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Dedra McIntosh

LCSW, 4 years of experience

New to Grow

Virtual
Next available on

About me

Welcome to this page, I'm so glad you made it here. My name is Dedra McIntosh and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I am dedicated to providing a safe and supportive space where clients feel heard and valued. I serve my clients by offering compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to their unique needs, helping them navigate challenges and discover their strengths. My goal is to empower clients to heal, grow, and build lasting skills that create positive change in their lives and relationships.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Your first session is an important step in the journey, and I want you to feel as comfortable as possible. During this time, my focus is on getting to know you—your story, your background, and what brings you to therapy. I understand that sharing personal experiences can feel overwhelming at first, so I provide a safe, welcoming, and nonjudgmental space where you can go at your own pace. In our first meeting, I’ll ask questions to better understand your needs, concerns, and goals. This is also a chance for you to share what has worked or not worked for you in the past when it comes to support or coping. Together, we’ll begin identifying the areas you’d like to focus on, whether that’s managing stress, healing from trauma, improving relationships, or building healthier habits. This session isn’t just about challenges—it’s also about your strengths. I believe that each client comes with resilience, resources, and abilities that can be built upon. By learning about what matters most to you, I can tailor therapy to fit your unique needs and provide practical tools that feel meaningful and useful in your daily life. You can also expect me to explain how I work as a therapist, answer any questions about the process, and talk through what you’d like therapy to look like moving forward. This collaboration helps set the foundation for trust, comfort, and a clear path toward your goals. By the end of the first session, my hope is that you leave feeling heard, supported, and encouraged. Most importantly, I want you to know you are not alone—we will walk this journey together, and I will be here to support you every step of the way.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is in my ability to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients feel seen, heard, and deeply understood. I bring a grounded presence, empathetic listening, and a genuine commitment to helping people access their inner strengths. My clients often tell me that I help them feel comfortable quickly, allowing for meaningful work to unfold early in the therapeutic process. What sets my therapeutic approach apart is its balance of depth and practicality. I integrate evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and mindfulness practices, while also drawing from psychodynamic insights when appropriate. My method is collaborative and adaptive—I meet each person where they are and work at a pace that feels respectful and empowering. I focus not just on symptom relief, but on sustainable change and deeper self-understanding. In our work together, we explore both present-day challenges and the underlying emotional patterns that contribute to them. I help clients identify limiting beliefs, develop healthier coping strategies, and reconnect with parts of themselves that may have been neglected or silenced. Over time, this process often leads to greater emotional resilience, improved relationships, and a renewed sense of purpose. The results my clients experience are often profound. Many report feeling more grounded, confident, and equipped to navigate life’s complexities. They begin to trust themselves more, set healthier boundaries, and make choices that align with their values. My role is to guide, support, and challenge when needed—but always with compassion and respect for the uniqueness of each individual’s journey.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

My ideal client is someone who is ready to take steps toward progress, even if they’re not sure where to start. You might be dealing with stress, trauma, anxiety, relationship struggles, or just feeling stuck in life. Whether you’re an individual, teen, couple, or family, if you are open to exploring new ways of coping and want to create positive change, you are in the right place. In our work together, I believe you are the expert of your own life—I’m here to support and guide you along the way. My role is to provide encouragement, empowerment, and practical tools that you can use outside of sessions. I focus on your strengths and help you see the resilience you already carry, so you can feel more confident in facing challenges and moving toward your goals. I use approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, trauma-informed care, and strength-based practices to meet your unique needs. You’ll learn strategies to better manage emotions, reduce stress, and improve communication. These aren’t just “therapy tools”—they’re life tools you can use every day to create balance, feel more in control, and strengthen your relationships. Most importantly, I want to create a safe and supportive space where you feel heard and understood. My goal is to walk alongside you in this process, offering guidance and encouragement while honoring your pace and your journey. Together, we’ll focus not only on easing your current struggles but also on building long-term skills for growth, resilience, and a more fulfilling life.

Specialties

Top specialties

Depression

Other specialties

AnxietyChild or AdolescentGriefSelf EsteemSpirituality

Serves ages

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

I incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) by helping clients identify unhelpful thought patterns and the emotions or behaviors connected to them. Together, we explore alternative ways of thinking and develop practical coping strategies. I also guide clients in practicing these skills in real-life situations, empowering them to build healthier habits and lasting change.

Play Therapy

I use play therapy as a way for children to express themselves in a safe and natural way when words may be difficult. Through play, I can better understand their feelings, experiences, and perspectives. I also use games and creative activities to help children build coping skills, process emotions, and strengthen communication with their families.

Strength-Based

I use a strength-based approach by focusing on each client’s unique abilities, resources, and resilience. Together, we identify strengths that can be used to overcome challenges and build confidence. This approach empowers clients to recognize their potential and create positive changes in their lives.

Attachment-based

I use an attachment-based approach by helping clients explore how early relationships shape their current patterns of connection, trust, and emotion. In therapy, I provide a safe and supportive space to strengthen healthy bonds and repair relational wounds. This approach fosters security, resilience, and healthier ways of relating to oneself and others.

Trauma Informed Care

I use a trauma-informed approach by creating a safe, supportive environment where clients feel respected and empowered. I recognize the impact trauma can have on emotions, relationships, and daily life, and I adapt treatment to avoid re-traumatization. My focus is on building trust, promoting resilience, and helping clients regain a sense of control in their healing journey.

Location

Virtual

Licensed in

New to Grow
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.