Find a therapist in New Jersey — covered by insurance

I believe healing is possible, even after deep or prolonged trauma. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive experience supporting girls and women who have been impacted by trauma, anxiety, OCD, and/or life transitions. My work is grounded in evidence-based practice, cultural humility, and compassion. I strive to create a space where clients feel emotionally safe, respected, and understood. For those who desire it, I also offer Christian-integrated therapy, thoughtfully incorporating faith and spiritual values in a clinically ethical and client-centered way. My goal is to walk alongside you with clarity, structure, and hope as you move toward meaningful and lasting change.

“I’m a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who truly cares about helping people feel understood and supported. I am dedicated to providing compassionate, whole-person mental health care. My clinical background includes experience with anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, women’s mental health, and mood disorders. I hold advanced graduate training in psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, and medication management, and I am committed to creating a supportive environment where clients feel truly seen and heard. My practice blends evidence-based treatment with a holistic perspective, addressing emotional, cognitive, and lifestyle factors that impact mental well-being. For clients who desire it, I also incorporate gentle, faith-sensitive support while maintaining a safe and inclusive space for all. My goal is to help you understand your symptoms, build resilience, and move toward lasting healing and clarity.”

Partner 1: “I reach for you, but it feels like you’re already gone.” I’m left wondering if I matter to you at all.” Partner 2: “When you come close, I feel the pressure to be perfect, so I pull back to protect us both.” These unspoken messages leave couples lonely and stuck. I help break this anxious–avoidant cycle so partners feel safe, seen, and deeply connected again.

“I don’t understand why I want closeness so badly, yet feel disappointed when I have it. Why do I feel lonelier than others, even when I’m not alone?” Or: “I care deeply, but people say I’m distant or hard to read. When emotions get intense, I shut down—not because I don’t feel, but because it feels like too much.”

These quiet tensions live beneath awareness for many people. Longing and self-protection pull in opposite directions. Needs feel confusing, emotions feel overwhelming or unsafe, and core beliefs quietly form—I’m too much, I’m not enough, connection costs me something.

I help people loosen these patterns, reconcile the Self with more truthful and adaptive beliefs, and move toward self-acceptance and interdependence—where connection no longer threatens safety, but deepens it.

After nine years serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, I realized my deepest fulfillment came not from fixing systems, but from walking with people. Leaving the military was not a departure from service—it was a continuation of it. I pursued social work and theological training to better support people in their most important relationships. Today, my practice is devoted to couples counseling and trauma-informed care. Drawing primarily from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and EMDR, I help couples slow conflict, understand what drives disconnection, and emotional safety. As a veteran and seminary-trained therapist, I bring structure, compassion, and steady hope—meeting clients with respect, grace, and a belief in lasting change.

Many of the adults I work with grew up feeling unseen—whether because of childhood trauma, emotionally unavailable parents, or painful relationship patterns. Those early experiences can stay with us, shaping the way we see ourselves and connect with others. Over time, it can feel like you’re stuck in the same cycles, questioning your worth, or struggling to build the relationships you want.

Becoming a therapist felt like a natural calling: a way to combine compassion with practical tools to help people heal, grow, and find balance. Over the years, I’ve seen how therapy can transform lives—restoring hope, strengthening relationships, and helping clients rewrite the stories they tell themselves. That transformation is what inspires me every day to do this work with warmth, empathy, and genuine care. I absolutely love what I do and I feel very blessed to do this work everyday.

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.

Welcome!

Navigating the path to healing can feel daunting, especially for marginalized individuals facing systemic barriers. My mission is to honor and empower your strength and vulnerability as you seek support. Together, we'll create a safe space where you can share your story authentically, free from judgment or criticism. I integrate cultural, racial, and ethnic understanding into our sessions to ensure your unique experiences are respected and validated.

I’m a licensed therapist and intuitive healer who helps clients reconnect with themselves and reclaim their peace. My background blends traditional clinical training with holistic practices like reiki energy work, somatic practices and mindfulness, allowing me to meet clients where they are- mind, body, and spirit.

I specialize in supporting people who’ve carried too much for too long — those navigating anxiety, burnout, life transitions, or complex family dynamics. My approach is real, compassionate, and down-to-earth. I don’t believe in quick fixes or surface-level advice; I believe in helping you understand your story, heal old wounds, and move forward feeling grounded, confident, and aligned.

Feeling stuck or overwhelmed? Experiencing high-functioning anxiety and burnout? Or just struggling to get through the day? I help clients build clarity, confidence, and practical tools for everyday life. I specialize in anxiety, life transitions, and strengthening your sense of self. With experience across all life stages, including young adults and retirees, I bring a steady, direct, and nonjudgmental approach shaped by my background in correctional settings—there’s very little you could say that would surprise me. We can take the first step together!