Denise Owen , LCSW

Denise Owen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who brings decades of practice to her work with individuals and families. She began in social work during an undergraduate internship with the Department of Social Services in 1986 and completed a Master of Social Work in 1990, going on to obtain her clinical license in 1993. Over her career she has practiced in a variety of settings - inpatient and outpatient facilities, a state psychiatric hospital in North Carolina, a medical hospital in South Carolina, a military base in Virginia, and multiple outpatient agencies in Pennsylvania - giving her broad experience with diverse populations.

Her clinical background includes work with children who have behavioral and developmental challenges, long-term psychiatric patients, hospice clients, state and federal inmates, and military service members, their families, and children. She has provided services for people coping with domestic violence, addictions, grief, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. Denise continues professional development through seminars and conferences in medical, psychological, social work, and ethics topics to expand her cultural awareness and clinical skills. She is not currently working in an inpatient setting.

Denise approaches therapy with collaborative goal setting and individual assessment at the center of care. She emphasizes building rapport before beginning focused therapeutic work, involving each person in selecting approaches that fit their needs and shifting strategies when an approach is not working. Outside of clinical practice she has taught in the homeschool network for more than a decade, taught introductory psychology and sociology at the community college level, and authored two children’s books - "Turtle Gliding" (2009) and "Why Does God Pull Teeth?" (2018). She respects the courage it takes to seek help and likens therapy to exercise - challenging at first but rewarding once the work begins.

Therapeutic Approaches for Effective Online Care

Denise Owen uses a mix of evidence-informed approaches to meet each person where they are. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck by them - this approach can be useful for stress, anxiety, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and some trauma-related difficulties. Client-Centered Therapy places the person at the center of the process - the therapist offers empathy, active listening, and support while the individual leads the pace and direction of change.

Finding the right approach is part of the work itself. Denise collaborates with each person to assess needs, goals, and preferences and then recommends or combines methods that fit. If an approach is not helpful, she will work with the client to try a different strategy so treatment remains personalized and practical.

Online therapy with licensed professionals offers flexibility for busy schedules and those who prefer remote access. Sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing people to choose formats that match their comfort level and daily life. This flexibility can make it easier to maintain consistency in care and to apply therapeutic tools in the context of everyday situations.