Shanden Brutsch, LCSW

Shanden Brutsch is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in California who specializes in supporting female military veterans dealing with PTSD symptoms, anxiety, trauma, intimacy concerns, anger, and depression. She works with clients in both individual and group settings, focusing on building a professional, collaborative relationship that helps clients clarify their goals and take practical steps toward them.

Growing up in a family connected to the military and first responder community has shaped her perspective and approach, making her particularly attuned to the experiences of veterans and those close to service life. She offers a calm space where clients can tell their stories, explore the reasons behind their reactions, and discover inner strengths to draw upon.

Shanden emphasizes moving from insight to action, helping clients reduce the burden they carry and develop skills to manage symptoms and improve relationships. As an LCSW - a licensed clinical social worker - she brings clinical training and practical experience to support recovery and resilience. She encourages prospective clients to reach out and learn how her approach can help lighten their load.

Evidence-based care and flexible online options

Shanden Brutsch draws from trauma-informed practices that prioritize understanding how past events influence current feelings and reactions, helping clients process difficult memories and reduce their impact on daily life. She also uses skills-based interventions focused on stress and anxiety management, teaching concrete techniques for emotion regulation, grounding, and coping that can be applied between sessions. In addition, her work includes relational and communication-focused approaches aimed at improving intimacy, resolving conflict, and strengthening connections with partners and family.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Shanden collaborates with each client to identify goals, assess which methods fit best, and adapt strategies over time based on progress and preferences. This collaborative process helps ensure that therapy meets the client's needs and evolves as those needs change.

Online therapy with Shanden can take place by video call, phone session, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for busy schedules and varied comfort levels. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care while accessing support from home or other convenient locations, and allow licensed professionals like Shanden to deliver consistent, evidence-informed treatment across formats.