to support adolescents, adults, and families navigating a range of life transitions and emotional challenges. This includes individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, or the emotional impact of major changes such as divorce, custody disputes, or career uncertainty. I work well with clients who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected—but who are open to exploring their strengths, developing new tools, and working toward lasting change. I also support teens facing academic pressure, identity exploration, or difficulty adjusting to new environments. My approach is culturally responsive, client-centered, and grounded in compassion. Whether you’re working through trauma, managing daily stressors, or striving to improve relationships and emotional well-being, I strive to create a safe, empowering space where healing and growth can take root.
Cash - $125 per session
Aetna
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Gravie
Aetna - Lucent Health
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Medicare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Amerihealth Administrators
Amerihealth NJ Medicare Advantage
Anthem
Arlo
AvMed
Blue Cross Blue Shield
CareFirst
Centivo
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Evernorth
Golden Rule
GTEB
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
Humana - Medicare
Humana Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente - Medicare
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Surest (formerly Bind)
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
In my work, I use CBT to collaboratively guide clients in recognizing the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and in developing healthier coping strategies. This approach is particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, and difficulties with emotional regulation. I tailor CBT interventions to each client’s unique needs, often integrating structured exercises such as cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, and thought records.
I use MI techniques such as open-ended questions, reflective listening, affirmations, and summarizing to help clients identify their own motivations, values, and goals. This approach is particularly effective with individuals facing substance use concerns, behavioral change challenges, or who are in various stages of readiness for change. By evoking clients’ intrinsic motivation and emphasizing their personal agency, I support them in moving toward meaningful, self-directed change. I also integrate MI with other modalities, such as CBT and trauma-informed care, to ensure a comprehensive and empowering treatment approach tailored to each client’s needs.
I have utilized Solution-Focused Brief Treatment (SFBT) extensively in my clinical work, particularly when working with individuals and families seeking goal-oriented and time-limited support. SFBT's emphasis on strengths, resources, and future possibilities aligns with my overall approach to empowering clients and fostering resilience. In practice, I use SFBT to help clients identify what is already working in their lives, clarify their goals, and envision practical steps toward achieving their desired outcomes. I find SFBT especially effective for clients managing life transitions, parenting challenges, and acute stressors, as it promotes hope and encourages actionable solutions in a relatively short period of time. By focusing on clients' existing strengths and successes, I support them in building momentum toward meaningful, sustainable change.
My clinical practice is deeply rooted in a strength-based approach, which emphasizes clients’ inherent resilience, capacities, and resources rather than focusing solely on deficits or problems. I consistently work to create a therapeutic environment that highlights and builds upon each client’s unique strengths, cultural identity, values, and lived experiences. I often integrate strength-based principles with other modalities such as CBT, SFBT, and trauma-informed care to promote a more holistic and client-centered approach. By helping clients reframe their narratives to recognize their abilities and progress, I support them in setting realistic goals and moving forward with confidence and clarity.
Psychoeducation is a core component of my clinical practice, as I believe that informed clients are better equipped to engage actively in their healing and decision-making processes. I use psychoeducation to provide clients with clear, developmentally appropriate, and culturally relevant information about mental health conditions, coping strategies, communication skills, stress management, and the impact of trauma. My goal is to equip clients with knowledge that empowers them to make informed choices, build self-awareness, and maintain progress beyond the therapeutic setting.