Dr. Gloria Fennell, LICSW, LCSW

Dr. Gloria Fennell is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Minnesota and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Wisconsin. She brings 20 years of clinical and teaching experience to her work. Her background includes nursing in trauma settings and long experience as a social work educator. She aims to build a respectful, practical relationship with each person she sees.

Dr. Fennell prefers a strengths-based approach. She and the client choose intervention strategies together rather than imposing a single method. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness techniques are often part of sessions when they fit the client's goals.

Her clinical path began as a Registered Nurse working with trauma, then moved into social work where she earned a Master of Social Work and a Ph.D. in Clinical Social Work. That mix of medical and social work experience informs how she thinks about stress, grief, and major life transitions.

Sessions are practical and focused on what a person wants to change. Conversations often include skills practice, values clarification, and small experiments to try between meetings. The pace and emphasis are adjusted to each person's needs.

Dr. Fennell has worked in schools, community mental health, and private practice. She also taught social work at undergraduate and graduate levels for two decades. That teaching background supports clear explanations and step-by-step planning in clinical work.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Dr. Fennell commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy alongside client-centered and mindfulness-based practices. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce anxiety and depression. ACT emphasizes clarifying what matters most and taking committed action even when difficult feelings are present. Client-centered work centers the conversation on the person’s goals and helps build a trusting working relationship.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about symptoms, goals, and preferences, then suggest strategies to try. Plans are adjusted over time based on what is helping and what isn’t, so the work stays relevant to the individual.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility. Video sessions let therapists and clients use visual cues and practice skills together. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or for a shorter check-in. Live chat and messaging are useful for brief reflections, homework check-ins, or when writing feels more comfortable. These options make it easier to fit work on stress, grief, or life changes into a busy schedule.