Claire McDonough

Claire McDonough is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in New Jersey. She brings 21 years of experience across community and clinical settings. Claire focuses on practical, down-to-earth therapy to help people manage stress, anxiety, anger, depression, and other life challenges.

She begins by listening and building trust. Sessions focus on clear goals and small steps. Claire offers direct feedback and gentle challenges to help clients move forward without feeling judged.

Her work draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to change unhelpful thinking and on dialectical behavior strategies for emotion regulation and distress tolerance. She also uses emotionally-focused methods to look at how relationships affect feelings and behavior, plus mindfulness and motivational interviewing to strengthen daily coping and motivation.

Claire has helped people with ADHD, bipolar disorder, addictions, trauma, grief, and relationship concerns. She also supports those managing caregiver stress, first responder issues, and identity questions related to LGBT and gender dysphoria. Her approach balances practical skills with attention to deeper patterns that keep problems repeating.

People who come to Claire can expect a straightforward, respectful tone. She explains options and works collaboratively to set goals. To begin, visitors choose the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Therapeutic approaches used for online work

Claire uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT is useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and managing everyday problems by teaching concrete skills.

She also draws on dialectical behavior therapy to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT-style skills help when strong emotions or impulsive reactions like anger get in the way of goals. Emotionally-focused therapy is used to look at how relationship patterns affect feelings and interaction, which can help with intimacy and communication problems.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. Claire will work with each person to figure out which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That choice is collaborative and can change as progress unfolds.

Session formats are not specified in the profile, so please confirm current options before booking. Many clients appreciate online work because it can fit into a busy day, reduce travel time, and make it easier to keep appointments during transitions. Online sessions can also allow brief check-ins or focused skill practice when schedules are tight.