Let me guess…
You’re here because you’ve just had your ass kicked by life. You’re in the right place. I haven’t been through your experience, but I get heartbreak, I get the shock and grief when you need reorient your life to a new normal you never expected, and I get what it takes to get back up.
Hello, My name is Dené Carroll!
I’m a licensed clinical social worker. I’m also proud of many other labels, including wife, mother, daughter, friend, and person of faith.
For many years, things were going smooth in my life and I was able to perform my way to success. I completed a 4 year degree, started working for the County of Sonoma, met my husband, got married, had kids, and enjoyed a bountiful circle of friends. And then the wheels started falling off. We floundered, and things got a little dark and twisty (kudos to those who just got that Meredith Grey reference)!
I realized I had to reckon with big emotions and reorient my life to a new normal I never expected. I had to look at some “biggies” square in the eye: shame, judgement, criticism, and grief. *Cue Brené Brown*
Through these experiences, I learned that there isn’t a “right” time to work on yourself. And that’s the point! Growth happens NOT ONLY when conditions are right, but the most meaningful growth happens when you are in the storm, the desert, or riding aboard the hot mess express. Out of this has emerged my 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
I have extensive experience working with the Court and collaborating with teams including attorneys, mediators, evaluators, and other therapists. While some therapists avoid attorneys at all costs, I find them to be valuable members of the team and I understand that there are touch-points in a family’s life where the Court may have a significant role which can’t be ignored.
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 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 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.
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).
