Amy Aracena, LCSW, CSSW

About

Clinical Social Work/Therapist in Newark, NJ. Works with Anxiety, Parenting and Education and Learning Disabilities. Sees clients online only. Takes Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare and other plans. Accepting new clients.

Areas of expertise

• Anxiety
• Parenting
• Coping Skills
• Depression
• Family Conflict
• Grief
• Life Coaching
• Life Transitions
• Racial Identity
• School Issues
• Self Esteem
• Stress Management
• Trauma and PTSD

Types of therapy

• Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)Helps people make room for difficult thoughts and feelings instead of fighting them, and commit to actions that fit what matters to them.
• Child Parent Psychotherapy
• Christian CounselingCounseling that brings Christian faith, scripture or prayer into therapy, for people who want their beliefs to be part of the work.
• Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)A structured, practical therapy that looks at how thoughts, feelings and actions affect each other, and teaches skills for changing unhelpful thinking and habits.
• Compassion FocusedHelps people who are hard on themselves to build warmth and compassion toward themselves, as a counterweight to shame and self-criticism.
• Culturally SensitiveTakes a person's culture, identity, background and values into account, and shapes the work so it fits their life.
• EclecticUses techniques from several approaches, chosen to suit the person and the problem rather than following one model.
• Family SystemsSees a person as part of their family as a whole, and explores roles, patterns and communication across the family rather than one person's problems alone.
• InterpersonalA structured, time-limited therapy focused on relationships and life events, such as conflict, loss or big role changes, and how they affect mood.
• MulticulturalRecognizes how culture, race, ethnicity and other identities shape experience, and makes them part of the work.
• Music Therapy
• Play TherapyUses play, toys and games to help children express feelings and work through problems in a way that suits their age.
• Positive PsychologyFocuses on well-being, strengths, gratitude and what makes life fulfilling, alongside working through difficulties.
• Strength-BasedFocuses on the strengths, skills and resources a person already has, and builds on them to meet challenges.
• Trauma FocusedTherapy for people affected by trauma. Puts safety and pacing first, and helps process painful memories so they have less hold on daily life.

More details

Sessions

Online only

Accepting new clients

Yes

Specialties

Anxiety, Parenting, Education and Learning Disabilities, ADHD, Autism, Behavioral Issues, Cancer, Career Counseling, Child, Chronic Illness, Chronic Pain, Coping Skills, Depression, Family Conflict, Grief, Life Coaching, Life Transitions, Mood Disorders, Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum, Racial Identity, School Issues, Self Esteem, Spirituality, Stress, Trauma and PTSD

Insurance

1199SEIU, Aetna, Anthem, BlueCross and BlueShield, Carelon Behavioral Health, Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Optum, Oscar Health, Oxford, UnitedHealthcare / Optum Medicare, UnitedHealthcare UHC | UBH, Out of Network

Fees

Individual sessions $150, couple sessions $175; sliding scale available

Payment methods

American Express, Discover, Health Savings Account, Mastercard, Paypal, Visa, Zelle

Ages

Toddler, Children (6 to 10), Preteen, Teen, Adults

Works with

Individuals, Family

Communities

Racial Justice Allied, Single Parent

Ethnicity

Black and African American, Hispanic and Latino

Religion

Christian

Languages

English

Gender

Female

Education

Fordham University

Years in practice

7

Other offices

New York, 10016

Education & qualifications