Dr. Tracie Barberi

If you're living with a chronic illness and finding that it's affecting your mood, your sense of self, or your ability to function the way you used to, this is exactly the kind of work I do. I'm a bilingual, Spanish-speaking LCSW in New Jersey with more than 30 years of experience specializing in the intersection of chronic health conditions and mental health — including depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief. I work with adolescents, adults, and seniors, and I bring a culturally responsive lens to everything I do, with particular attention to identity, family pressures, and the emotional weight of caregiving and systemic stress.

My approach is trauma-informed and grounded in a warm, steady therapeutic relationship. I use CBT and somatic awareness to help you understand the connection between your body, thoughts, and emotions — which is especially useful when chronic illness makes that connection feel confusing or out of your control. I am direct when clarity is helpful and gentle when vulnerability arises. Sessions are paced for you: we'll build practical coping tools you can use between appointments, and we'll move toward healing at a pace that feels grounded and sustainable.

In our first session, clients can expect a calm, supportive space where we get to know each other and begin building a foundation of trust. I take time to understand what brings you to therapy, what you’ve been navigating recently, and what feels most important for you to address. We’ll explore your goals, your strengths, and any immediate concerns such as anxiety, depression, chronic health issues, or trauma‐related stress.

I move at a pace that feels comfortable for you—there’s no pressure to share more than you’re ready for. My role is to listen closely, ask thoughtful questions, and help you feel grounded and safe as we begin the work. I also introduce practical coping strategies or grounding techniques when helpful, so you leave the first session with support you can use right away.

By the end of our time together, we’ll have a clearer sense of your needs, your goals, and how we can work collaboratively to support your healing and well‐being.