Mary Anne Ruane, LCSW

Mary Anne Ruane is a licensed clinical social worker with three decades of experience. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, depression, grief, relationship and intimacy concerns, and challenges that come with aging and geriatric issues. Her approach is straightforward and focused on practical steps people can try between sessions.

She listens to each person's story and then tailors a plan to fit their needs. Mary Anne uses methods from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, and hypnotherapy when appropriate. She explains options in plain language and works with clients to choose what feels most useful.

Mary Anne has a long history helping people manage addictive behavior and supporting those affected by a loved one’s addiction. She also has extensive experience with anxiety disorders, phobias, panic, and mood concerns such as bipolar disorder and depression. She draws on this experience to create clear, step-by-step strategies for managing symptoms and everyday challenges.

Sessions include practical skills training, goal setting, and short-term experiments clients can try between meetings. She encourages honest conversation about what’s working and what isn’t, and adjusts the plan over time. Her New Jersey practice is grounded in respectful listening and steady problem solving.

Clients who speak English can work with her, and she does not take international clients. To begin, people complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule based on the therapist’s availability.

How these approaches translate to online care

Mary Anne uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and hypnotherapy as core tools. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce anxiety, depression, and phobias. Hypnotherapy uses guided relaxation and suggestion to help with habits, some aspects of addiction, and behavior change.

Choosing the right approach is a shared process. The therapist will review your goals, preferences, and how you respond to initial sessions. Together you decide whether an evidence-informed strategy like CBT or a hypnotherapy option is a better first step, and the plan is adjusted as progress is made.

The biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm available options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It also makes it simpler to continue care during life transitions and to try techniques in real-world settings between meetings.