Caitlin M. Peterson, LCSW

Caitlin M. Peterson, LCSW Caitlin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Jersey with a Certificate in Clinical Hypnothera

Caitlin Peterson, MSW Fordham University, LCSW, CHT,

Caitlin Peterson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Heart-Centered Hypnotherapist and co-founder of Evolve Wellness. Her radical approach to mental health shatters limitations of traditional psychotherapy. Her life's work is to support others as they cross the bridge from a place of self doubt to lives full of love, forgiveness and universal compassion. Caitlin believes that you have the answers within to transform your life; she's simply a guide on your journey back "home" to your intrinsically loving self. To learn more about her integrative approach, please visit www.caitwellness.com

10/09/2025

Link in Bio! This FREE 8-minute meditation is a gentle reminder that you are loved, guided, and supported in more ways than you can see. Serendipity is not luck, it’s the universe’s way of saying, “I’m here with you. I’m working with you. You’re on the right path.”

As you settle into your breath, you’ll be invited to remember that every ripple of energy you create reverberates outward, touching others, and returning to you in beautiful, unexpected ways.

This practice is designed to lift your spirit, open your heart, and help you feel the quiet joy of being in partnership with life itself. When you allow yourself to participate playfully and with trust, you begin to notice the synchronicities that remind you, you are never alone. Find it on insighttimer.com or on my website. Hugs 💗

09/30/2025

New dads! We see you!

“She remained still, looking to the side, and heard herself say: This is a bad situation you’re in. Remain calm and don’...
09/24/2025

“She remained still, looking to the side, and heard herself say: This is a bad situation you’re in. Remain calm and don’t move.”

I hear stories like this often, from clients, friends, family, I’ve lived it too. In moments of acute danger, people describe an inner voice that cuts through the chaos… read more (link in bio)

09/16/2025

2 questions to ask during a consultation with a potential therapist!

Reposting this carousel from November, because the reminder still matters.Whether on a micro or macro level, when narcis...
09/10/2025

Reposting this carousel from November, because the reminder still matters.

Whether on a micro or macro level, when narcissistic or sociopathic tendencies dominate, reality itself becomes tested. Without limits or consequences, chaos takes root.

As he once said, “When you have power, you can do anything to women…” Now shift that: when power feels immune to accountability, it does anything to humanity. What begins as entitlement becomes gluttony at the expense of morality.

And this isn’t just politics, it’s a mental health crisis. Judgment and ignorance are sneaky culprits that block critical thinking and our ability to evolve. But when we pause, challenge generalizations, identify knowledge gaps, and ground in curiosity and empathy, we choose a different path: one of expansion, integrity, and awareness.

This is what’s possible. Who’s in?

09/09/2025

SATURDAY AT 4PM 🌷Take a pause, breathe deep, and join your neighbors for an hour of mindfulness and connection. Let’s gather as a community to learn, experience and enjoy the fresh air and cool earth beneath us.

You don’t need to hold on to anger to uphold a boundary. That’s liberation.There’s a softness in knowing how strong you ...
02/22/2025

You don’t need to hold on to anger to uphold a boundary. That’s liberation.

There’s a softness in knowing how strong you are.

When we first learn to set boundaries, it often comes with fire. Anger fuels us—after being conditioned to swallow our discomfort, after being dismissed, after convincing ourselves that peace meant silence. The anger feels necessary. And at first, maybe it is.

But real strength isn’t in the fight. It’s in the knowing.

Anger, when held too long, becomes another form of suffering. It convinces us we have to prove, defend, or force our boundaries into existence. But when you’re truly grounded in your own worth, you don’t need to grip so tightly. You don’t need to battle to be understood. You simply uphold the boundary and let it stand.

Because a liberated heart is unbreakable. Not because it doesn’t feel, but because it doesn’t cling. Emotions come and go—fear of loss, of change, of the unknown. But when we move past the ego’s need for control, we find that real peace is in trust.

Trusting that you don’t have to justify your needs.
Trusting that you don’t have to match someone’s energy to be heard.
Trusting that you can hold firm without holding anger.

Liberation isn’t passive. It’s powerful. And it’s yours. Hugs, Caitlin💓

Back in 2017, I hosted my very first couples meditation circle. I was nervous to lead this… will they be convinced? What...
02/20/2025

Back in 2017, I hosted my very first couples meditation circle. I was nervous to lead this… will they be convinced? What if they hate it! I dropped into my heart, broken itself at the time, and got a soft message, “Be tender and speak from here. The knowledge will follow, but move through this from the heart. Don’t use the script you wrote.” I put my notes away and let my heart guide the evening. Some pairs showed up hand-in-hand, both eager to explore. Others had one partner who only came along out of obligation or love for the other. As a therapist and meditation facilitator, I could spot the difference right away there’s a distinct look when someone is thinking, “Why am I here?”

But something magical happened by the end of our practice. Through back-to-back breathing, gentle eye-gazing, and a self-compassion guided meditation, the “reluctant” partners softened. One man even admitted he was there just to make his partner happy but was shocked at how relaxed he felt. He left feeling grateful he came.

It reminded me how sometimes we resist experiences because we’re worried they’ll expose our “flaws” or force us to “improve.” We might think our partner isn’t satisfied with who we are. But when we drop the fear and simply open ourselves to connection, both with ourselves and each other, something beautiful can happen. It’s not about fixing or changing. It’s about showing up for each other, sharing a moment of peace, and realizing how a little bit of vulnerability can lead to a deeper bond.

I feel deeply protective of my clients who have been led to believe that they are being tested… that their struggles, se...
01/31/2025

I feel deeply protective of my clients who have been led to believe that they are being tested… that their struggles, setbacks, and even their pain are punishments for not getting life “right.” Just like when our body is in pain, it’s not punishing us… it’s communicating… it’s asking for something. Attention. Care. A shift. A release.

So much of the work I do is about unlearning the fear-based belief that every hardship is some kind of cosmic test. The universe isn’t keeping score… it’s providing experiences, patterns, and opportunities for awareness. You are not being tested. Our bodies, our emotions, our struggles… they’re not proof of failure. They’re invitations to listen, to tend to ourselves with more compassion, and to move toward healing.

Our souls beat to their own tempo, patiently waiting for the conditioned ego to recognize the safety of its eternal rhythm. Growth isn’t a test. It’s a process of awareness, choice, and integration and synchronization.

Back in 2023, I had the privilege of attending Postpartum Support International’s Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components o...
01/23/2025

Back in 2023, I had the privilege of attending Postpartum Support International’s Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care program. That experience was a profound milestone in my journey as both a mother and a social worker, deepening my understanding of how to support women and their families through the transformative, and often challenging, experiences of fertility, family planning, and postpartum.

Since then, I have continued to participate in ongoing trainings and workshops to expand the knowledge honed in that initial training. From exploring the nuances of prescription medications and hypnobirthing practices to understanding how partners can better care for each other during the postpartum period, I am constantly striving to bring a well-rounded, compassionate approach to my work.

Perinatal mental health is often underestimated, and many families begin their journey without the tools or knowledge to navigate its complexities. I believe a better world begins with proper support and mental health care for mothers, who form the foundation of thriving families and communities. It is my greatest honor to walk alongside these families, offering guidance, resources, and a safe space to grow through this season of life.

To my fellow professionals and advocates, let’s continue to invest in the mental and emotional well-being of mothers and families. It’s work that changes lives and, ultimately, the world.

LINK IN BIO!!! 💞🥰🙌 In my latest blog column, I dive into what it means to navigate life’s big shake-ups, from breakups (...
01/21/2025

LINK IN BIO!!! 💞🥰🙌 In my latest blog column, I dive into what it means to navigate life’s big shake-ups, from breakups (job or relationship) to breakthroughs. As a therapist who works with leaders—and yes, that means you, because whether or not you identify as one, we’re all leaders in our own lives, I’m here to help you reclaim your power.

When we don’t step into that leadership role, our subconscious beliefs end up running the show, often steering us toward fear, doubt, or stagnation. My goal is to help you flip the script, find growth in the chaos, and cultivate faith from within. So, whether you’re dealing with a layoff, a breakup, or just a tough season, let’s explore how these challenges can spark your next chapter of transformation.

Address

748 Morris Turnpike #210
Short Hills, NJ
07040

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