Therapist profile
Claire McDonough, LCSW
New Jersey
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Anger and Relationships
Continue with ClaireKey details
- CredentialsLCSW
- LicenseLCSW, New Jersey / 44SC05489900
- NPI1023439783
- Experience21 years
- LanguagesEnglish
- LocationNew Jersey
About
- CBT techniques
- DBT skills
- Mindfulness practice
About Claire
Claire McDonough is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New Jersey with 21 years of experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, depression, anger, addictions, and a wide range of life challenges. Sessions are in English and she does not take international clients.
Her background includes a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Social Work and work across varied mental health settings. That practical experience means she has seen many versions of the same problems. She draws on approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy to shape how she works.
In sessions she listens first, then helps people name what’s getting in the way. She uses clear, direct conversation and sets goals together. She also offers tools to manage strong feelings, reduce impulsive reactions, and address harmful patterns.
Claire pays attention to relationships and the role they play in ongoing stress. She addresses attachment issues, communication problems, infidelity, caregiver strain, and family-of-origin concerns in individual work. She also supports people dealing with grief, trauma, gender dysphoria, and the difficulties that come with career or life changes.
Her style balances listening with gentle challenge. She asks questions that clarify patterns and offers practical strategies to try between sessions. If you want help handling anger, rebuilding communication, or coping with change, she helps people take concrete steps forward.
How sessions work
How her approaches translate to online work
Claire uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy in ways that fit an online setting. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and testing small behavioral changes, which can be practiced between sessions. DBT teaches skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer communication, with concrete exercises to try during the week.Choosing an approach is collaborative. She will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what feels doable. Together they decide whether to focus on skills training, emotional processing, or a mix of methods and then adjust as needed over time.
Session formats are not listed in her biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, shorten commuting time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. It also supports practicing skills between meetings and reviewing progress over time. Licensed professionals can tailor pacing and focus to daily life and workplace constraints, helping people bring what they learn into real situations.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
21+ years
Listed in
New Jersey
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, anger, addictions, relationship and family concerns, and related issues listed in her profile.
What is her general approach in therapy?
She listens first, then helps people set goals and uses clear, practical interventions drawn from CBT, DBT, EFT and mindfulness.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 21 years of experience working in a variety of mental health settings.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, licensed in New Jersey and practices there.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people from other countries work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions scheduled and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is unsafe, use the crisis numbers.