Ardella (Della) VanDyke, LICSW

Ardella (Della) VanDyke is a licensed independent clinical social worker who focuses on helping people facing anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, and life changes. She aims to make therapy straightforward and practical for someone juggling busy days and big feelings. Della writes and talks in clear, plain terms so parents and caregivers can quickly see if her style fits their needs.

Della uses tools from cognitive behavioral therapy to help people notice unhelpful thought patterns and try different ways of thinking and behaving. She also draws on acceptance and commitment work to help clients clarify values and take meaningful steps, and on client-centered methods to keep sessions respectful and collaborative. These approaches are used to address issues like stress, relationships, parenting strain, and intimacy concerns.

With 25 years of experience as a Minnesota LICSW - licensed independent clinical social worker - she brings both hands-on skill and long practice listening to people through hard times. That background includes work with chronic illness, caregiver stress, and substance-related problems. She aims to meet each person where they are and move at a pace that feels manageable.

Sessions focus on clear goals, practical skills, and problem-solving for daily life. Della helps people build routines that reduce overwhelm and improve mood. She encourages small, steady changes rather than sudden fixes.

Her approach is collaborative and respectful. She works with people who want to tackle family issues, heal from trauma, improve communication, or find a clearer life direction. The goal is steady progress toward better coping and more satisfying relationships.

Therapeutic approaches and online options

Ardella combines cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy to address mood, anxiety, addiction, and relationship concerns. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing different behaviors to change how someone feels. Acceptance and commitment therapy helps people clarify what matters to them and take committed action, even when emotions feel difficult.

She approaches online work as a collaborative process. Together the client and therapist will try methods that match the client's needs and adjust them over time. Della encourages clients to talk about what works best for them so the plan stays practical and useful.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face interaction for skill coaching and feedback. Phone sessions can be a quieter option when less bandwidth or hands-free time is needed. Live chat and text messaging suit brief check-ins, between-session support, or people who prefer writing over speaking. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, family, and health-related routines while keeping the focus on progress and usable tools.