Licensed to practice in California and accepts 59 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Coping Skills, Depression and 3 more.
Denise Lanier
Clients say this provider is
About me
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a strong foundation in both community development and clinical practice, allowing me to bring a comprehensive, systems-informed perspective to my work with individuals and professionals. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Community and Regional Development from UC Davis in 2007, where I developed a deep understanding of how environments, systems, and relationships shape overall well-being. I went on to complete my Master’s in Social Work at Sacramento State University in 2010. My career in social work has provided me with diverse and extensive experience, including supporting individuals through acute psychiatric and medical hospitalizations, working with trauma, navigating complex systems, and serving youth and families involved in foster care. I began my clinical practice in 2019, where I transitioned into providing direct therapy and further developing my therapeutic approach. Over time, I have expanded my role to include clinical supervision, mentoring and supporting associate clinicians as they grow their skills and professional identity. In my work with clients, I take a practical, collaborative approach, helping individuals navigate anxiety, stress, life transitions, and executive functioning challenges. I am committed to creating a supportive and empowering space where meaningful, sustainable growth can occur, while also contributing to the development of thoughtful, ethical clinicians in the field.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session, you can expect a welcoming, relaxed space where we begin getting to know each other. We’ll talk about what brings you to therapy, what’s been going on in your life, and what you’re hoping to gain from the process. I may ask questions about your background, current challenges, and any relevant history to better understand your needs, but you are always free to share at your own pace. We’ll also begin identifying initial goals and discussing how we might work together to support meaningful change. My approach is collaborative and practical, so you can expect a balance of listening, gentle guidance, and the introduction of tools or strategies when appropriate. Most importantly, this first session is about building comfort and trust, so you can feel confident moving forward.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
What stands out about my therapeutic approach is my focus on helping clients identify and strengthen what is already working in their lives. I believe that each person comes in with existing strengths, resilience, and untapped resources, and together we build on those to address current challenges and create meaningful change. Rather than focusing solely on problems, I work collaboratively with clients to highlight their capabilities and use them as a foundation for growth. I often incorporate Narrative Therapy, helping clients reframe their stories, separate themselves from problems, and develop more empowering perspectives. At the same time, I take a flexible and creative approach to treatment, drawing from a variety of evidence-based modalities to meet each client’s unique needs. This allows therapy to feel personalized, practical, and adaptable, while still grounded in strategies that support lasting results.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I am best positioned to serve individuals who are motivated for growth and open to developing practical skills to improve their daily functioning and overall well-being. I work well with clients experiencing challenges related to anxiety, stress, emotional regulation, and life transitions, as well as those seeking to strengthen executive functioning skills such as organization, time management, and decision-making. My approach is especially effective for clients who value structure, collaboration, and actionable strategies, and who are interested in building insight while actively working toward meaningful, sustainable change.
Specialties
Top specialties
Anxiety
Coping Skills
Depression
Other specialties
Child or Adolescent
Spirituality
Trauma and PTSD
Identifies as
Woman
Serves ages
Adults (18 to 64)
Elders (65 and above)
Teenagers (13 to 17)
Licensed in
California
Accepts
Aetna
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - Lucent Health
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Amerihealth Administrators
Amerihealth NJ Medicare Advantage
Anthem
Blue Cross
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Arlo
AvMed
Blue Shield
Blue Shield of California - Medicare
Independence Personal Choice 65 PPO
Independence Keystone 65 HMO
Carelon Behavioral Health (Commercial)
Sutter Health Plan
IHSS Healthy Workers
Cash - $130 per session
Centivo
Central California Alliance for Health (Medi-Cal)
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Evernorth
GTEB
Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Gold Coast Health Plan Total Care Advantage (HMO D-SNP)
Golden Rule
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
Health Plan of San Joaquin/Mountain Valley Health Plan – Medi-Cal
L.A. Care PASC-SEIU
L.A. Care Covered
L.A. Care Covered Direct
L.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
L.A. Care Medicare Plus (HMO D-SNP)
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Partnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal)
SFHP Care Plus (HMO D-SNP)
San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Santa Clara Family Health Plan - Medi-Cal
Scripps Health Plan
Sharp Health Plan
Surest (formerly Bind)
Tufts Health/Cigna
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
Location
Virtual
My treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) into my practice by helping clients identify and examine the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. I guide clients in recognizing unhelpful thinking patterns and work collaboratively with them to challenge and reframe these thoughts into more balanced, realistic perspectives. Through structured, goal-oriented interventions, I incorporate skill-building techniques such as cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, and problem-solving to support meaningful change. I also emphasize practical application by encouraging clients to practice these skills outside of sessions, fostering increased self-awareness, emotional regulation, and long-term resilience.
3 ratings with written reviews
August 14, 2026
We Vibed very well together ❤️ That says it all.
Verified client, age 35-44
August 11, 2026
I'm so enjoying working with Denise - I believe she is taking me where I need to go, and sees and understands me.
Verified client, age 55-64
May 28, 2026
I had my first session with her today and had a very positive experience. She was considerate, polite, professional, and extremely welcoming from the moment we met. She created a calm and comfortable environment that made it easy to open up and feel heard. I also appreciated how organized and attentive she was throughout the session. Her warm and calming energy immediately put me at ease, and I am genuinely looking forward to continuing to work with her.