Darlene Dezso

Experienced LICSW supporting resilience and growth

LICSW Alabama

Experience: 35 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Darlene

Darlene Dezso is a licensed clinical social worker in Alabama with 35 years of professional experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, grief, trauma and abuse, depression, and challenges with self-esteem.

Background and approach

She also addresses relationship concerns, compassion fatigue, and life changes while supporting issues such as codependency, family of origin struggles, hospice and end-of-life counseling, and isolation. Her work includes attention to discrimination, veteran and first responder issues, seasonal affective disorder, and other situational concerns that affect daily functioning and purpose.

She draws on a mix of evidence-informed approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), emotionally-focused therapy (EFT), client-centered work, and existential perspectives to tailor care to each person's needs. Darlene emphasizes practical strategies, emotional exploration, and strengthening inner resources like confidence, motivation, and self-compassion.

She describes her role as a respectful, attentive partner who listens deeply and adapts conversations and treatment plans to individual circumstances. Clients can expect an emphasis on empowerment, meaning, and balancing mind-body-spirit priorities.

Darlene frames the first step toward greater fulfillment as an act of courage and offers steady support through the process of change and recovery.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening with empathy and meeting each person where they are, creating a supportive space to explore feelings and goals. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) emphasizes identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and developing practical skills to change behaviors and manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) offers concrete skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness that can be helpful for people struggling with intense emotions or relationship difficulties.

Finding the right method is collaborative: the therapist will work with clients to determine which approaches best fit their needs, goals, and preferences. Treatment plans are adapted over time so clients can try strategies and refine the focus as they learn what helps most.

Online therapy options such as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging add flexibility for scheduling and make it easier to maintain continuity when life is busy or circumstances change. These formats support regular access to licensed professionals and allow work on skills, emotional processing, and problem solving from locations that are convenient for the client.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly help with?

She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, depression, grief, compassion fatigue, and coping with life changes, plus related issues such as codependency and relationship problems.

What is the therapist's general approach to therapy?

The approach blends client-centered listening with practical techniques from therapies like CBT, DBT, and EFT to address emotions, behavior, and coping skills in a personalized way.

How much experience does the therapist have?

She brings 35 years of professional experience, most of which has been in independent practice settings supporting a broad range of concerns.

What are the therapist's credentials and location?

She holds the credential LICSW with licence details AL LICSW 0940C and practices in Alabama.

Which languages are available for sessions and are international clients accepted?

Sessions are offered in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.

In what formats are sessions offered?

Clients can meet via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on their preferences and scheduling.

How is pricing handled for sessions?

Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

What steps should I take to begin working with this therapist?

Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Self esteem Depression Coping with life changes

Also works with

Relationship issuesGrief Compassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

CodependencyCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesHospice and end-of-life counselingInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobia

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential Therapy

Experience

35+ years

Licensed

Alabama

Languages

English