Denise Mason, LICSW, LCSW

Denise Mason is a licensed clinical social worker who brings a warm, direct, and goal-focused approach to therapy. She earned her Master of Social Work from Norfolk State University in 2000 with a concentration in Family Systems Practice and completed a Bachelor of Arts at Hampton University in 1995. Her professional background includes licenses to practice clinical social work and an independent social work credential, reflecting years of training and practice in clinical settings.

Denise has worked across a range of concerns, specializing in mood and adjustment disorders such as depression and anxiety as well as trauma-related conditions. She also supports clients facing issues with addictions, grief, relationship and family challenges, parenting, career transitions, and self-esteem. Her experience spans work with adults, children, and families, and she incorporates practical goal-setting into both personal and professional areas of clients' lives.

In session Denise is honest, open, and encouraging, and she brings her genuine self to the work. She values a collaborative relationship, offering support from the first meeting and throughout the counseling process. She believes humor can be a helpful tool when appropriate and combines client-centered care with cognitive behavioral techniques, motivational interviewing, and stages of change interventions to help people move toward the life they want for themselves and their loved ones.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Denise draws on client-centered therapy to create a collaborative, empathetic space where the client's priorities guide the work. This approach focuses on understanding each person's experience and building goals that matter to them, which can help with relationship concerns, self-esteem, and life transitions.

She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a practical, skills-based method that helps people identify patterns of thinking and behavior that contribute to anxiety, depression, and mood difficulties. CBT emphasizes actionable strategies to change unhelpful thoughts and build coping skills.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy techniques may be incorporated to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness when clients face intense emotions or relationship challenges. These skills offer concrete tools for managing crises and improving daily functioning.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. Denise works collaboratively with each person to assess needs, preferences, and goals, and adapts methods to fit the individual rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which allow for flexible scheduling and access from different locations. These formats make it easier for busy people, caregivers, and those in remote areas to connect with licensed professionals and continue consistent therapeutic work without disruption.