Denise Dalgarn

I am a therapist, a lifelong learner, and someone who has always been deeply interested in the stories that shape who we become. I am drawn to the places where people’s experiences, relationships, struggles, strengths, and hopes intersect. I believe there is much more to a person than a diagnosis, a difficult chapter, or the ways they have learned to survive. After more than twenty years in the counseling field, I continue to feel honored by the trust people place in me when they share parts of their lives that may have remained hidden for years. I bring compassion, curiosity, authenticity, and a willingness to sit with people in difficult places without judgment. I believe healing begins when we no longer have to face those places alone.

My approach to mental health is client-centered and integrative using whatever modality seems to best fit what the client is hoping to accomplish.

My work has become deeply rooted in understanding trauma, Complex PTSD, dissociation, and the remarkable ways the mind and body protect us. I am particularly interested in helping people understand themselves with greater compassion rather than shame. I believe many behaviors and symptoms that once helped us survive can eventually become obstacles to the life we want to live. Understanding their purpose can create the possibility for change. I am also someone who values connection—to people, nature, the ocean, and the quiet places where we can pause and find our bearings. My love of the sea has influenced both my personal life and the way I think about therapy. Like a sailboat navigating changing waters, we cannot always control the winds or waves, but we can learn to adjust our sails. At the heart of who I am is a simple belief: people are capable of healing, growth, and meaningful change. Sometimes they simply need someone willing to believe in that possibility with them until they can believe it for themselves.