Profile / United States
Catherine Brenen, LMSW
Michigan
LMSW - Anxiety and Addiction work
See online therapy options- CBT strategies
- DBT skills
- Motivational style
About Catherine
Catherine Brenen is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in Michigan with 16 years of clinical experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, addiction, depression, trauma and abuse, and issues that come with aging. She also helps clients with relationship and intimacy concerns, parenting and blended family stressors, grief, and career-related strain.
Her approach is practical and conversational. Sessions focus on clear goals and steps people can try between meetings. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to spot unhelpful thoughts and habits, and she pairs that with client-centered listening and some Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills for emotion regulation.
Catherine describes her style as engaging and respectful. She avoids judgment and does not use fear-based tactics. Faith and belief in people are part of how she connects with clients when those themes are relevant to the work.
In session she blends problem-solving and talk-based methods. That can include looking at thoughts that keep problems going, practicing new ways to react, and using mindfulness to steady attention. Motivational interviewing is offered when change feels difficult and a different kind of conversation helps get unstuck.
She works with a wide range of concerns including substance use, eating and intimacy-related issues, dissociation, attachment and personality-related struggles, caregiver stress, and coping with life transitions. Catherine frames therapy as a step-by-step process and helps people set realistic, observable goals they can test between sessions.
How Catherine applies structured approaches in online sessions
Online work uses practical techniques from approaches she lists, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. CBT is about identifying thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and trying specific experiments to change them. It helps with anxiety, depression, and behaviors like substance use. DBT focuses on emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills to manage intense feelings and reduce impulsive reactions.She also uses client-centered methods that prioritize listening and reflecting so clients can set their own goals. Deciding which approach to use is collaborative - the therapist and client look at current problems, goals, and preferences and then pick methods to try together. Adjustments are made as needed based on what works in practice.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so please confirm the current online options before booking. In general, online sessions can make it easier to fit meetings around work or family time, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. The therapist will discuss which session length and rhythm best fit a client's schedule and goals.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
16+ years
Listed in
Michigan
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she address most often?
She works with stress, anxiety, addiction, depression, trauma, grief, relationship and parenting concerns, and issues related to aging.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is conversational and goal-focused, avoiding judgment and fear-based tactics while using respectful listening and practical steps.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 16 years of experience as a mental health provider working with a range of concerns.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is an LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker) practicing in Michigan.
Can sessions be conducted in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she accept international clients?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are session costs handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin working together?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.