- 21 years experience
- LCSW New Jersey
- Focus on coping
About Claire
Claire McDonough is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in New Jersey with 21 years of clinical experience. She helps people who are facing anxiety, depression, stress, relationship struggles, parenting pressures, and other difficult life changes. Claire aims to make therapy straightforward and approachable, and she works to build trust from the first visit.
She uses practical methods like cognitive behavioral work and dialectical behavior ideas alongside mindfulness and emotionally-focused approaches. In sessions she listens carefully, asks questions, and offers concrete steps people can try between visits. She balances respect with gentle challenge to help clients move toward their goals.
Over two decades Claire has worked in a range of mental health settings and supported people with ADHD, bipolar, addictions, trauma, grief, and issues around intimacy and self-esteem. She also helps clients dealing with caregiver stress, first responder concerns, attachment and family of origin difficulties, and coping with natural or human-caused disaster. Her experience includes supporting LGBT and gender-diverse people through identity and relationship concerns.
Sessions emphasize clear communication and skills practice. Claire often uses motivational interviewing to help people find their own reasons for change and emotionally-focused techniques to address relationship and attachment patterns. She encourages small, manageable steps and checks progress along the way.
People who want to begin are invited to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a session. Claire works in English and practices as an LCSW in New Jersey.
Approaches that translate well to online work
CBT, DBT, and emotionally-focused work all adapt well to conversation and skills practice over distance. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and try concrete behavior changes to reduce anxiety or depression. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer communication when feelings run high. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) focuses on identifying and shifting patterns in close relationships to improve connection and reduce conflict.Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals and preferences, try methods that fit those goals, and adjust the plan as needed. That means approaches are chosen together and can change as progress is made.
If you are considering online sessions, confirm which session formats are offered before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, allow shorter check-ins when time is tight, and make it simpler to practice skills between meetings. Licensed professionals can use online sessions to guide skill practice, review homework, and work through relationship patterns without requiring travel.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
21+ years
Credentials
New Jersey
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does Claire address?
She supports people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and parenting challenges, trauma and grief, addiction, ADHD, bipolar, and many related issues including coping with natural or human-caused disaster.
What is Claire's general approach in therapy?
She blends practical approaches like cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical behavior ideas, mindfulness, emotionally-focused work, and motivational interviewing to help people develop skills and make changes.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Claire has 21 years of experience working in a variety of mental health settings across many concerns and populations.
What are Claire's credentials and where does she practice?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, licensed in New Jersey and practices there.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with Claire?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Claire?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.