Beth Sonnenberg, LCSW

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"The Best Relationship Advice, According to Experts"
The Oprah Magazine

Be candid about your feelings—the good and the bad.

Regularly opening up can help bring you closer, says psychotherapist Beth Sonnenberg, LCSW.  “Once you think that your feelings don’t matter, won’t be heard, or are not worth sharing, you open the door to harbor negativity and resentment.” That includes positive feelings, too, she points out—especially when they’re connected with your partner. “People need to feel appreciated in any relationship,” she adds.

"Hi, Here's Exactly What to Do When You Find Out You're Unexpectedly Pregnant"

"Knowing that, it’s important to broach the subject of a surprise pregnancy with openness, honesty, and a willingness to problem-solve with your partner. Relationship expert Beth Sonnenberg, LCSW, shares nine important dos and don’ts for breaking the baby news to your boo, and navigating the subsequent emotional rollercoaster."

"Expert tips on creating a balanced morning routine, plus products to help"


“You need to allow some flexibility within your morning routine,” Beth Sonnenberg, LCSW., a board-certified psychotherapist, told The Post. “The takeaway of a balanced morning routine is to provide time for yourself before you start your day — whether that’s moving your body, reminding yourself what you’re grateful for or nourishing your body with good food.”


But, as long as you craft your morning routine to what suits you best, you’ll kickstart your day on the right foot. “It doesn’t have to be black or white,” Sonnenberg added. “If you’re someone that typically hits the snooze button and then wants to wake up at 6 a.m., that’s going to be difficult.”

"The 5 best meditation apps to calm anxiety and practice mindfulness"


“Short meditations around two to five minutes are a great way to start meditating and, as you get better at it, you can increase the time of your practice,” Beth Sonnenberg, LCSW, a psychotherapist in private practice in New Jersey and New York, told The Post. “Make time in your daily schedule, set a timer, create the mood with lighting and music and find a comfortable place to begin; it’s easiest to add it to your day first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening.”

"5 Ways Marriage Is Harder in 2017 (and What You Can Do About It)"


"Before the age of cell phones, extramarital affairs were much more difficult to carry out — and as a result, more easily found out. Today's marital indiscretions can all be carried out on a personal, password protected phone that it is not at all uncommon for our partner to be constantly glued to — which Beth Sonnenberg, LCSW, practicing in Livingston, NJ says has a lot to do with rising infidelity statistics."


"One of the biggest changes in modern marriage is that people have more private lives thanks to texting, emails, IMing and Facebook Messenger that make dishonesty more prevalent," she says. "Whether it's having an emotional or sexual affair or gambling or porn addiction, it's easier to hide things from your spouse. Gone are the days of the mistress calling the home phone during dinner time. This makes cheating more prevalent than ever before."

"How to mourn a breakup so that you can truly move on"

"A breakup can take a toll on our self-esteem, so spend this alone time doing things that make you feel good about yourself. “If you love yourself and enjoy your own company, then you can pick from a higher quality pool of potential partners,” says Beth Sonnenberg, LCSW.   

“Conversely, people who don’t have good self-esteem and don’t think they deserve better often wind up in abusive or unhealthy relationships.”
"Suffering from a 'Netflix hangover? Here's how to cope with the post-binge blues"

"Not being able to feed the addiction at the end of a series is traumatic in itself — but as Beth Sonnenberg, a licensed clinical social worker practicing in New Jersey states, throwing an unresolved cliffhanger onto the end of a binge can really take its toll." 

"When the show ends in a cliffhanger, it is a sharp reminder that the show that they have invested so much time and energy in is fiction," she says. "The realization that they can’t do anything to affect the outcome may leave some feeling helpless, frustrated, manipulated and ripped off."
"Expert Tips To Keep The Peace During Thanksgiving Dinner"

"Aside from decorating, you should also use place cards to strategically seat your guests, says Beth Sonnenberg, licensed clinical social worker and relationship expert. Seat the conflict breeders next to you, adds Caroselli. Give them something to do, like getting the beans from the kitchen, if they try to start an argument. Then, put the people with the most tension between them as far apart from one another as possible, she says."

"Decorations and place cards are not the only Stewart-esque projects you can take on. Planning entertainment is another way to guide the events of the day and distract people, says Sonnenberg. She suggests family trivia, charades and going around the table to share gratitude."
"Get involved and volunteer in NJ this holiday season with these local organizations"

"Beth Sonnenberg, a licensed psychotherapist based in Livingston, offers another suggestion: Children can donate their toys to other children. “They can get to know children from different backgrounds ethnicity, socioeconomic level, mental and physical ability that they might not usually come in contact with,” Sonnenberg says."

“This can provide perspective and help them feel grateful for the things in their lives.”
"Finally Empty Nesters? Try These 7 Ways To Rekindle Your Relationship"

"After being together for 10 years, many couples are wrapped up in elementary age kids’ activities, probably own a house, and are so busy juggling their schedules that they don't spend a lot of time alone as a couple," says licensed clinical social worker Beth Sonnenberg. The next decade brings a similar focus on family: "Most couples have teenage children, and they're stressed about getting them into and paying for college." And then, suddenly, the kids are gone, and you have more free time alone together than you have in ages.
"24 Little White Lies That Are Totally OK to Tell Your Spouse"

What they don't know won't hurt them (and in some cases might even help!).

"Sometimes a little white lie to avoid hurt feelings is fine. For example, if you just couldn't resist watching the next episode of your favorite show even though you said you'd wait, it's OK to pretend like you didn't watch it and then watch it again with them."

"9 Reasons Why You Need a Hot Mess Wife In Your Life Right Now" 

“One of the biggest benefits of having a hot mess mom in your life is that it’s a lot less pressure on you to be perfect,” agrees Beth Sonnenberg, LCSW, a relationship expert. “This is especially if they know they know they are a hot mess.”

"11 Signs You're Failing At Your Relationship & It's Definitely Not A Good Fit"

"One of the biggest signs a relationship is falling apart? If one or both partners suddenly doesn't give AF.  "If you find yourself avoiding your partner (not returning texts, calls, or emails) or not wanting to make plans to see them, that is a sign that your relationship might be failing," says relationship expert Beth Sonnenberg, LCSW.  While that may seem obvious, this bad habit can sneak up on you and build over time. Be sure you don't let that happen."

"How To Move On From A Relationship"

“Give yourself a week or two nights or whatever you need to watch sad movies and cry, but then make a specific date and say, ‘By this date, I’m going to get up, I’m going to get dressed, I’m going to go out,'” says Beth Sonnenberg, a licensed clinical social worker and a psychotherapist in Livingston, New Jersey.

"My Biggest Flex Was Leaving a Controlling Relationship - Here's How I Did It"

“Couples’ therapy does work, but it really depends on how motivated the couple is,” says Beth Sonnenberg, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker and relationship expert based in New Jersey. “Both partners have to be motivated for themselves, not just to please the other person.”

"15 Signs Your Marriage Will Survive Infidelity"

“Infidelity can often be a sign that the relationship was in trouble, but it doesn’t have to be a deal breaker,” relationship expert Beth Sonnenberg, LCSW, tells Romper. “If the couple is motivated to change things and realize that their love and history are too strong to give up on it, these can be signs that a new and improved relationship can be possible.”

"14 Things The Best Partners Do On Father's Day That He'll Genuinely Appreciate"

“Cook or order in a special meal full of foods he’ll enjoy and are celebratory,” Beth Sonnenberg, LCSW, a relationship expert, tells Romper.

"How to Celebrate Grandpa From A Distance This Father's Day"

As licensed clinical social worker Beth Sonnenberg, LCSW, tells Romper: “It is really important, now more than ever, to celebrate grandpas for Father's Day."

"The Happiest Couples Have These 11 Everyday Habits In Common"

Look, we all know that sitting down together and eating as a family isn’t always a reality. But when it is possible, do it, as Beth Sonnenberg, LCSW, a relationship expert, tells Romper. “Sit together for meals as much as possible throughout the week, even if you’re not eating at the same time,” says Sonnenberg. For example, I might eat ahead of time (sorry Michell), but I’ll sit with him while he eats his dinner. It’s about sharing time together, not breaking bread together.

"How To Handle A Breakup When You’re Pregnant, Because It Happens"

“Breaking up with your partner when you are pregnant is a really tough decision,” relationship expert Beth Sonnenberg, LCSW, tells Romper. “It is different than other break ups because you are going to still always be connected and probably remain in each other's life at some capacity as parents to your child.”
"20 Common Things Parents Argue About During The Holidays"

“Money is one of the most common things parents fight about around the holidays,” Beth Sonnenberg, LCSW and relationship expert based in New Jersey, explains to Romper. “Couples need to figure out how much they are going to spend on gifts for their kids, each other, friends and family as well as how much to put towards vacation and what to do with end of the year bonuses.” By having a plan, you can then plan to fight less.
"11 Everyday Habits Of The Happiest Couples That Anybody Can Do"

Look, we all know that sitting down together and eating as a family isn’t always a reality. But when it is possible, do it, as Beth Sonnenberg, LCSW, a relationship expert, tells Romper. “Sit together for meals as much as possible throughout the week, even if you’re not eating at the same time,” says Sonnenberg. For example, I might eat ahead of time (sorry Michell), but I’ll sit with him while he eats his dinner. It’s about sharing time together, not breaking bread together.
How does divorce affect children? If parents aren’t careful, their child or teen might lose their sense of safety and security

"One major reason children and adolescents are more susceptible to mental health issues is that they’re still developing. Their brains are evolving, and they themselves are still growing—physically, mentally, and emotionally. And throughout this developmental period, they need some love and support—of which is often provided by the parents. So, naturally, when divorce is thrown into the mix, the children suffer in more ways than one."

“Their sense of safety and security is suddenly compromised. Children may not have the support that they require because parents may be preoccupied with their situation,” Beth Sonnenberg, licensed clinical social worker, explains. 

“If only one parent is in the home, they might be overwhelmed and not provide enough attention to their kids. All of these factors may cause children to feel more insecure than they were previously and can cause behavior changes like acting out to get negative attention or withdrawing from their peers.”
"Beth Sonnenberg Is a Direct & Nonjudgmental Therapist for Singles & Couples Looking for Guidance"

The Short Version: Licensed Clinical Social Worker Beth Sonnenberg, LCSW runs a private psychotherapy and life coaching practice in Livingston, New Jersey. Though she works with everyone from teens to seniors, her specialty is talking to individuals going through a relationship crisis or major life transition. Most of the time, that means she’s lending her support to people who are experiencing or considering a divorce. Beth’s relationship management services focus on helping her clients recognize and solve harmful patterns in their relationships in productive and proactive ways. Since 1998, she has guided individuals and couples by providing a nonjudgmental perspective on personal issues. Whether you’re feeling stuck in your studies, your career, or your relationship, you can book a confidential session with Beth Sonnenberg to explore your options and decide where you want your life to go.
"Establishing their independence: Experts, students weigh in on college dating culture"

“Young adults in college are just learning who they are and are establishing their independence,” Beth Sonnenberg, a relationship expert in New Jersey, said via email. “Having a boyfriend or girlfriend could give them self esteem, decrease loneliness and provide a source of extra support.”

"Long term couples go the distance during COVID"

"Though the pandemic forced the two apart, it gave them more time to focus on their relationship, a change that many already in relationships prior to the pandemic experienced", according to relationship expert, Beth Sonnenberg. 

"Managing Your Marriage Like a Hotel Stay"

"It is widely known that the key to a solid relationship is communication, but who has time for that?  It's so much easier to text your husband/wife/partner than it is to talk face-to-face. Think of your relationship like a stay in a fancy hotel; there's a logical timeline to be followed to make your experience more pleasant."
"6 Ways to Control Your Social Media World"

"How much time do you spend answering emails or text messages, or catching up on social media? If you kept track for just one day, you might wonder how you manage to work or spend time interacting with the people in your life. Another question to ask yourself: Is social connectivity a positive influence on your daily life?"

"Is Love Under Lockdown?  Campus Data Shows How Students Are Using Dating Apps During COVID-19"

“People are becoming pickier on who they engage with because the stakes are higher, if they’re going to take it to the next level and meet in person,” Beth Sonnenberg, LCSW said. “On the flipside, people are also more motivated if they’re single, with some being extra lonely during these times as well.”

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