- Client-centered methods
- CBT and DBT strategies
- Motivational interviewing
About Catherine
Catherine Brenen is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) practicing in Michigan with 16 years of experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, addiction, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, and life changes related to aging. Catherine also addresses parenting concerns, career stress, and patterns like codependency and communication problems.
Her way of working is direct and respectful. She avoids judgment and does not use fear-based tactics. Conversations focus on identifying practical steps and understanding patterns that keep problems repeating.
Catherine mixes familiar methods such as client-centered work, cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical strategies, motivational interviewing, mindfulness, and psychodynamic ideas. In sessions she listens, reflects what matters, and practices skills with clients so they can try different responses in day-to-day life.
People who come to her often want to change a specific behavior, manage strong emotions, reduce substance use, or rebuild relationships. She helps people break down goals into achievable steps and track progress over time.
She grounds sessions in respect and in personal values, including faith when clients want to include that. The focus is on clear problem solving, learning emotional skills, and restoring more stable routines and relationships.
How Catherine’s therapeutic approaches translate to online work
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. It often involves setting clear goals, practicing new responses, and reviewing what worked between sessions. CBT is commonly used for anxiety, depression, and problems with mood or habits.Dialectical Behavior Therapy focuses on building emotional skills such as distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT-style techniques are useful for managing intense feelings, reducing impulsive actions, and improving communication in relationships.
Choosing an approach is a collaborative process. Catherine will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has helped or not helped before. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan as progress is tracked.
The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm available online options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when time is tight, and reduce travel time around school or work. Therapists can use skill practice, worksheets, and conversational coaching in remote sessions to support changes in daily life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
16+ years
Listed in
Michigan
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy and relationship issues, parenting, career strain, and aging-related life changes.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Catherine uses a respectful, nonjudgmental approach that focuses on practical steps. She combines client-centered conversation with cognitive and dialectical techniques.
How much experience does she have?
She has 16 years of experience as a mental health provider working in clinical settings and with community clients.
What are her credentials and location?
She is an LMSW - Licensed Master Social Worker - practicing in Michigan.
Does she work in languages other than English or with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are offered?
The original biography does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How does payment or cost work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy through BetterHelp is for adults aged 18 and over and is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.