Dorothy Charest , LMHC, LPC

Dorothy Charest is a licensed counselor who blends clinical training with practical experience to help people navigate stress, anxiety, addiction, relationship challenges, trauma, grief, and related concerns. She holds licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Florida and as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia, and maintains additional certifications in areas such as substance use treatment, sex offender treatment, trauma, and anxiety to inform her work.

With 18 years of professional practice, Dorothy has worked with individuals facing mood disorders, substance use challenges, trauma and abuse, sexually compulsive behaviors, anger issues, and grief. She draws on a range of therapeutic methods - including client-centered approaches that prioritize the person’s own goals, cognitive behavioral strategies that identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and trauma-informed techniques when past harm affects present functioning - and adapts these methods to each person’s needs.

She emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental therapeutic environment and stays current through continuing education and specialty trainings. Dorothy collaborates with clients to set achievable goals, offers practical tools for coping and decision making, and supports clients through the often challenging work of change. Her practice addresses a broad spectrum of concerns from anxiety and depression to process addictions, intimacy issues, parenting struggles, career stress, and compassion fatigue.

Therapeutic Approaches for Online Care

In her online practice Dorothy commonly integrates client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy to address a wide range of concerns. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening, empathy, and helping the person identify their own goals so growth feels personally meaningful. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) offers practical tools to spot unhelpful thought patterns and develop alternative behaviors, which can be especially useful for anxiety, depression, and stress-related issues.

For clients affected by overwhelming memories or harm, trauma-focused techniques are used to gently process those experiences and reduce their impact on daily life. Dorothy works collaboratively with each person to determine which approaches fit best, adjusting methods based on the client’s needs, goals, and preferences so treatment remains a shared process.

Online therapy with licensed professionals offers flexibility for busy schedules and those who need remote access. Sessions can take place through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing clients to choose the format that fits their comfort level and daily life. This variety supports consistent engagement and makes it easier to continue work between meetings.