Ruth Anthony-McClary, LCSW

Based in New Jersey 30 years in practice Online sessions

Compassionate LCSW helping manage strong emotions

Works with

How Ruth works

Practical facts

Credentials: LCSW
Licensed in: New Jersey
Years in practice: 30
Languages: English
Session format: Online, through our partner platform

About Ruth

Ruth Anthony-McClary is a licensed clinical social worker who supports people dealing with stress, mood problems, trauma, and anger. She brings 30 years of clinical social work experience and focuses on meeting each person where they are. Her approach is respectful and compassionate, and she works to create straightforward plans that fit daily life.

Ruth uses conversation and practical tools to help people build coping skills. She adapts sessions to individual needs, focusing on what is most helpful right now.

Background and approach

Common issues she addresses include anxiety, depression, grief, self-esteem, relationship concerns, intimacy-related issues, and parenting stress. Her work also covers complex challenges such as bipolar disorder, compassion fatigue, career transitions, and adjustment after loss or major change. Additional areas of focus include adoption and foster care matters, attachment issues, caregiver stress, chronic illness and pain, body image, and communication or control problems.

Ruth draws on several therapy approaches to shape her work, including attachment-based methods, client-centered listening, cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, and motivational interviewing. These tools are used to help people reframe unhelpful patterns, manage strong emotions, and make steady changes. People who choose to work with Ruth can expect a collaborative process.

She tailors both the conversation and the plan to each person’s goals and life circumstances. The first step is often a short conversation to identify priorities and practical next steps.

What Ruth works with

Everything Ruth lists, in the therapist's own terms. Anger is the reason this directory exists; the rest tells you what usually sits alongside it in Ruth's practice.

Approaches Ruth lists

Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.

Approaches and online care that fit your life

Attachment-based work focuses on how early relationships shape current feelings and patterns. It helps people understand trust, closeness, and reactive responses in relationships, and is useful for intimacy-related worries, abandonment concerns, and attachment issues.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, teaches concrete skills to notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. It is often used for anxiety, depression, anger management, and building practical coping strategies.

Client-centered therapy emphasizes listening and collaboration. The therapist follows the client's lead, reflects what matters, and helps people find their own solutions rather than imposing a set plan.

Ruth will work with each person to figure out which approach or combination fits best. That choice is made together based on goals, day-to-day demands, and what feels most useful in early sessions. Adjustments are normal as work progresses.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make care more flexible. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation; phone sessions can be a good shorter check-in or when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text messaging offer brief, on-the-go options for reflection or coaching between sessions. These formats help fit therapy into busy schedules and different life situations.

Questions people ask about Ruth

What concerns does Ruth commonly address?

She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, anger, grief, self-esteem, relationship and intimacy-related issues, parenting stress, career concerns, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes.

What is her therapy style like?

Her style is collaborative and person-focused, combining client-centered listening with practical cognitive behavioral and mindfulness techniques to build coping skills and change patterns.

How much clinical experience does she have?

Ruth has 30 years of clinical social work experience working with a wide range of emotional and life challenges.

Where is she licensed and located?

She is a licensed clinical social worker, LCSW, licensed in New Jersey and practices from that state.

Which languages are supported and can international clients join?

Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.

What session formats are available?

Sessions can be held as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to match different needs and schedules.

How does cost and billing work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with Ruth?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.