Denise Bugenhagen

Hello! I'm Denise- a genuine, curious, and compassionate provider who looks forward to engaging with and serving a variety of unique individuals! I am a graduate of Liberty University and a licensed professional counselor in the state of Georgia. I hold post graduate certifications in several specialized areas, including trauma treatment approaches such as EMDR and IFS (Internal Family Systems). I have spent the past several years working in a dual private/ community-based practice which has afforded me valuable experience in grant work programs affiliated with Georgia DFCS (Department of Family and Children's Services) including the PSSF initiative (Promoting Safe and Stable Families) which works to rebuild and promote healthy dynamics in both the family as a whole, and each individual member. These experiences have shaped my skills and understanding of treating complex cases involving an array of mental disorders and trauma presentations, including anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, substance use, and mood disorders. I have also spent countless years in ministry work which has fostered a passion and ability to offer Biblically based options for any who desire to go that route in their treatment.

Philosopher and theologian Soren Kierkegaard once wrote, “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards”. In many ways, this is the template for the work I engage in with those who are under my care. I believe that seeking to make sense of our lives and circumstances leads us to start examining the inner wounds that have kept us feeling stuck, confused, and frustrated. In that way, I also believe every person has many complex parts and engrained values which work together to produce unique insights into how they can journey forward, they need only be given the tools and support to explore them. I have found this approach to treating trauma especially helpful, but it is also a wonderful model for addressing other issues and circumstances of life as human beings.

First sessions with a therapist can often be anxiety provoking and mysterious to a new client. Therefore, I aim to keep a first session structured and goal oriented but also relaxed with plenty of casual conversation and genuine humanity. I do need to learn about you and gather information which will aid in setting treatment goals; however, we are not robots, and building a healthy, therapeutic relationship based on authentic interest in my client is always my first priority. You will quickly find my style to be highly relational and respectful of personhood- not overly clinical and stale in nature.