Catherine Brenen, LMSW

Catherine Brenen is a licensed master social worker (LMSW) practicing in Michigan with 16 years of experience in mental health care. She helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, substance use concerns, and relationship problems. Catherine also supports people coping with life changes related to aging and with grief or trauma.

Her approach is warm and engaging. She emphasizes respect, empathy, and positive regard, and she says faith in God and in people informs her work. Catherine avoids judgment and fear-based tactics, and she focuses on helping people move toward a better quality of life.

In sessions she combines practical methods drawn from client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, motivational interviewing, and occasional psychodynamic ideas. She tailors the conversation and plan to the needs of each person rather than using the same steps for everyone. This means sessions can include skill practice, problem-solving, and exploring patterns that affect daily life.

Catherine works with concerns such as intimacy-related issues, eating and parenting struggles, anger and self-esteem problems, bipolar disorder, caregiver stress, and co-occurring substance use. She also addresses attachment and personality-related patterns when they come up in therapy.

She frames the first session as a chance to learn about goals and priorities. People who want a collaborative, faith-aware, and nonjudgmental space may find her style helpful. To begin, clients follow the site process to match and schedule a time to meet.

Approaches and online therapy that fit your life

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and understanding the person's goals. The therapist follows the client's lead, offers empathy, and works to build a trusting connection that helps people talk through what matters most.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) looks at links between thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It uses practical exercises and skill practice to break unhelpful patterns and address problems like anxiety, depression, and stress.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) teaches skills for managing strong emotions, improving relationships, and coping with crisis. It is useful when people need tools to regulate feelings and handle conflict more effectively.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Catherine collaborates with each person to choose methods that match their needs, goals, and preferences. She adjusts the plan as the work progresses so the approach stays useful and relevant.

Confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not listed here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life by reducing travel, allowing shorter check-ins when needed, and making scheduling more flexible. Talk with the therapist about which session style best supports daily routines and access to care.