Denise Chmiel, LMFT — Therapist in California

Hi there, I'm Denise!

My work with clients is client-centered, solution-focused, and trauma-informed. I approach my clients respectfully, warmly, and with a sincere desire to assist them with gaining insight, achieving their therapeutic goals, and feeling better.

My focus

I am comfortable working with adults, older adults, and adolescents who are experiencing depression, anxiety, relationship conflict, sadness, and loneliness or who are stuck in situations that feel hopeless.

My approach

I believe everyone does their best, and people seek therapy because they want to feel and do better. A warm, trusting therapist-client relationship is essential so clients can develop tools to address complicated feelings and situations and find peace of mind.

My communication style

I offer a safe, confidential, non-judgmental space where I warmly encourage my clients to talk about their lives, process their thoughts and feelings, and work toward finding clarity and peace of mind so that they can move forward and be their best selves. My clients have said that they appreciate that I am direct, genuine, and empathetic.

My journey to mental healthcare

Life can be very challenging at times, and people often need help meeting those challenges. I believe in the therapeutic process, and I really enjoy helping people make meaningful changes in their lives that enable them to maximize their potential as human beings and feel comfortable in the world.

My goals for you

I like to meet people where they are at. I strive to help my clients identify what is important to them and how they would like to approach making the changes that would provide them relief and set goals that are realistic and achievable.

Our first session

The initial session would be a time to get to know one another. I would welcome questions about the process of therapy and my experience. The client should also expect to answer questions about symptoms, why they are seeking therapy, history, relationships, current living situation, and what they would like to achieve in therapy.

I identify as...

Female
Caucasian or White

Expertise

Treatment approaches

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)

Attachment-based

Compassion Focused

Mindfulness-Based

Motivational Interviewing

Psychodynamic

+ 7 more

Therapy types

Individual Therapy

Ages served

Adults

Practice

Accepted insurance providers

Aetna
Aetna - Medicare Advantage
Alignment Health Plan - Medicare Advantage
All Savers
Allegiance

+ 65 more

Languages spoken

English

Education

Masters of Arts (MA) from John F. Kennedy University and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from California State University.

Sessions

60 minutes

Virtual sessions

Denise Chmiel