Brenda Atkinson, MSSW, VA | Mind Diagnostics

Licensed

Online Counseling

(82 reviews)

MSSW, LCSW Brenda Atkinson

Provides online counseling through BetterHelp

Mental health conditions are real, common and treatable.

And recovery is possible.

Brenda Atkinson is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.

More about me

Licensing: MSSW, LCSW Years in Practice: 27 State: Virginia

I am an experienced Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over twenty years’ experience. Much of my expertise is in working with individuals struggling with mood disorders, depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, relationship issues, parenting concerns, blended families, substance abuse and career challenges. My most prolific area of expertise is assisting individuals who want to grow emotionally and spiritually through all of life transitions such as early adulthood, middle age and later life.

My education was in Psychology and Social Work completed at the University of Louisville with an emphasis on Family Systems Theory. My approach in therapy is sensitive to individual needs and goals as well as structured in cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic theories, mindfulness, humanistic and existential therapies. I believe that the individual and therapist relationship is foundational in that I strive to be genuine and compassionate to offer you the best opportunities for growth and healing.

I admire your strength and courage for reaching out for assistance and hope to be a part of your growth and success!

About online counseling

Online counseling allows you to receive care from an online mental health practitioner via phone, video chat, or instant messaging. It is convenient for those who may have trouble getting to or would prefer not to have in-person therapy appointments. Starting at $65 per week, online counseling is generally more affordable than in-person counseling. A study by researchers at University of California, Berkeley found that online counseling can be just as effective as face-to-face therapy while being more convenient, affordable, and accessible.

Issues: Stress Anxiety Relationship issues Family conflicts Trauma and abuse Depression Addictions LGBT Grief Intimacy-related issues Parenting issues Anger management Self esteem Career difficulties Bipolar disorder Coping with life changes Compassion fatigue
Languages Spoken: English

Services offered

Professional, confidential, and judgment-free

When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation.

Please note: It can take up to 24-48 hours to be matched to a therapist.

Reviews for Brenda Atkinson

Overall Rating

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Overall

Brenda has been there with me for the past 3+ years. Her experience and expertise has been such a gift to me. I joined BetterHelp when I was drowning in anxiety, unable to function. Brenda helped me learn how to manage my anxiety and build up my tools in my toolbox. Brenda also helped me find a new career that I love and am learning so much about. I cannot thank Brenda enough for her help and support!

We’ve only had one meeting, but so far, I think she’s done very well relating to me

Brenda is very kind and understanding. She makes you feel very seen in your experience, whatever that may be. We have only had 2 appointments, but I am feeling hopeful and looking forward to our future sessions together.

Brenda is very relaxed in her approach which made me instantly comfortable. She is not judge mental at all which helped remove stigma with sharing my story. She seems tk genuinely care about me and seeing my personal growth.

Brenda is the best therapist I’ve ever had. So grateful for her

Brenda is a great listener, very empathetic, and it is evident that she loves her job! If you are looking for someone who truly cares, choose Brenda. I could never tell if she was taking notes or not because she was so engaged but she still had great recall about my life even after a few weeks of not meeting.

Very caring, respectful, and kind. I don't know how she makes telling my junk enjoyable!!

Better Help is blessed to have Brenda as one of their therapists. Her years of experience, coupled with her listening skills, make her a very effective therapist. Her kind and gentle approach makes her so easy to talk to. She provided me valuable input about my situation which helped me to see things more clearly. I am thankful Brenda was brought across my path, and I highly recommend her.

Brenda is an empathetic and calming presence. She has shepherded me in understanding things about myself. She strikes the balance of helping you to make discoveries without being heavy handed about it. I trust Brenda, and I would recommend her to anyone.

I highly recommend Brenda. She is very friendly and a good listener and asks good questions and makes good recommendations.

She is the best. I love Brenda, I call it having a " Brenda". I suggest it to a lot of people

Brenda is a strategic and empathetic therapist with the expertise you’re looking for. Thank you Brenda!

Brenda is immensely empathetic and guides me with a gentle hand to impactful realizations and realities I may be blocking out.

I really enjoy my talks with Brenda. She is very helpful.

I haven't been with her long but Brenda is great and has been there for me when needed. Highly recommend!

I highly recommend Brenda as a therapist. She is a wonderful listener and is so patient.

Brenda has been such a steady, trustworthy presence in my life. I have gone through major transitions in my life over the last year and my sessions with Brenda have been vitally important during that time.

Brenda has been such a support when I experienced high anxiety and change in life. She provided a safe space, reassurance, and a listening ear. As a mental health professional, talking to someone like Brenda, who understands the obstacles one faces while working in the mental health field, was helpful to my own work. I highly recommend Brenda's services!

I like working with Brenda, she is very down to earth and easy to talk to.

Brenda has been a godsend for me these last several months. I

Brenda provides a safe and secure space to talk about my concerns. She listens and is empathetic, and I truly feel heard. What has been most helpful is her extensive experience in the mental health field, especially since I am also a mental health professional.

Brenda is a wonderful therapist who really helped me challenged intrusive thoughts and be mindful to manage my anxiety.

I had my first session with Brenda. It was terrific and I felt very comfortable opening up to her. Looking forward to our sessions to come. A+

Brenda is an amazing therapist who truly cares about her patients. She has a great personality and makes you feel heard.

MS. Brenda is spot on, friendly and knowledgeable

I've never felt more at home and comfortable than with Brenda. She helps me see the things that I couldn't identify before. Shes personable and very sweet. I love how she always sounds so intrested in the little things. It doesn't feel like I'm talking to a therapist at all. I'm talking to a friend.

Brenda is the therapist I’ve been waiting for. She is kind, warm and is an excellent listener. I feel like I’m talking to an understanding family member when I speak with her. She never makes me feel rushed in my thought processes or judged. She is like a warm hug. I very much enjoy my sessions with her.

She’s been amazing!

She is taking her time to get to know me so she can offer me the best support.

Great listener, and wonderful advice.

I highly recommend Brenda! She is an amazing and reliable therapist. I look forward to our sessions.

Brenda is the best. She is a great listener, thoughtful, intuitive, and insightful. I can’t say enough. I’m so grateful to have Brenda as my therapist.

Brenda is absolutely phenomenal. 100% recommendation! Very happy in our work together.

Brenda is great! Very compassionate and empathetic. She is skilled in her approach and very good at therapeutic communication.

Brenda is a wonderful, kind and understanding therapist. She is so wise and affirming, having her guidance in these last years has helped me learn to love myself more and make it through many challenging transitions in my life.

Brenda has the best personality! She’s uplifting but not fake. She supports me and laughs with me. She celebrates with me and I feel like she hurts with me. She’s the best!

She is helpful

Brenda I think you are absolutely amazing. I have never felt so comfortable with a therapist. I truly believe out of all of the therapists I have seen you were the one that truly could have helped me. However I cannot financially afford to continue with Betterhelp. I am so grateful to have met you.

In over 15 years and several different therapists, I’ve finally found the best match for me in Brenda. She knows what she’s doing and can say the appropriate words in the most concise manner while maximizing impact. I’ve worked with Brenda now for nearly two years and made incredible progress with her support. I can speak the facts of my life as well as how I’m interpreting and processing them and she enables me to stay focused without pushing me into feeling embarrassed and exhausted. Instead, I feel encouraged, energized and even empowered. Brenda helped me understand the time that makes up my life is valuable and therefore, my decisions are valuable even without perfection. She really keeps me going, even when life is presents seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Brenda is extremely professional and dedicated. She has a lot of compassion and understanding. Brenda knows how to ask the right questions to really get me thinking. Plus she lets me come to conclusions on my own which really helps in my therapeutic processing. Getting matched with Brenda was a godsend!

Ms. Brenda is very kind and attentive. She’s made my healing journey a very validating experience.

I highly recommend Brenda! She definitely helped me get my mind unstuck. She met me where I was at and offered help and encouragement in a very nonjudgemental and hopeful way. She's a great listener, she's encouraging, and she's very compassionate. I always left our conversations feeling built up not deflated!

I've only met a few times with Brenda so far, but she has is kind and insightful and I have enjoyed my sessions so far and found them to be helpful.

I am so grateful for Brenda. She is so easy to talk to and has a gift with guiding me where I need to go. Every time I leave a session I feel so much better. Even on days I don’t feel like I have anything to talk about to start with we end up having good and productive sessions. She is the best!

Brenda is terrific. It's quite obvious that she's a professional. My only complaint is I wish our chat sessions could be longer. This is because preference is chat over video or call. We don't get to cover much in 45 minutes of typing back and forth.

Brenda is so kind and caring, very easy to talk to. She also has a ton of experience and wisdom, and gets back to you quickly. Very thankful to have found her.

So far the experience has been great. I’ve been struggling with a lot lately and she really respects how I feel. I can appreciate her not taking over the sessions with her personal opinions or feelings. She allows me to open up, express how I feel, and gives me professional advice. I feel like we are working out great!

Brenda is amazing! She listens and asks insightful questions and is so validating about some of my experiences. 10/10!

She is attentive and offered advice based on personal and professional experience.

Brenda is incredible and has been a blessing in my life!

I would absolutely recommend Brenda. She is amazing. I love her approach and I always leave feeling more clarity than I started with. I am so excited to continue this journey with her.

strongly recommend

I have started my therapy. Mrs. Brenda Atkinson so far is very understanding and she is giving me insight on myself

Brenda Atkinson is probably the best therapist I've ever had. She really understands me and what I need. Shes always there for me and makes me feel seen and heard and valid. She is exactly what I was looking for. Wonderful therapist.

Brenda is very considerate and caring and offers great advice.

So far Brenda has been warm, reassuring and listens well. It has been easy to speak with her.

Best therapist I’ve EVER had!

Brenda is awesome.

Brenda is a caring compassionate soul. She was there for me during one of the darkest moments of my life and helped me make lifestyle changes to cope with my depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms. Because of Brenda I was able to change my perspective on the events of my past that haunted me. Those memories and the people that hurt me no longer have a hold on my life. I found so much joy and freedom out of my despair and I couldn't have gotten through it without her support. I highly recommend her to anyone struggling with depression as I was in the depths of despair when I found her. She is an angel to me, and I know is will continue to be a blessing to others.

I have found our relationship quite helpful

Even though we've only had 2 sessions she is definitely the best therapist I've ever had she really makes me really feel heard and the first therapist that's really made me feel valid

Brenda is very knowledgeable and supportive. I have really enjoyed working with her so far.

Wonderful counselor!! Very understanding & great listener!!!

Brenda is very genuine and really takes the time to listen. I find her to be easy to talk to and always feel comforted by her words of support and encouragement.

Brenda is so kind and capable. Her help made all the difference in my life and mental state when I really needed help.

Brenda is such a genuine and compassionate soul with a very calming nature. She is a wonderful listener and offers logical and wise solutions to issues that seem so very complicated - until you talk them through with her. She has a way of getting to the root of an issue quickly and helps you discover new ways to look at the things - not to mention some sound advice on how to proceed. She has been enormously helpful in helping navigate through some family "drama" and I look forward to our next session!

Brenda is awesome! Very compassionate and kind , great listener! Thank you brenda!

she is very helpful...great listener

It has been a wonderful experience to work with Brenda. It has been very helpful for healing things that I wasn’t quite sure how to tackle.

I absolutely love Brenda. She has been so helpful. I would 100% recommend her and BetterHelp!

Brenda has been a tremendous help to me! She has really helped me take som big steps toward healing and battling my anxiety! I really look forward to our time together each week and am super thankful for her encouragement, help, and expertise!

I have greatly enjoyed working with Brenda. Very insightful, knowledgeable, and helpful.

Brenda is a wonderful soul! She is such a joy to talk to and hold a conversation with while also providing really good insight and advice to any situation.

I have felt very comfortable opening up to her, which is what I have found out is needed to identify the areas that require my attention. She has helped me to discover what is important and the actions that I need to take to find the solutions I desire. I wish I had started counseling way before I began trying to figure out the world on my own!!! Everyone should have someone.

Brenda is a kind and compassionate listener. I felt heard and respected.

Ms. Brenda is so helpful and knows exactly how to guide the conversation.

I have only been working with Brenda a few weeks now but instantly felt a connection. She is warm, encouraging, thought-provoking, and offers great assurances that though the work we are doing is difficult, it is pertinent in my healing process. Being able to connect with her from my home has been wonderful.

Very helpful and easy to talk to.

Brenda is very kind and patient. She is reassuring towards the progress I’ve made. I’m saddened to have to switch counselors due to her personal concerns, but I do believe she was a great fit for me. Brenda is very personable and accepting. Best wishes, Brenda :)

Very honest and very kind. Advocates for healing and not just problem solving but to get to the root of triggers and learned behaviors.

Brenda is very helpful. She makes me feel listened to and she comforts me. I'm glad she was chosen as my therapist.

This was our introduction. Brenda is very easy to talk to. We had a good rapport. I look forward to speaking with Brenda again and see the direction and or depths we reach with our next appointment.

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