Works with
- Anger
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Depression
How Brenda works
Practical facts
- Credentials
- LCSW, CSW
- Licensed in
- Georgia, Virginia
- Years in practice
- 31
- Languages
- English
- Session format
- Online, through our partner platform
About Brenda
Brenda Atkinson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 31 years of practical experience. She works in Virginia and helps people facing mood disorders, anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, and life transitions. Brenda also supports people dealing with relationship strain, parenting concerns, blended family challenges, and anger issues.
Her training includes studies in psychology and social work from the University of Louisville, with a focus on family systems. Brenda blends that background with several therapy approaches to match each person's needs.
Background and approach
She uses Attachment-Based ideas to look at relational patterns and Client-Centered methods to keep conversations grounded in the client's experience. She also draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy tools when people need concrete skills to manage emotions and behavior. Emotionally-Focused Therapy informs her work around relationship and intimacy concerns.
Sessions are practical and aim to help people notice patterns, practice new responses, and build healthier connections. Brenda often helps people navigate big life changes - from early adulthood to later life - and supports those who want emotional and spiritual growth during transitions.
She pays attention to communication problems, control issues, codependency, and attachment wounds while addressing co-occurring concerns like substance use or bipolar symptoms. Her style is genuine and compassionate. Brenda aims to create a straightforward space where people can talk through problems, learn coping strategies, and set achievable goals for change.
What Brenda works with
Everything Brenda lists, in the therapist's own terms. Anger is the reason this directory exists; the rest tells you what usually sits alongside it in Brenda's practice.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Depression
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- Abandonment
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Antisocial personality
- Attachment issues
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Co-morbidity
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Dependent personality
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Dissociation
- Divorce and separation
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- First responder issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Mood disorders
- Narcissism
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Personality disorders
- Phobias
- Post-traumatic stress
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Brenda lists
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Existential Therapy
- Jungian Therapy
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Online approaches that build skills and connection
Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships shape current patterns. In online sessions this can help people understand why they react strongly in close relationships and learn new ways to connect. Client-Centered Therapy centers the person's experience and gives them space to be heard; it is useful when someone needs empathy and steady support while sorting out goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors; it provides clear techniques for managing anxiety, anger, and mood symptoms.Choosing the best approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. Together they can try different strategies and adjust the focus over time to find what helps most for the person's situation.
Online therapy offers flexible ways to meet. Video calls allow face-to-face work when visual connection matters. Phone sessions are an option when bandwidth is limited or when a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day or to send brief updates between sessions. These formats help people access consistent support while managing work, family, and travel commitments.
Questions people ask about Brenda
What kinds of concerns does Brenda address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, addictions, grief, anger, relationship and intimacy-related issues, parenting and career challenges.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her approach is warm and straightforward. She combines client-centered listening with practical skill-building from CBT and DBT when helpful.
How much experience does she have?
She has 31 years of clinical experience working with mood disorders, family concerns, substance use, and life transitions.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She holds LCSW and CSW credentials and practices in Virginia.
Which languages are supported and can international clients enroll?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
Brenda meets by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin working together?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.