Catherine Brenen, LMSW

Catherine Brenen is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) practicing in Michigan with 16 years of experience in mental health care. She focuses on helping people manage common life stressors like anxiety, depression, grief, relationship difficulties, and substance use. Her approach is warm and nonjudgmental, and she aims to help people move toward a better quality of life.

Catherine centers respect and empathy in her work and says faith in God and faith in people inform her outlook. She seeks to offer unconditional positive regard rather than fear-based or shaming methods. Sessions tend to be engaging and supportive while remaining focused on practical steps forward.

Her work draws on several approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, client-centered methods, motivational interviewing, mindfulness, and elements of psychodynamic thinking. She adapts these approaches to fit each person's needs instead of using a single fixed method.

Catherine helps people address a wide range of concerns such as trauma and abuse, aging-related challenges, caregiving stress, intimacy and communication problems, eating and substance use issues, and major life transitions. She also works with mood conditions and personality-related difficulties when they affect daily functioning.

In sessions she will listen first, then collaborate with the client to build a treatment plan. That plan usually mixes practical skill-building, thought work, and reflection to support coping, behavior change, and clearer decision making.

Practical approaches for online care

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps people spot and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. It often includes homework and simple skill practice to reduce anxiety, manage mood, and change habits.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy focuses on building skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer communication. It can be useful when feelings feel intense or relationships are strained.

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and collaboration so the person feels heard and understood while working toward their goals.

Choosing the right approach is a team effort. Catherine will work with each person to identify goals and try strategies that fit their needs and preferences. She adapts methods over time based on what helps most, and she invites feedback so sessions stay useful.

Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Video calls are helpful for face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can fit a busy schedule or use less bandwidth. Live chat and text messaging make it easier to check in between sessions or have shorter, focused conversations. These options make it simpler to get consistent care around work, family, and daily life.