Dominique Decoster , LICSW

Dominique Decoster earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) from Springfield College in 2005. Her graduate training included internships in a correctional facility and at a cancer center, providing experience with diverse client needs and settings.

After completing her internships, she worked as a therapist at a clinic for three years. For the last 15 years she has been employed as a social worker in the public defender's office, where she provides services to indigent individuals who are facing criminal charges. Dominique holds LICSW, which stands for Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, a credential that reflects advanced clinical social work licensure and training.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Dominique Decoster integrates client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) into her practice. Client-centered therapy focuses on providing a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where the client leads the pace of change and the therapist offers empathy and understanding - it can be helpful for processing difficult emotions and strengthening self-awareness. CBT is a skills-based approach that helps people identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, often used for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns.

She also draws on elements of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) when clients need concrete strategies for managing intense emotions and improving interpersonal effectiveness. DBT emphasizes practical skills such as emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and communication skills, which can be useful for challenges like anger or relationship difficulties.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and Dominique works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. Online therapy offers flexible access to licensed professionals through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules and to maintain continuity of care across different locations.