Profile / United States
Darlene Wilken, LPC, LPC-MHSP
Tennessee
Licensed Professional Counselor - Addiction and mood concerns
See online therapy options- Addictions focus
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
About Darlene
Darlene Wilken is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with eight years of experience practicing in Tennessee. She works with adults on issues such as addiction, anxiety, depression, bipolar symptoms, and ADHD. She also helps people coping with grief, trauma and abuse, parenting stresses, relationship and intimacy concerns, and workplace or career strain.
She began her career in inpatient settings focused on addiction and mental health for adults. More recently she has worked in a methadone clinic supporting people with opiate addiction and co-occurring mental health needs. That background means she often sees clients juggling substance use concerns alongside mood or anxiety symptoms.
Her approach draws on several practical methods. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is part of her toolkit for spotting unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills and mindfulness techniques appear in sessions when emotional regulation or distress tolerance are priorities. Motivational Interviewing is used when clients are weighing change around substance use or other habits.
Sessions focus on clear, actionable steps rather than abstract talk. She uses person-centered and solution-focused ideas to keep conversations goal-directed and concrete. Parents and people managing life changes can expect short-term strategies and skill practice they can try between sessions.
Language of service is English and she accepts international clients. Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, people complete a brief matching questionnaire and schedule a first session.
How her approaches translate to online work
Online sessions can use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors in everyday situations. CBT offers straightforward exercises and homework that people can practice between appointments to see what helps with anxiety, depression, or attention difficulties.DBT brings skills for managing intense emotions and improving distress tolerance. Those skills are taught as concrete steps and can be practiced in short exercises during an online meeting. Motivational Interviewing supports conversations about change by clarifying personal reasons for change and building small, achievable plans when substance use or other habits are a concern.
Deciding which approach to use is collaborative. The therapist will work with the client to choose methods that fit the person’s goals, needs, and preferences, and can adjust strategies as work progresses.
The biography does not specify exact session formats, so confirm available options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a workday, reduce travel time, or allow shorter check-ins when needed. They also let the therapist use homework, worksheets, and skills coaching that carry over into daily life.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
8+ years
Listed in
Wisconsin, Tennessee
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she work with most often?
She works with addiction and substance use concerns plus mood disorders like depression and bipolar symptoms. She also helps with anxiety, trauma and abuse, stress, grief, relationship and parenting issues.
How would therapy feel day to day with her?
Sessions are practical and interactive with a focus on skills and steps to try between meetings. Conversations are directed toward specific goals rather than open-ended exploration.
How many years has she been practicing?
She has eight years of professional experience working in inpatient settings and clinics supporting people with addiction and mental health needs.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She holds Licensed Professional Counselor credentials: LPC and LPC-MHSP, and practices in Tennessee.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
International clients are accepted; please confirm any licensing or regional considerations during intake.
What session formats are offered?
The biography does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How do I start a first appointment?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session after matching.
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.