Denise Stinson, LMSW

Denise Stinson is a licensed master social worker (LMSW) based in Michigan who helps people facing grief, stress, anxiety, depression, and big life changes. She often supports those coping with chronic illness, pain, cancer, caregiving strain, and end-of-life concerns. Denise works in a direct, empathic way and encourages people who want to make real changes in their lives.

Her style is warm and non-judgmental. She focuses on clients' strengths and on practical steps they can use between sessions. Sessions are collaborative and goal oriented, with attention to how cultural background and life stage affect each person's situation.

Denise uses a mix of approaches to match each person's needs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps identify patterns of thinking that fuel worry or low mood. Narrative Therapy invites people to tell and reshape their stories. Motivational Interviewing supports readiness for change and setting workable goals.

She has about 10 years of experience working with adults in settings that include aging and geriatric concerns, hospice and end-of-life counseling, and disaster-related stress. Denise also draws on knowledge of community resources to help people access support beyond therapy.

People who choose her often want practical tools, clear goals, and steady support while they adjust to major life events. Denise aims to help clients move forward at a pace that feels manageable.

How her approaches translate to online care

Denise commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing to help clients make concrete changes. CBT focuses on spotting and changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns that maintain anxiety or depression. Motivational Interviewing helps people resolve mixed feelings and set realistic, achievable goals.

She also draws on Client-Centered Therapy to keep sessions grounded in empathy and listening, so the client’s priorities guide the work. Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative process. The therapist and client will discuss goals, preferences, and what feels most useful, then try techniques that fit the situation.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm the current session options before booking since formats were not specified in the biography. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life - shorter check-ins can be scheduled around work breaks, or sessions can remove travel time and help maintain continuity during health-related disruptions. These practical benefits help many people stay consistent with therapy while they manage caregiving, chronic illness, or other day-to-day demands.