Catherine Brenen

Catherine Brenen is a licensed master social worker practicing in Michigan with 16 years of experience in mental health care. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and substance use issues. Her work also includes support for relationship and intimacy concerns, grief, parenting strain, and challenges that come with aging.

Her style is warm and engaging. She centers respect, empathy, and unconditional positive regard in sessions. Catherine says she avoids judgment and fear-based tactics, and looks for practical ways to help people move toward a better quality of life.

Her approach adapts to each person. She draws on client-centered methods, cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical behavior ideas, mindfulness skills, and trauma-focused thinking when appropriate. She blends these into conversations and plans that match what each person needs.

Sessions focus on clear goals and skills people can use between meetings. That might mean learning ways to manage strong emotions, changing unhelpful thinking, building healthier communication, or coping with grief and life transitions. Catherine works with people to set realistic steps and track progress over time.

She encourages anyone feeling nervous about beginning therapy to take the next step. Catherine offers a supportive space to talk things through and to plan practical changes. She invites people to reach out and start the process when they are ready.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress by teaching practical tools you can use between sessions. Trauma-Focused Therapy centers on understanding and reducing the ongoing impact of past harm. It helps people process traumatic memories and learn coping strategies to manage triggers and flashbacks.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will listen to your goals and concerns, and together you will decide which methods fit best. Plans are adjusted over time based on what is working and what feels comfortable for you.

Confirm the available session formats before booking, as the biography does not specify which online or in-person options are offered. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into busy days, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. It can also help when quieter surroundings or lower bandwidth are preferable. Licensed professionals can guide options that suit your schedule and needs.