Annette Warner , LICSW

Annette Warner is a licensed clinical social worker (LICSW - Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) practicing in Minnesota with 22 years of experience supporting children, families, and adults with complex mental health needs. She has worked extensively with students and has served as a foster parent for the past 7 years, a role that has deepened her expertise and commitment to trauma-informed care.

Her clinical work has included supporting adults with severe and persistent mental health conditions and dual diagnosis, while also addressing a wide range of concerns such as depression, parenting difficulties, relationship struggles, grief, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and ADHD. Trauma remains a central focus of her practice, informed by specialized training and direct experience across settings involving young people and families.

Annette’s therapeutic style is respectfully warm and attentive, designed to create emotional and physical space where clients can feel comfortable sharing difficult material and beginning the healing process. She employs trauma-focused cognitive behavioral techniques alongside family-centered and solution-focused methods to tailor care to each situation. She recognizes the courage it takes to seek help and is committed to supporting individuals and families as they work toward clearer coping and more stable relationships.

Trauma-Informed and Cognitive Approaches for Online Care

Annette commonly uses trauma-focused therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy in her work. Trauma-focused therapy concentrates on understanding and processing traumatic experiences, helping people reduce the ways those memories interfere with daily life and relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and developing practical skills to manage symptoms like anxiety, depression, and obsessive behaviors, offering tools for clearer coping and problem solving.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process, and Annette treats that as a collaboration. She works with each person to explore which methods align with their goals, needs, and preferences, and adjusts techniques over time so the work remains useful and relevant.

Online therapy through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging can make engaging in therapy easier to fit into daily life. These options increase flexibility for scheduling, reduce travel time, and allow ongoing contact when in-person visits are difficult. Licensed professionals and therapists can adapt these formats to deliver structured interventions, supportive listening, and skills practice in ways that match individual circumstances.