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Catherine Brenen, LMSW

Compassionate Michigan LMSW guiding healing
  • Anxiety and stress support
  • Trauma and grief care
  • Addictions and recovery guidance

About Catherine Brenen

Catherine Brenen is a licensed Clinical Social Worker in Michigan who brings 16 years of experience supporting people through a wide range of life challenges. She works with individuals facing anxiety, stress, depression, substance use, trauma and abuse, relationship and family concerns, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating and parenting struggles, anger and self-esteem difficulties, career transitions, bipolar disorder, and the stresses that come with aging and caregiving. She also addresses attachment and personality-related concerns, codependency, communication and control issues, dissociation, and separation or divorce.

Catherine grounds her work in respect, empathy, and positive regard, and she names faith in God and trust in people as foundational to her practice. Her therapeutic style is warm and engaging and she does not use judgment or fear-based tactics. She emphasizes unconditional positive regard while helping clients pursue a higher quality of life.

Her method blends solution-focused strategies with client-centered care, dialectical and cognitive-behavioral techniques, and at times psychodynamic ideas. Catherine tailors conversations and treatment plans to each person’s unique needs, focusing on practical steps and collaborative problem solving. She holds an LMSW - a Licensed Master Social Worker credential - which reflects advanced training in social work and clinical practice.

Areas of Expertise

Primary Focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsDepression

Also Specializes In

Trauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue

Additional Focus Areas

Aging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDissociationDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessHospice and end-of-life counselingInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsPersonality disordersPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic Approach

Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy

Frequently Asked Questions

How much experience does Catherine Brenen have?

Catherine Brenen has 16 years of experience as a mental health provider.

Is Catherine Brenen a licensed therapist?

Yes. She holds the LMSW credential. License details: MI LMSW 6801096367.

In which languages does Catherine Brenen provide therapy?

She provides therapy in English.

Where is Catherine Brenen located?

She is based in Michigan.

How can I work with Catherine Brenen as my therapist?

You can work with Catherine Brenen through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

Does Catherine Brenen work with international clients?

Catherine Brenen does not currently work with international clients.

How much does therapy with Catherine Brenen cost?

The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, just click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.

How can I get started with therapy?

Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Just click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.

Approaches That Guide Online Care

Catherine commonly uses client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in her online work. Client-centered therapy focuses on creating an empathetic, nonjudgmental space where the client’s goals and experience direct the pace and focus of work - it is helpful for relationship issues, self-esteem, and life transitions. CBT looks at the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and offers practical tools to change patterns that contribute to anxiety, depression, and coping difficulties. DBT emphasizes skills for managing intense emotions, improving interpersonal effectiveness, and reducing self-destructive behaviors, making it useful for emotional regulation, anger, and complex trauma responses.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Catherine works collaboratively with clients to identify which methods align with their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adapts techniques over time as circumstances change.

Online therapy with Catherine is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing flexibility to fit therapy into busy schedules, caregiving commitments, or when travel is difficult. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care and access therapeutic support from wherever a client is located within the therapist’s service area.

Ready to start therapy with Catherine Brenen?

Take the first step toward a better you.