- Stress and anxiety
- Guilt and shame
- Trauma and abuse
About Denise
Denise Butcher is a Licensed Certified Social Worker in Maryland (LCSW-C) with five years of clinical experience. She works with people dealing with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self-esteem struggles, depression, and ADHD. She also helps with guilt and shame and related concerns such as abandonment, attachment, and forgiveness.
She uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques to help people name what they are feeling and try different ways of responding. Sessions include straightforward conversation about patterns, practical strategies to manage symptoms, and attention to how relationships and faith can affect emotion. Denise respects each person's beliefs and includes faith considerations when they matter to the client.
People who feel isolated, overwhelmed by caregiving, or unsettled after a breakup often come to work through what happened and figure out next steps. She talks through how control issues, impulsivity, or panic symptoms show up day to day and offers ways to respond that reduce immediate distress. Denise pays attention to money worries, chronic illness burdens, and how those stressors interact with mood and motivation.
Her approach aims to be clear and actionable. Conversations focus on skills for managing anxiety, steps for addressing shame, and improving communication patterns. Progress is tracked in small, practical goals that reflect the client's priorities.
If someone wants to begin, the usual first step is a short intake to map concerns and set an initial plan. Clients are asked about their goals so sessions can concentrate on the areas they find most pressing.
How evidence-based approaches are used in online sessions
Two common evidence-based approaches she draws on are structured cognitive techniques and exposure-based strategies. Structured cognitive techniques help people notice unhelpful thinking patterns and try different, more balanced thoughts; they can be useful for anxiety, depression, and persistent guilt. Exposure-based strategies involve gradual, supported practice facing feared or avoided situations to reduce panic and avoidance over time.Another useful approach focuses on skills for emotion regulation and communication. This teaches concrete steps for calming intense reactions, improving how someone speaks up, and managing impulsivity or strong shame responses. These methods are presented in short exercises and homework the client can practice between sessions.
Finding the right combination of methods is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to choose approaches based on their goals, preferences, and how symptoms show up. That lets sessions stay practical and focused on what the client wants to change.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm the available online options before booking. In general online work makes it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, allows for check-ins without travel, and offers options for shorter or longer sessions depending on what a client needs. Many people find remote sessions help maintain continuity when schedules or responsibilities make in-person visits difficult.
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Experience
5+ years
Listed in
Maryland
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she work with?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self-esteem issues, depression, and ADHD, and addresses related themes like guilt and shame.
How would she approach feelings of shame or guilt?
The approach uses evidence-based techniques to identify how shame or guilt show up and then practices concrete ways to respond to those feelings in daily life.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has five years of experience as a clinician working with mood, anxiety, and trauma-related concerns.
What credential does she hold and where does she practice?
She is an LCSW-C licensed in Maryland and provides services from that state.
Does she work in other languages or with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are offered?
Session formats are not specified in the biography; please confirm current session options before booking.
How does payment work and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.