Welcome to compassionate, evidence-based care.
Tailored, client-centered therapy designed to cultivate growth, strengthen resilience, and achieve lasting change.
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Focused Expertise
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State-of-the-Art Approach
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Thoughtful Care
Meet Your Specialist
I’m Dr. Megan DeRiso (she/her), a Licensed Clinical Health Psychologist providing online therapy in New Jersey and the participating PSYPACT states for older children, adolescents, and adults. I work with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions and general stress, sleep difficulties, body image concerns, chronic health challenges, and recovery from narcissistic abuse. My career began in medical settings, supporting patients with complex health conditions, but I discovered my passion lies in providing ongoing therapy and supporting clients through long-term growth and well-being. In therapy, I focus on building a strong, collaborative relationship and creating a safe, supportive space for growth and self-understanding. I use evidence-based approaches such as CBT, exposure-based therapy, and have a strong foundation in mindfulness meditation.
If this is your first time in therapy,
Welcome. Taking the first step to start therapy can feel incredibly vulnerable. Many people who haven’t been in therapy before worry about being judged or having something “wrong” with them. During therapy, many people discover that the emotions, stressors, and challenges they face are common and part of the human experience. Throughout my years of practice, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing people navigate deeply personal and complex difficulties, and I’ve yet to meet anyone whose struggles are truly “unique” in the sense of being wrong or abnormal.
If you’re curious about therapy or have questions about how it works, I encourage you to reach out. Even a brief conversation may help you feel more comfortable, explore your options, and decide whether therapy is the right fit for you. I believe that therapy should be a safe space to reflect, gain understanding, and work toward a more balanced and fulfilling life.
-Dr. DeRiso
Therapy from the comfort of your home.
Telehealth available in all 43 PSYPACT participating states (AL, AZ, AR, CO, CNMI, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, ME, MD, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, and WY).
Professional Testimonials
Dr. DeRiso is one of the kindest, empathetic, and authentic psychologists I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. She is always a trusted resource when I need a consult. If I had a patient relocating to NJ, I would not hesitate to refer them to Dr. DeRiso.
— Dr. Kaitlin Forestieri, Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute
As a long time fellow clinician and colleague, I confidently recommend Dr. DeRiso in high regard. Not only is Dr. DeRiso a practitioner who provides keen attention to the individual needs of each of her clients; lending to a strong client-centered approach; but she further presents with utmost professionalism, empathic presence, relational authenticity, and sound, specialized knowledge of evidenced-based interventions to meet her clients wherever they are on their journey. Thus, I do not hesitate to refer clients to Dr. DeRiso, whose clinical work I highly respect and trust greatly.
— Dr. Caroline Haskamp, Psychological Consulting Services
Dr. Megan is a highly skilled therapist who is incredibly capable in treating concerns related to OCD and anxiety. She takes a human-first approach, which allows her clients to feel seen and heard. She practices professionally and ethically, always with her clients’ best interests in mind. She is able to balance the space between support and challenge with compassion and empathy. I recommend her without any hesitation.
— Dr. Zoe Ross-Nash, CEDS, Founder of Equilibrium Health Advantage
Dr. DeRiso is a warm, compassionate, thoughtful, and highly knowledgeable psychologist who is deeply committed to supporting her clients. I’m grateful to benefit from her expertise through consultation and to have her as a trusted referral source, particularly related to anxiety and complex health concerns.
— Dr. Elizabeth Tish Hicks, Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Megan DeRiso is an exceptional psychologist and an even better person. Having trained with her, I’ve seen her dedication to her craft and her clients up close. She is my first choice for referrals because I know her care is authentic and her skill is unmatched. I couldn't recommend her more highly for her new practice.
— Dr. Olivier van Hauwermeiren, Founder of OVH Psychology
I had the privilege of working alongside Dr. DeRiso as a colleague, and I can confidently say she is an exceptional clinician. Her clinical training is stellar, and is reflected by the depth of her clinical insight, professionalism, and thoughtful approach to care.
She is deeply client-centered, consistently prioritizing each individual’s unique needs, goals, and lived experiences. What stands out most is her holistic perspective—she doesn’t just focus on isolated symptoms but considers the full picture of a client’s wellbeing. She is thoughtful about making appropriate recommendations and referrals when they would meaningfully benefit the client.
Dr. DeRiso is also a culturally competent clinician, with a strong commitment to understanding and honoring each client’s intersecting identities, including but not limited to gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and religion. Her respect for diversity is not performative—it is embedded in how she practices, listens, and builds therapeutic relationships.
I would strongly recommend and confidently refer patients to her without hesitation, knowing they would be in capable, compassionate, and highly skilled hands.
— Dr. Ashley Pallathra, Clinical Psychologist
FAQs
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I accept Aetna insurance and also offer private-pay options ($285/clinical intake, $225/45 minutes, $250/60 minutes). For private-pay clients, I can provide superbills that you can submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement, depending on your plan. Please see the services page for more information. If you have questions about coverage or the billing process, I’m happy to help guide you.
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Payment is due the day services are provided.
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Yes! I provide secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth sessions, allowing you to receive therapy from the comfort of your home. Telehealth sessions are just as effective as in-person sessions for most concerns, and many clients find them more convenient and flexible.
I do not currently offer in-person services at this time, although options may be available in northern NJ in the future.
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Yes, I offer telehealth in all 43 PSYPACT participating states: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Due to licensing laws, I can’t offer international services or services in states that are not participating in PSYPACT.
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I provide therapy for older children, adolescents, and adults.
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Therapy can be helpful for anyone experiencing emotional, behavioral, or life challenges. I work with clients across the lifespan, including older children, teens, and adults navigating anxiety, OCD, depression, life transitions, general stress, chronic health conditions, and recovery from narcissistic abuse. If you’re unsure whether therapy is right for you, I’m happy to discuss your goals and options during a consultation.
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Standard therapy sessions are 45 or 60 minutes, though this can vary depending on your needs and treatment plan. During intake, we’ll discuss session length and frequency to determine what works best for you.
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We require at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule a session. This helps us respect and protect our providers’ time.
Sessions cancelled within 24 hours of the scheduled appointment will be charged the full session fee ($225), in accordance with RTCNJ policy. Please note that insurance does not cover cancellation fees, and payment is the client’s responsibility.
We understand that true emergencies can arise. If this occurs, please discuss the situation directly with your provider.
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A good way to determine the therapist/client match is how you feel during the therapy session. You should feel heard, respected, and safe to be honest without judgment.
After a session or consultation, you might ask yourself:
Do I feel listened to and understood?
Does their style and approach make sense to me?
Do I feel comfortable being honest, even when things feel difficult?
Do I feel supported while also being gently challenged when appropriate?
It’s also important to consider practical factors, such as the therapist’s experience with your concerns and whether their approach aligns with your goals. It’s ok if it takes a few sessions to know. I often encourage clients to seek multiple consultation calls (or intake sessions) to determine what is the best fit.
Contact Us
Interested in working together? Please fill out this form and we will be in touch shortly.
If you are experiencing an emergency:
Text or call 988
Text HOME to 741741
Call 911 or
Go to the nearest emergency room.