Dena Schwartz

I earned my Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the Wayne State University School of Social Work in 2018, with a concentration in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

As an undergraduate, I interned with the Detroit Police Victim’s Assistance Program, providing one-on-one therapy and group crisis counseling to individuals impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, and homicide.

During graduate school, I completed an internship with Catholic Charities Behavioral Health, where I conducted individual therapy for clients of all ages dealing with various mental health concerns. I also led group therapy for male perpetrators of intimate partner violence, anger management for clients with substance use disorders and mental health challenges, and a trauma-informed domestic abuse intervention group for women.

In 2018, I began my full-time career as a clinical therapist, providing therapy to individuals, couples, and families dealing with anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, relationship issues, grief, loss, and life transitions. In 2020, I took on dual roles as Therapist and Clinical Director at Crossing Paths Counseling, which transitioned to KindMind Counseling in 2022, where I maintained those same responsibilities. During my tenure as Clinical Director, I supervised and trained over fifty clinicians and interns.

In December 2024, I decided to leverage my experience and established Cherry Creek Counseling to work independently.

My approach is client-centered and solution-focused, primarily utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). According to the Cleveland Clinic, CBT is a structured, goal-oriented psychotherapy aimed at addressing mental health conditions and emotional concerns. It’s one of the most researched and effective forms of therapy. Key principles of CBT include:

• Psychological issues are often linked to unhelpful thinking patterns.
• Psychological issues can result from learned behaviors that are counterproductive.
• Core beliefs about oneself and the world may contribute to psychological distress.
• People experiencing mental health challenges can learn new coping strategies to alleviate symptoms and improve overall well-being.

CBT has proven effective for treating conditions like depression, anxiety, substance use, relationship issues, eating disorders, and severe mental illness. Research consistently shows that CBT can significantly enhance functioning and quality of life.