Dr. Christine Cearfoss (she/her)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
25819

Just by visiting this website, you have set the intention to live a more joyful and conscious existence. How exciting! My extensive training and life experience has provided me with many tools and strategies that I am eager to share with you on your path to joy. Of course, working together in an area as sensitive and important as your emotional well-being requires a sense of safety, so that is my top priority. And before you can trust me to guide your journey, you ought to know a little about mine.

I didn’t choose to be a therapist—therapy picked me! I have always known it was my life’s purpose to help people live more consciously and thrive. My journey began with the pursuit of higher education to give me the foundation I needed to serve my calling. First, I earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, then a master’s in social work, followed by professional licensure. As of 2018 I also now hold a PhD in Human Services and Clinical Social Work.

At the beginning of my career, when I worked at an inpatient psychiatric hospital, I quickly learned that individuals suffering with mental illness need a kind and loving person to support them, because there is nothing scarier than feeling that you are losing control and no one understands. It became my personal mission to provide that understanding. Eventually, I transitioned into a community mental health position, accessing resources and providing linkage services to clients recently discharged from the hospital.
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In April 2000, I decided to pursue my dream to move to California from New Jersey. The reason behind my longing remains a mystery. Someday, I hope to realize why I needed to come here, but for now, I’m just enjoying it. At first, I knew very few people here and felt very alone—it turns out that connecting with others as an adult is not so easy!

Soon, I joined a mental health agency that provided me with the opportunity to counsel clients and families in their homes, an honor not to be taken lightly. Through this experience, I developed skills to engage clients from different backgrounds relating to various and difficult treatment issues. Over the next 16 years, I worked my way up from a community mental health clinician to Clinical Supervisor to Junior Executive in their corporate office. My final role was Corporate Training Manager, which required me to stay current in the latest mental health research and disseminate it throughout the company, and I became certified as an ATD “Master Trainer” in curriculum development and public speaking.

When my promotions kept me away from the direct interaction that I loved with clients, I started a part-time private practice in 2009. As the years passed, I continually had a nagging feeling that it was time to go “all in.” Eventually, I heeded that feeling and took a huge leap, leaving the security of employment to open my full-time private practice in August 2015. I have never been happier! The practice continues to grow, with staff members joining our team and new groups forming regularly.

My guiding philosophy is that life provides choices and we can decide what choices suit us best. Sometimes we may not know until we discuss it with others, but the best choice will always reveal itself over time—and it may not be what we “want” so much as what we “need.” When this happens, it is valuable to have someone to assist with the growth process. I am happy to be that person for you.

“February 2022 update: After 22 years in CA, I have returned to NJ to spend some quality time with friends and family. I have transitioned my personal clients to 100% telehealth and all new CA clients will be telehealth moving forward.. When COVID first happened and we moved to telehealth, I did so kicking and screaming as I immensely enjoy being in the room with my clients. However, after 2 years of telehealth I learned how to make up for not being in the same room and have discovered that sometimes telehealth is even better than in-person. If you are unsure about telehealth I get that. I was too! However, if you decide to give it a try I think you will be surprised how easy and comfortable it can be.”
Christine