Find a therapist in New Jersey — covered by insurance

I am Gottman couples level 2 certified, ADHD certified, and part of the queer community. I provide resources, problem solving, support, coping strategies, communication, boundary setting, self-esteem, self-compassion and psychoeducation to assist with your needs. I work with anxiety, family and marital conflict, life transitions, stress, depression etc.

The best laid plans of mice and men may not always cover every eventuality. Life often changes the drop of a dime, and when that happens, you will need someone who can empathize and work with you as the unique individual you are. While changes are inevitable, they may not always be negative. I will work with you on finding you a new path forward in this new stage of your life.

I am a clinically trained psychotherapist practicing in NJ, NY, MA, and PA. I work with individuals, couples, and families across all ages—from children and teens to college students and busy professionals. I also have experience supporting married couples facing marital challenges.

I'm Jessica Saraiva, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works with adults, children, adolescents, and families. I currently serve as a school social worker and maintain a clinical practice providing individual and family counseling.

I hold my LCSW, NJ School Social Worker Certification, and a Certificate in Promoting Child & Adolescent Well-Being from Rutgers University, where I earned my Master of Social Work with a 4.0 GPA.

My experience includes supporting adults navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, and relationship challenges, as well as helping children and adolescents with behavioral difficulties, social-emotional struggles, and school-related issues. I'm also bilingual in Portuguese, allowing me to serve clients in their preferred language.

Whether you're seeking support for yourself or your family, I'm here to help.

With 29 years of experience in the field, I remain deeply committed to helping individuals and families impacted by the far-reaching effects of mental illness and every day life stressors. I believe meaningful change begins when clients feel safe, seen, heard and supported. I create a nurturing, emotionally safe environment and emphasizes the importance of a strong therapeutic relationship as the foundation for healing. Known for my nonjudgmental, compassionate approach.

My work is collaborative and individualized, integrating evidence-based practices through a trauma-informed and attachment-based lens. I draw from cognitive-behavioral, strengths-based, and relational approaches while incorporating Sandplay Therapy, expressive and play-based techniques, mind-body practices, meditation, stress management, and psychoeducation. When clinically appropriate, these methods are thoughtfully blended into a comprehensive approach that supports healing, growth, and overall wellness.

I earned my undergraduate degree in Family Studies from the University of Maryland in 1998. After returning to New Jersey, I began working in community mental health while pursuing my Master of Social Work at Rutgers University, graduating magna cum laude in 2002. I completed three years of study and specialized training in Sandplay Therapy. I went on to provide intensive in-home family and individual therapy to children, adolescents, adults, and parents in crisis. After four years of postgraduate supervision and clinical work, I earned my Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential in 2008.

I continued to provide therapeutic services through New Jersey’s Children’s System of Care and I also worked in outpatient settings, supporting children, teens, adults, and parents.

How do we make sense of our stuff? This is a critical question. Life can be challenging and sometimes we can’t understand what we are experiencing and why. Much of our ability to overcome adversity originates from our mindset- how we process our experiences. It is the lens through which we view our reality.

Essentially, what contributes to our overall well-being is not necessarily the absence of setbacks but rather how we respond to these experiences. Our ability to accept our challenges, to make meaning out of them, to understand how they serve us, is necessary for our personal growth. I work with my clients to help them shift their mindset and to find meaning in all of life’s experiences.

I have been a been a practicing Social Worker for twenty years. I hold a Ph.D. in Social Work and am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I take a person-centered approach to therapeutic work and integrate a variety of intervention modalities into my practice. I specialize in Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Multisystemic Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Structural Family Therapy. I also have extensive experience with Trauma Informed Care as well as grief and bereavement work. I partner with my clients to determine which approach might be most meaningful to them.

My practice typically sees individuals with various mental health concerns requiring appropriate diagnosis, counselling and medication management. We treat individuals with various mental health conditions including, anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, post traumatic stress disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The goal of my practice is to work collaboratively with clients and families to develop individualized treatment plans that improves social and occupational wellbeing.