Denise Thelander, LISW

Denise Thelander is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) practicing in Iowa with three years of clinical experience. She centers her work on trauma-informed, body-based trauma therapy, offering an approach that honors how stress and past injury can show up in the body as well as the mind. Denise applies practical, evidence-informed methods to help clients navigate difficult symptoms and everyday challenges.

Her practice addresses a range of concerns including depression, anxiety, anger management, grief, stress, and trauma, and she also supports families and relationships, caregiving stress, and life transitions. Denise works with clients facing special needs and chronic health concerns, and she attends to related issues such as attachment and abandonment, communication difficulties, and midlife adjustments.

She provides services in English and is available to work with international clients. Denise offers flexible session formats to fit clients' needs and life schedules, using therapeutic techniques grounded in research and adapted to each person's goals. Her trauma-informed stance emphasizes safety, pacing, and respect for the body-mind connection as clients rebuild resilience and cope with change.

Trauma-Informed and Body-Based Care Online

Denise uses body-based trauma therapy to help clients notice and work with how traumatic experiences are held in the body. This approach integrates somatic awareness and gentle interventions to reduce physical tension and support regulation, which can be helpful for people coping with trauma, chronic stress, or somatic symptoms. Denise also practices a trauma-informed approach that prioritizes safety, pacing, and the client’s sense of control - it emphasizes understanding the impact of trauma and tailoring care to avoid re-traumatization.

Finding the right approach is part of therapy. Denise collaborates with each client to identify techniques and pacing that fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting methods as progress unfolds. The work is a team effort focused on building resilience and practical coping strategies.

Online therapy with Denise is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for busy schedules and varied comfort levels. These options make it easier to access consistent support from a licensed professional without geographic constraints, enabling continuity of care for clients at different stages of life or living in different places.