Lauren McFarland

I'm Lauren McFarland, an LCADC and Licensed Social Worker with 9 years of experience helping adults navigate substance use, addiction, and recovery. My specialty isn't just intreating addiction — it's in understanding what's underneath it. Most of the people I work with aren't struggling because they lack willpower. They're struggling because of underlying issues going unaddressed for years, and substances became the fastest way to feel okay. I work with that full picture. I accept Aetna, Cigna, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, and Carelon Behavioral Health — so cost is rarely a barrier to getting started.

I don't believe in one-size-fits-all recovery. My approach combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing — but more importantly, I adapt based on where you actually are, not where a treatment model says you should be. Whether you're newly sober, cycling through relapse, or still unsure if you even have a problem worth addressing, we'll start there. I offer telehealth sessions across New Jersey — same quality of care, on your schedule, from wherever you are. I provide a supportive space to build coping skills, strengthen resilience, and create lasting change.

Expect a real conversation — not a checklist. The first session is about understanding your history with substances, what's brought you to this point, and what a meaningful life looks like to you outside of addiction. I'll ask questions, listen carefully, and share my honest clinical perspective. We'll talk about what you've already tried, what worked, what didn't, and why. By the end, you'll have a clear sense of what working together would look like. Most clients leave the first session feeling less alone with their story — that's the goal. Bring your skepticism. I welcome it.