- LGBT concerns
- Trauma recovery
- CBT and ACT
About Renee
Dr. Renee Nelson is an Arizona licensed professional counselor (LPC) with 20 years of clinical experience. She works with people facing LGBT concerns, trauma and abuse, grief, coping with life changes, and ADHD. Her practice commonly supports those dealing with chronic illness, relationship stress, workplace pressures, and the ups and downs of early adulthood.
She uses clear, practical methods in sessions. Conversations focus on what feels most urgent, then work moves toward small, manageable shifts. She listens for automatic thoughts and behaviors that get in the way and introduces tools to test and change them.
Dr. Nelson draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice thought patterns and try different responses. She also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to clarify values and build committed action. For people with trauma, she includes EMDR techniques alongside mindfulness practices to reduce distressing memories and bodily reactions.
Sessions are collaborative. The therapist and client set goals together and pick approaches that fit the person's needs and rhythm of life. Progress is measured in concrete steps rather than vague promises.
Clients who are navigating identity questions, leaving home, starting careers, or feeling behind often find the sessions focused on skills they can use between meetings. Her style is direct and practical, aimed at reducing overwhelm and improving daily functioning.
How her therapeutic approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters to them and take small actions aligned with those values. Online sessions using ACT often focus on values clarification exercises and short behavioral experiments to practice between meetings.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) identifies unhelpful thoughts and tests them with real-life experiments. In virtual sessions, CBT work can include structured thought records, activity scheduling, and skills practice that can be reviewed during the next meeting.
EMDR is used here for trauma-related memories and bodily reactions. When EMDR techniques are part of online work, the therapist guides paced bilateral stimulation alongside narrative processing and grounding exercises adapted for the remote setting.
Choosing an approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about their goals, try methods that suit their needs, and adjust if something does not fit. Finding the right mix often happens over a few sessions rather than all at once.
Practical benefits of online sessions include fitting therapy into a busy schedule and reducing travel time. Confirm the current session options before booking to know which formats are offered. Online work can make it easier to keep consistent check-ins, try short skill-focused meetings, or use video and audio in ways that match the client’s daily life.
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
Arizona
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She supports people with LGBT concerns, trauma and abuse, grief, coping with life changes, and ADHD, plus related issues like chronic illness and family of origin problems.
What is her general therapy style?
She uses a practical, goal-focused style that emphasizes skills practice and small behavior changes. Sessions combine talk with exercises to try between meetings.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 20 years of experience as a therapist working with the listed concerns.
Is she licensed and where does she practice?
She is an LPC, licensed in Arizona.
Which languages does she offer sessions in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions billed?
Cost varies by location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Click the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your 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.