Sara Rettig

Hi, I'm Sara.

I believe therapy works best when you feel comfortable being yourself, which is why creating a warm, genuine, and judgment-free space is one of my top priorities. My goal is to help you feel seen, heard, and supported as we work together toward meaningful change.

I am a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) in New Jersey. For the past four years, I have worked in the addiction field, supporting individuals through substance use, recovery, and co-occurring mental health challenges. I work with adolescents and adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, relationship challenges, self-esteem concerns, and substance use. I am also currently working toward my LCSW and completing training in EMDR therapy.

I understand that reaching out for therapy can feel intimidating. Sharing your story with someone new takes courage, and I don't take that trust lightly. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected from yourself, or simply looking for support during a difficult season of life, I strive to meet you where you are.

I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. Every person brings their own experiences, strengths, and challenges, so I tailor treatment to fit your unique needs and goals. Together, we'll work to better understand what's bringing you to therapy, build on your strengths, and create lasting change at a pace that feels right for you.

You don't need to have everything figured out before starting therapy. Sometimes the hardest step is reaching out. If you're considering beginning therapy, I'd be honored to walk alongside you on that journey.

My approach to therapy is rooted in the belief that healing happens within a safe, supportive, and authentic relationship. I strive to create a space where clients feel comfortable showing up as they are- without judgment, pressure, or the expectation that they have everything figured out.

I work from a person-centered and trauma-informed perspective, recognizing that each person's experiences, strengths, and challenges are unique. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, I tailor therapy to meet your individual needs, goals, and pace. I believe you are the expert on your own life, and my role is to help guide, support, and empower you throughout the process.

I also place a strong emphasis on psychoeducation because I believe understanding why we think, feel, and react the way we do can be incredibly empowering. Whether we're exploring the impact of trauma, anxiety, relationships, attachment patterns, or substance use, I aim to help clients gain insight into themselves while developing practical tools they can use outside of session.

My work is influenced by EMDR, attachment-based therapy, strengths-based approaches, mindfulness, and evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), when appropriate. At the same time, I believe therapy is about more than learning coping skills- it's about understanding your story, making sense of your experiences, and creating meaningful change that aligns with who you are and who you want to become.

Above all, I want therapy to feel collaborative. We will work together to identify what's getting in the way, build on your existing strengths, and create a path forward that feels authentic to you.

Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and begin building a foundation of trust. I'll spend time learning about what brings you to therapy, your personal history, current challenges, and what you hope to gain from our work together.

There is no pressure to share everything at once. I strive to create a warm, supportive, and judgment-free environment where you can move at a pace that feels comfortable for you. Together, we'll begin identifying your goals, exploring what may be contributing to your struggles, and discussing how therapy can best support your needs.

My hope is that you leave the first session feeling heard, understood, and with a clearer sense of where we can go from there.