Denise Johnson, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist, Licensed Professional Counselor

Black Mountain, North Carolina

VerifiedFeaturedTelehealth Available

Professions: Life Coach, Counselor, Mental Health Counselor

Languages: English, Portuguese

My Approach to Therapy

I take a collaborative, client-centered approach to therapy, grounded in the belief that meaningful change happens when you feel safe, understood, and supported. My role is not to fix you, but to work alongside you, helping you better understand your experiences, identify patterns, and move toward the life you want to be living. In our work together, I integrate evidence-based practices with a flexible, individualized lens. This may include elements of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and insight-oriented work, depending on your needs and goals. I also place strong emphasis on the connection between thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and past experiences, especially how early relationships and life events continue to shape present-day challenges. I aim to create a space that is both supportive and honest. That means offering empathy and validation, while also gently challenging unhelpful patterns when appropriate. Therapy with me is active and reflective; well explore whats working, whats not, and adjust as needed. Whether youre navigating anxiety, relationship stress, life transitions, or feeling stuck, I focus on helping you build self-awareness, strengthen coping skills, and develop a more grounded sense of self. My goal is for you to leave therapy not only feeling better, but also with tools and insight that support long-term growth.

My Practice & Services

I am fully remote and currently am licensed to support individuals in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida.

Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With

Alcohol Dependence, Anxiety, Low Self EsteemSelf Worth, Burnout, Stress, Life Transitions

Why Going to Therapy Does Not Mean You are Weak or Flawed

Going to therapy does not mean you are weak, broken, or flawed. It means you are human and willing to pay attention to your inner world instead of ignoring it or pushing through alone. Many people learn early on to cope by staying busy, staying strong for others, or minimizing their own needs. Over time, this can lead to feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or stuck in patterns that no longer feel helpful. Therapy is not about labeling you as ?the problem.? It is about understanding your experiences, your reactions, and the context in which they developed. Struggling with anxiety, low self-worth, relationship challenges, or changes in your life does not reflect personal failure. These experiences are part of being human, especially in a world that often demands more than we have the space to give. Therapy offers a place to slow down, reflect, and make sense of what you are carrying without judgment. Reaching out for support is actually an act of strength. It takes honesty to acknowledge when something feels heavy, and courage to explore change instead of continuing to manage everything alone. Therapy is not about ?fixing? who you are?it is about helping you reconnect with yourself, develop new tools, and build a more compassionate relationship with your thoughts and emotions. You don?t need to wait until things are at a breaking point. Therapy can be a space for growth, clarity, and support at any stage of life.

Expertise & Specialties

Age Groups I Work With

AdultsElders

Groups I Work With

I work with adults who are struggling with an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, anxiety, and difficult life transitions. Many of my clients feel stuck in patterns that no longer serve themwhether thats using alcohol to cope with stress, navigating overwhelming emotions, or adjusting to major changes in their personal or professional lives. I support individuals who may be questioning their drinking habits, working to reduce or stop alcohol use, or exploring the role alcohol plays in managing anxiety, stress, or emotional discomfort. At the same time, I help clients build healthier coping strategies and develop a more balanced, sustainable way of living. I also work with adults experiencing anxiety, including chronic worry, overthinking, and feeling constantly on edge. Life transitionssuch as career changes, relationship shifts, relocation, or changes in family dynamicscan intensify these feelings, leaving you uncertain or overwhelmed. Many of the people I work with are high-functioning but internally struggling. You may appear to have it together on the outside, while privately feeling stressed, disconnected, or unsure how to move forward. If youre looking for therapy for anxiety, life transitions, or support in changing your relationship with alcohol, I provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space to help you gain clarity, build coping skills, and create meaningful, lasting change.

Therapy Services & Specialties

Coaching Individual Therapy & Counseling Telehealth

Concerns & Challenges Addressed

Adjusting to Change / Life TransitionsAnxietyDrug and Alcohol AddictionMidlife Crisis / Midlife TransitionSelf-CareSelf-CompassionSelf-ConfidenceSelf-Criticism

Therapeutic Approaches & Evidence-Based Methods

CoachingCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)Mindfulness-Based InterventionsMotivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian Therapy)Positive Psychology