- Stress and anxiety
- Relationship concerns
- Social anxiety
About Doreen
Doreen Gaffney is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Washington with 11 years of experience. She works with stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, and depression. She also focuses on communication problems, guilt and shame, isolation and loneliness, life purpose, mood disorders, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress, and social anxiety and phobia.
Doreen uses straightforward conversation to help people sort through what feels overwhelming. Sessions are practical and focused on small, manageable steps. She listens to what matters to each person and adjusts how they talk and plan together based on that.
Her background includes over a decade of clinical work in community and outpatient settings. That experience means she has seen many types of stress and anxiety and the different ways they show up in daily life. She draws on approaches that have research behind them to help with mood, panic, and social fears.
In therapy she helps people build clearer communication and cope with shame or isolation. She supports people who are recovering from traumatic events and those trying to find new motivation or purpose. Conversations include skill-building, practical problem solving, and planning for situations that cause fear or avoidance.
People who are nervous about starting often find it helpful to begin with one short step. Doreen asks a few questions at first to clarify goals and then works with the person to set simple, realistic tasks between sessions. Those small steps are used to test what helps and what needs to change next.
How evidence-based approaches are used online
Evidence-based therapeutic techniques are used to help people learn concrete skills and change unhelpful patterns. For example, cognitive-behavioral approaches focus on identifying thoughts and behaviors that feed anxiety and then practicing different responses to reduce avoidance and panic. Exposure-based strategies involve gradual, planned practice with feared situations to lower distress over time and build confidence in social settings.Finding the right approach is part of working together. The therapist will ask about goals, past experiences, and what feels doable, then suggest approaches to try. Clients and the therapist review progress and adjust methods so the plan fits the person's needs and preferences in an ongoing, collaborative way.
If you are considering online sessions, confirm the exact session formats offered before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. It can also let people practice skills where they actually feel anxious, and follow up quickly on situations that come up between appointments.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
11+ years
Listed in
Washington
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
Doreen helps people with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, and depression. She also focuses on panic attacks, post-traumatic stress, social anxiety and related concerns.
What is her approach to therapy?
She uses practical, evidence-based therapeutic techniques and conversational problem solving. Sessions emphasize small steps, skills practice, and planning for challenging situations.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 11 years of professional work experience in clinical settings. That includes treating a range of mood and anxiety-related concerns.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, LMHC, licensed in Washington. Her practice location is listed as Washington.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She is not currently accepting international clients.
How does payment work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Confirm pricing details before booking.
How do I begin a first session?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session. The questionnaire helps match goals and preferences before the initial meeting.