Claire Forte-McRobbie LCSW

There are several important things for someone to know in working with me. I am dedicated and deeply passionate about my work as a therapist which I have come to know is my true calling. New clients can fear being judged by the therapist as having something wrong with them. However, they generally enter therapy having exhausted their internal and/or external resources given the effects of their past histories and current life circumstances. Thus, I perceive my clients as courageously seeking professional help to heal and improve their lives and sometimes, the lives of their loved ones also. Respecting and valuing the thoughts and feelings of my clients, I invite them to be open and share their concerns and distresses even when they are experienced within the therapeutic relationship. Openness can lead to healing and growth. Therefore, I encourage and welcome it.

Trust is a key component and foundation of all healthy relationships. In the therapeutic relationship shared between the client and the therapist, trust is developed over the course of sessions. Respect and warm regard towards the client, active listening, and non-judgment are all essential on the part of the therapist to support the building of that trust. So often clients enter therapy with histories of broken relationships and trust. Therefore, it is of primary concern for me to learn more about my clients’ trust issues and what would help them to feel safe, comfortable, and less anxious as we work together so that they can heal from past traumas and successfully achieve their treatment goals.

I use an eclectic approach applying techniques from Client-Focused Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Practices, (MI), Internal Family Systems Therapy, Strength Based Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. To assist my clients in feeling safe and comfortable, I invite them to begin the session’s discussion where they want. Treatment goals are always collaboratively established and revised along the way. Similarly, I collaborate with clients when assisting them in developing new skills or increasing the effectiveness of the skills already being used. Applying a strengths-based approach, I assist my clients in discovering strengths they may already possess but may never have acknowledged. New strengths are developed when needed. Significant past relationships and events can strongly influence people’s thoughts and feelings, and the relationships they share with themselves, others, and the world and their hope for the future. Therefore, I invite clients to be curious and explore their past. I do this to assist clients in gaining new self-awareness and insights to promote their healing. As the negative effects of past traumas are alleviated, clients are freer to achieve their treatment goals and life goals. It wonderful and a great pleasure to celebrate with my clients each of their achievements and successes along their journey in therapy. Small changes and growth can lead to greater change over time and so it is important to celebrate all the new steps taken and milestones achieved.

• New Jersey, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, 44SC05503000

Becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New Jersey was a career change for me. For the past 14 years, I have been employed as an Outpatient Clinician at a community mental health agency. The focus of my clinical work in recent years has been to provide therapy to young adult and adult clients with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, PTSD, trauma, abuse, grief and loss, family and intimate relationship problems, parenting problems, and health problems. Since 2015, as a Senior Outpatient Clinician, I have also been providing clinical supervision to new clinicians working towards full licensure. To expand my knowledge and skills to better serve my clients, I have attended a variety of trainings including multiple trauma trainings and last year, an Introduction to Internal Family Systems webinar. I have a certificate in TeleMental Health and I am now in the process of completing Trauma Certification Program offered through the National Association of Social Workers-NJ (NASW-NJ). Currently, in conjunction with my community mental health agency work, I am beginning a private practice to provide individual therapy to young adults, adults, and senior adults.