Charlene Thiede, LMSW, LISW

Charlene Thiede is a licensed clinical social worker holding LMSW and LISW credentials - Licensed Master Social Worker and Licensed Independent Social Worker - authorized to practice in Michigan and Iowa. She uses a person-centered, strengths-based style that begins with where a person is now and builds on existing resources to help them move forward. Her training includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, play therapy for children, and solution-focused techniques, allowing her to tailor interventions to the needs of children, adolescents, adults, and families.

Charlene began her career as a school social worker, gaining direct insight into the challenges students face and developing a specialization in working with children and their families. She later provided behavioral health counseling in both private mental health clinic settings and a large family service agency, broadening her experience across diverse clinical populations. In each session she aims to help people explore the issues they are facing, identify the changes they want, and leave feeling more hopeful and confident about moving forward.

Her approach emphasizes collaboration, clear goals, and practical strategies so that clients can apply what they learn in therapy to everyday life. A memorable compliment from a receptionist - that many people arrived sad and left with a smile - reflects the positive, compassionate atmosphere she strives to create in counseling.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Charlene Thiede commonly draws on client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy in her work. Client-centered therapy focuses on creating an accepting, nonjudgmental environment and helps people explore their values and goals so they can make choices that feel right for them. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) targets unhelpful thoughts and behaviors by teaching practical skills to manage symptoms like anxiety, depression, and stress. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) combines emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills to support people coping with intense emotions and relationship challenges.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Charlene works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She adapts techniques over time so that therapy remains relevant and effective for the client.

Online therapy with Charlene offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, making it easier to fit counseling into busy schedules and to access care from home. These options allow therapists and clients to maintain continuity of care, respond to emerging needs, and choose the mode of communication that feels most comfortable.