Danica Rivello, LCSW

Danica Rivello is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 25 years of experience. She uses clear, practical methods to help people manage stress, anxiety, mood concerns, and life changes. Her approach is warm and down-to-earth, and she aims to make conversations feel natural and straightforward.

She works with people facing depression, bipolar disorder, trauma and abuse, grief, and struggles with self-esteem. She also supports clients dealing with relationship and intimacy questions, addiction, eating or sleeping difficulties, and the everyday pressures of parenting and caregiving. Danica pays attention to co-occurring issues like chronic illness, chronic pain, or overlapping mental health concerns.

In sessions she blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and mindfulness. Those tools are used in simple ways - identifying unhelpful thoughts, building coping skills, and practicing present-moment awareness. She adapts techniques to each person’s situation rather than using a one-size-fits-all plan.

Her style is interactive and goal-oriented. Conversations focus on practical steps clients can try between sessions and on small changes that add up. She emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and a nonjudgmental attitude while avoiding labels that feel stigmatizing.

People who choose Danica can expect collaborative planning and steady support. She encourages clients to set realistic goals and celebrates progress along the way. Her New Jersey practice is aimed at helping people move forward, one step at a time.

Practical approaches for online therapy and skill building

Danica draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot and change unhelpful thinking patterns. CBT focuses on concrete tools - for example, tracking thoughts, testing beliefs, and trying new behaviors to see what works. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is also part of her work and helps people clarify values, accept difficult emotions, and commit to actions that match what matters most.

She may also use Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills for emotional regulation and distress tolerance when strong emotions make daily life harder. DBT skills train practical techniques like breathing, grounding, and structured problem-solving that can be practiced between sessions. Danica treats choosing an approach as a shared process and will work with each person to figure out which methods match their needs, goals, and preferences.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to increase flexibility. Video sessions allow face-to-face conversation and screen sharing for worksheets, phone visits can be easier when bandwidth is low, and short chat or text exchanges are useful for quick check-ins or skill coaching during busy days. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, family, and day-to-day life while keeping the focus on practical progress.