- Work and wellbeing
- Practical skills
- Relationship focus
About Claire
Claire McDonough is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in New Jersey with 21 years of experience. She uses practical therapy methods to help people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and work and wellbeing concerns. Claire aims to create a respectful, calm space where people can talk honestly about what’s hard for them.
She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try different actions. Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills are used to teach emotion regulation and distress tolerance. Claire also blends mindfulness practices and elements of Emotionally-Focused Therapy when relationships and connection are central to the work.
Her background spans many mental health settings, and she has worked with problems such as ADHD, bipolar disorder, addiction, grief, trauma, and caregiver stress. She also helps people facing communication problems, intimacy concerns, and life transitions. Claire pays attention to attachment, identity issues, and concerns related to gender and sexual orientation.
In sessions she listens first and then gently challenges patterns that keep people stuck. She focuses on small, practical steps that fit into everyday life. The goal is to leave sessions with clearer choices and doable strategies.
To start, Claire asks people to complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedules sessions based on availability. Her approach is steady and adaptable, aimed at supporting better coping, clearer goals, and improved day-to-day functioning.
How Claire’s approaches translate to online therapy
Claire often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors. CBT focuses on specific problems and offers practical exercises that can be done between sessions to track progress.She also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. These skills are useful when emotions feel intense or relationships are strained and can be practiced during regular appointments.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Claire will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. The plan can change as progress is made and new concerns arise, with the therapist and client deciding collaboratively what to try next.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. These practical benefits help people maintain regular appointments and use skills in real life while balancing work and other responsibilities.
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 help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, ADHD, bipolar disorder, grief, trauma, relationship and intimacy issues, and many related concerns listed in her specialties.
What is Claire's general therapy style?
She listens carefully, builds trust, and then offers practical tools and gentle challenges to help people change unhelpful patterns and meet their goals.
How long has she been practicing?
Claire has 21 years of experience working in a variety of mental health settings.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - LCSW - licensed in New Jersey and practices from that state.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are fees and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What should I do to begin therapy?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.