LCSW, 15 years of experience
My name is Richelle Direny, I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Qualified Supervisor with more than 14 years of experience. I am honored to join your journey towards personal growth and well-being. I am committed to helping each individual learn how to cope with the stress of life, having too many responsibilities, anxiety, setting clear boundaries, and coping with decline in functioning and other stressors in life. Through my practice, I utilize various therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Emotional Awareness techniques, and Faith-Based Therapy, to name a few. My aim is to help you become the best version of yourself while managing whatever season of life may arise for you. My extensive experience spans various settings and populations. I have worked with teenagers, parents, employing Multisystemic Therapy (MST), an evidence-based modality that addresses all the interdependent systems within an individual’s life. Furthermore, I have had the honor of serving veterans through the Veterans Affairs system as well as individuals dealing with substance abuse through individual and group therapy sessions. I firmly believe in the power of creating an engaging therapeutic relationship where you feel heard, validated, and supported. Together, we will explore your strengths and challenges to recognize and overcome any barriers or hurdles to leading a more fulfilling life. My ultimate aim is to give you tools, insights, and strategies for positive transformation that lead to long-term change for a more fulfilled existence.
In the first session, my focus is on creating a safe, welcoming space where we can begin building a trusting therapeutic relationship. I take time to explore what brings you to therapy, address any questions or concerns you may have—especially around fears or uncertainties—and review the importance of confidentiality. We'll also begin gathering background information that can help guide our work together. Most importantly, I offer an overview of how the therapeutic process unfolds over time, always at a pace that feels comfortable and respectful to your needs.
One of my greatest strengths as a clinician is my ability to meet clients exactly where they are in the moment and within the unique season of their life. I strive to create a supportive, nonjudgmental space where clients feel truly heard, valued, and safe to express themselves. With a deep respect for each person’s lived experience, I offer compassionate listening and thoughtful reflection. I am especially attuned to how past trauma can impact present mental health, and I incorporate psychoeducation to help clients understand these connections. Together, we explore the importance of self-care, the value of healthy boundaries, and personalized coping strategies that align with the challenges and stressors they are currently navigating.
My career has afforded me the opportunity to work across a variety of clinical settings with diverse populations, including adolescents, young adults, and older adults. These experiences have deepened my understanding of the complexities of anxiety, depression, and trauma, and have enhanced my ability to support clients in developing greater self-awareness and insight. Through a collaborative and strengths-based approach, I have helped clients improve their coping strategies, establish healthy boundaries, and make meaningful progress toward emotional well-being and personal growth.
2 ratings with written reviews
July 30, 2025
I LOVEEEEEE HER! I CAN NOT EXPRESS HOW MUCH I LOVE HER AND HER SESSION! SUCH A BREATH OF FRESH AIR! THANKYOU FOR BEING SO KIND AND COURTEOUS AS YOU HELP YOUR PATIENTS!
June 30, 2025
Such a refreshing conversation with Richelle! She was so attentive, caring & guided the conversation with grace (huge for me bc ADD gets me side tracked). I really appreciate her interest in wanting to understand my family dynamics and she pointed out things from their experiences that I had never thought of. I love the metaphor she gave about driving a car, gave me a new perspective that I am excited to explore 🙏
Over the years of doing clinical work, I have come to gain deeper insight into how our emotions play a major role in how we feel and think with delving into the fascinating world of emotions versus feelings. With my expertise and insights, I break down the distinctions between these two often-confused aspects of our inner lives. I share a unique approach she uses with her clients, involving tools like an emotion pillow and an emotion wheel. She guides them through identifying specific emotions tied to events, dissecting feelings of fear, rejection, inadequacy, and alienation. This process helps uncover any misunderstandings or distortions in their perceptions, leading to a clearer understanding of their emotional responses. Through engaging examples and practical techniques, I demonstrate how our emotions can influence our thoughts, behaviors, and interactions with the world around us. By grasping the nuances between emotions and feelings, clients gain valuable insights into managing and interpreting their own emotional experiences.
Understanding and discovering the relationship between faith, spirituality, and counseling is key to unlocking a holistic approach to mental and emotional well-being. As a licensed clinical social worker, we recognize the value in taking a holistic approach that considers minds, bodies, and spirits; by integrating spirituality into therapy sessions, we can experience profound healing and personal growth. Faith Based Therapy integrates counseling techniques with religious and spiritual principles to promote mental health. This type of therapy acknowledges that spirituality plays an integral part in our lives, giving purpose, hope, and a sense of meaning; by exploring spirituality as part of therapy sessions, we can forge stronger connections among ourselves, others, and a higher power. Spirituality provides a framework for understanding life’s challenges, finding inner strength, and building resilience. Spirituality offers unique insight into suffering, forgiveness, and personal development; by integrating spirituality into therapy we can assist clients to tap into their internal resources, connect to their values, experience peace and well-being, and find peace within themselves.
Acceptance in Mental Health is the line of demarcation between two realities, “control vs out of your control”. Understanding Acceptance isn’t passive resignation but an ACTIVE, conscious choice to acknowledge and accept our current circumstances without judgment or resistance, not that this means we approve of or desire these aspects; just that we accept them for what they are. Life presents us with situations that fall into two categories: those we can control, and those we cannot. Acceptance helps us identify these distinctions, creating peace and resilience. Our past has shaped who we are, but it doesn’t need to dictate who we are now or where we are in the future. Acceptance plays an integral part here -It involves acknowledging and understanding our past, learning from it, but not allowing it to overshadow our current life, which is essential for both emotional development and mental wellness.