Dr. Gagan Luthra , LPC, CSW

Dr. Gagan Luthra is a seasoned mental health professional practicing in New Jersey with 38 years of experience. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Certified Social Worker (CSW) - meaning she holds state licensure as a counselor and professional certification in social work - and she brings long-standing clinical experience in psychiatry and addictions to her therapeutic work.

She has worked in hospital and community settings, leading programs in psychiatry and addiction services and applying evidence-based approaches when addressing complex mental health concerns. Her training includes trauma-informed care in behavioral health services, and she uses focused interventions to help clients manage the intense stressors that can arise during times of crisis.

Dr. Luthra provides LGBTQ affirmative therapy and supports LGBTQ clients and their families, including couples work and assistance with school-related concerns for children. She is experienced in treating PTSD among veterans and has a strong background in addiction treatment, offering introductions to medication-assisted treatment and recovery models when appropriate. She also uses brief therapy models, often structured over 8 to 12 sessions, for issues such as sexual abuse, grief, anger management, stress, and mood concerns related to social media, depression, and anxiety.

Experienced in adolescent programs and school consultations, she aims to expand clients' perspectives so they leave sessions feeling empowered and with practical options. She offers flexible ways to connect, including texting chat, phone sessions, and video chats to match client comfort and needs.

Approaches to Care and How Online Therapy Helps

Dr. Luthra commonly integrates Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address a wide range of concerns. Attachment-Based Therapy explores patterns of relating formed in early life and how they affect present relationships, which can be useful for attachment issues, intimacy concerns, and family dynamics. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship in which the therapist supports the client's own goals and strengths, making it a good fit for self-esteem, life transitions, and relational work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and is often used for anxiety, depression, stress, and coping with addictive urges.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Dr. Luthra works with clients to assess needs, goals, and personal preferences and then tailors a plan that may draw from one or several approaches so the work fits the individual.

Online therapy formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging offer flexibility for busy schedules, caregiving responsibilities, or when in-person visits are difficult. These options allow clients to maintain continuity of care from different locations, access multilingual support, and select the communication mode that feels most comfortable while working with a licensed professional.