About Denise
Denise O'Brien uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques to help people facing addiction and LGBT-related concerns. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Vermont and brings ten years of clinical experience to her work.
Background and approach
Denise aims to create a respectful, sensitive space where clients feel heard as they take steps toward change. She focuses on practical conversations tailored to each person's situation.
Sessions are organized around the client’s goals, and Denise adapts her questions and suggestions to what matters most to the person in front of her. She centers compassion and straightforward guidance rather than jargon.
Denise helps people talk through issues related to addiction, and she offers support on LGBT topics using an affirming approach. She also addresses personal themes like forgiveness, finding life purpose, and building self-love in day-to-day life.
Her work balances direct skills practice with time to reflect on values and choices. Over a decade of experience has given her a range of approaches to draw from, and she matches methods to the needs of each client.
Conversations may include concrete tools, planning for change, and attention to emotional patterns that get in the way. Therapy with Denise typically begins by clarifying goals and creating a plan that fits a person’s schedule and priorities.
She encourages small, sustainable steps and follows the client’s pace while offering clear feedback and practical next steps.
Approaches that guide online sessions
Denise draws on evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on clear skills and practical change. One approach emphasizes teaching concrete coping and relapse-prevention skills to address addictive behaviors; sessions might include planning for triggers, practicing new routines, and tracking progress between meetings. Another approach centers on exploring identity and values in LGBT-related concerns, helping people clarify what matters to them and how to act in ways that reflect those values.Finding the right approach is a joint effort. Denise works collaboratively to identify which methods match a person’s goals and preferences, and she adjusts the plan as the work unfolds. That means trying an approach for a few sessions and changing course if something feels off or if other needs emerge.
Online therapy formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which makes it easier to fit therapy into a busy life. Video is useful for deeper conversation and exercises that benefit from visual cues, while phone sessions require less bandwidth and can be easier to schedule. Live chat and text messaging are good for brief check-ins, quick problem-solving, and ongoing support between longer sessions. These options give practical flexibility for continuing care without disrupting daily routines.
Frequently asked questions
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Specialties and expertise
Top specialties
Also works with
- Experience
- 10 years
- Licensed
- Vermont
- Languages
- English