About Rikki Zahler, LCSW
Compassionate. Practical. Here for the hard stuff.
A little about me
I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing virtually throughout New Jersey. Before opening my private practice, I spent years as a medical social worker — walking alongside people facing some of the hardest moments of their lives. That experience shaped how I show up in the therapy room today.
I believe therapy should feel like a real conversation — not a script. My clients describe me as warm and easy to talk to, but also someone who brings real tools to the table. Empathy without practical skills can feel like spinning your wheels. Skills without warmth feel cold. You deserve both.
I work with adults navigating anxiety, chronic illness, depression, emotion dysregulation, and relationship challenges. Whether you're brand new to therapy or returning after a break, my goal is the same: to help you feel steadier in your own life.
Outside the office, I'm a curious reader, a lover of nature, and a firm believer that small consistent steps are how real change happens.
My Approach to Therapy
I draw from several evidence-based modalities, blending them to fit each client.
Person-Centered & Warm
I meet you where you are. No judgment, no pressure to perform — just real conversation grounded in care.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Evidence-based tools to identify the thought patterns driving anxiety and depression — and gently shift them.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
A structured, skills-based approach that blends acceptance with change — helping you tolerate distress, regulate intense emotions, and build healthier relationships.
Strengths-Based
You already have more resilience than you realize. My job is to help you see it and build on it.
Education & Credentials
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), State of New Jersey
- Master of Social Work (MSW)
- Specialized background in medical social work
- Experience supporting adults across the lifespan
Featured Work
Practical Tools for Managing Anxiety
Featured in a local New Jersey newspaper — Rikki shares concrete, accessible strategies real people can use when anxiety shows up in everyday life.
Read the ArticleWant to work together?
I offer a free 15-minute consultation so we can see if we're a good fit.
Book a Free Consultation