Grit + Growth
 
 

Let me guess…

You’re exhausted by conflict and you’re here for help. You may feel painted into a corner, mischaracterized, or misunderstood. You may even doubt therapy can help your situation. You're in the right place. High-conflict and complex families are my passion, and I’ve helped hundreds find a new normal.

In our sessions, we’ll focus on establishing healthy boundaries, finding solutions that work, fixing broken communication patterns, and finding opportunities to build connection in safe and sustainable ways.

Schedule A Session
 
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Hello, My name is Dené Carroll!

A little about me as a person (professional credentials below)…

For many years, things seemed very smooth in my life and I was able to perform my way to success. I had the privilege of completing a 4 year degree, then a Masters Degree, I started working for the County of Sonoma as a CPS social worker, I met and married my husband, had kids, and enjoyed a bountiful circle of friends. What could go wrong? Well, the wheels started falling off. With the support and guidance of professionals, we learned we were raising two neurodiverse kiddos. Initially, we floundered, and things got a little dark and twisty (kudos to those who just got that Meredith Grey reference)!

We leaned into the confusion with curiosity, confronted grief and societal expectations about raising kids and families, stepped into new communities for connection, and we came out with, well, perspectives. Perspectives that…

Traditional approaches don’t always work.
Trust professionals but also myself.
Regulation at the family level is critical for the health of the system.
Pay attention to the grief or it will get your attention.

And, out of this has emerged guiding principles when it comes to my work (and life!):

Growth: It happens where you, not when you get to where you want to be
Grit: It's going to take perseverance, messing up, and getting back up again

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EXPERIENCE + Passions

I have built my career at the intersection of families and the law. When a family finds themselves at this juncture, it is a scary and overwhelming experience. I have extensive experience working with the Court and collaborating with teams including attorneys, mediators, evaluators, educators, law enforcement, and other therapists. Some therapists may shy away from engaging with attorneys or other systems engaged with a family. I know, through working with hundreds of families, that effective therapieteuc support often requires engaging with the multi-disciplinary team that surrounds them.

I have been a therapist in private practice since 2017, specializing in supporting individuals and families going through major life transitions. For over 10 years prior to that, I worked for the County of Sonoma: Family, Youth, and Children’s Services Division as a Child Protective Services Social Worker. My various roles included family reunification, facilitation of family team meetings, and court investigator.

I am passionate about supporting neurodiverse families (parents and kids), finding solutions that work, creating moments of connection through safe and boundaried interactions, and collaborating with teams so kids can thrive and families can reclaim the joy of raising kids.

Ready to do the work?

 
 

Presentations, Memberships,
& Credentials

I have trained therapists, attorneys, and mediators, about best practices when it comes to supporting families involved in the family law court. Additionally, I have trained hundreds of mandated reports about child abuse, neglect, and working with the child welfare system.

I hold the following certifications: 

  • Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker #69392

  • Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC)

  • National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

  • California Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (CAMFT)

  • Sonoma County Bar Association

  • Sonoma County Mental Health Liaison Committee

  • The High Conflict Co Parenting Project

Most therapists will take time to talk about their endorsements and positive testimonials (we can get to those in a minute).

But, here’s something else that you need to know about me: Some people don’t like me. And, we can anticipate that during our work together you’ll be one of those people. 

I bet you’ve never heard a therapist openly talk about that before. But here’s the thing. If you are going to do meaningful work, the stakes are high and the work is hard. We will very likely have differences in opinions—and that’s OK!

When this happens, we don’t ignore it. This conflict becomes front and center and it is an opportunity for us both to own our mistakes, practice empathy, stay in non-judgement, and continue to work towards solutions. And this is where the magic happens! (Ok, not real magic—but feeling seen and understood can actually feel very magical).

 
 
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