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LCSW

Doris Gardner-Wilson, LCSW

  • Experience25 years
  • LocationTexas
  • Focus areasStress and Anxiety, Addictions, and Relationship
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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About Doris

Doris Gardner-Wilson is a licensed clinical social worker in Texas who supports people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy concerns, anger, and mood disorders such as bipolar and depression.

Background and approach

With 25 years of clinical experience, she brings a grounded, compassionate presence to work alongside clients navigating life transitions, career challenges, self-esteem struggles, and complex coping needs, including chronic pain, caregiver stress, and co-occurring issues. She prefers a collaborative, client-centered stance that emphasizes understanding internal experiences and strengthening adaptive skills.

Doris integrates Internal Family Systems ideas alongside evidence-based methods such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients explore inner parts, clarify values, and build practical strategies for symptom relief and healthier patterns.

Her sessions aim to be nonjudgmental and empowering, offering support for concerns that range from attachment and communication problems to intimacy and alternative sexual culture matters. Based in Texas as LCSW TX 58672, she offers flexible session formats to fit different needs and schedules.

Prospective clients who are ready to consider change can begin by completing a brief matching questionnaire and scheduling according to available openings.

Evidence-Informed Approaches and Online Access

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is an approach that helps people listen to and understand different internal parts or aspects of themselves, often easing self-criticism and clarifying internal conflicts. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on identifying values, learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings, and taking committed action toward meaningful goals. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at relational patterns and how early attachment experiences shape current connections, which can help with communication, intimacy, and trust issues.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Doris will work with each client to identify goals, explore which methods resonate, and adapt techniques over time so therapy reflects the client's needs, preferences, and pacing rather than a one-size-fits-all plan.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging that make it easier to fit care into busy lives and to access consistent support across distance. These formats offer flexibility in scheduling and communication style, allowing clients to choose the way they connect that best supports their engagement and progress.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Doris commonly address?
She works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship and intimacy problems, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, self-esteem, career concerns, bipolar and depression, and coping with life changes.
What is her therapeutic approach and style?
Doris uses a collaborative, client-centered style that combines Internal Family Systems concepts with practical therapies like ACT and CBT to explore inner parts, values, and skills for everyday coping.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings 25 years of professional experience working with diverse mental health and behavioral concerns.
Where is she licensed and based?
She is a licensed clinical social worker in Texas with license number TX LCSW 58672 and provides services from that state.
Does she offer therapy in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available?
Doris provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.
How are fees and subscription handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseGrief

Also works with

Family conflictsIntimacy-related issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderDepressionCoping with life changes

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyEye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Gottman MethodImago Relationship TherapyJungian TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

25+ years

Licensed

Texas

Languages

English