Catherine Brenen, LMSW

Catherine Brenen is a Michigan licensed master social worker (LMSW) with 16 years of experience supporting adults through a wide range of life challenges. She works with people coping with anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma and abuse, relationship and family difficulties, grief, parenting concerns, eating and intimacy-related issues, career transitions, bipolar disorder, and the stresses that accompany aging and caregiving. Her practice also addresses problems such as codependency, communication and commitment issues, substance use, and coping with major life changes.

Catherine brings a warm, engaging style rooted in respect, empathy, and positive regard. Faith in God and in people informs her compassionate stance, and she intentionally avoids judgment or fear-based approaches. Her aim is to offer unconditional positive regard while helping clients move toward a more satisfying, higher-quality life. She blends client-centered methods with cognitive-behavioral and dialectical techniques and tailors conversations and treatment plans to each person’s needs and goals.

Clients can expect a collaborative partnership in which Catherine adapts interventions to fit their situation and values. She welcomes the courage it takes to begin therapy and is ready to support individuals through the process of change and healing.

Approaches and Online Support for Lasting Change

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening with empathy and meeting clients where they are. It emphasizes collaboration and respect, helping people explore their values, relationships, and life directions in a supportive environment. This approach is useful for concerns such as relationship struggles, self-esteem, grief, and navigating life transitions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps clients identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. It offers practical strategies for managing anxiety, depression, addictions, and patterns that interfere with daily functioning, often through skill-building and structured exercises.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) combines acceptance and change strategies to improve emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. It can be especially helpful for intense emotions, relationship conflicts, and coping with stress or self-destructive behaviors.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Catherine works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods align with their goals, preferences, and life circumstances, and she adjusts the plan as progress unfolds.

Online therapy with a licensed professional offers flexible access to care through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life changes, and receive timely support from a therapist in Michigan who uses evidence-informed approaches.