Ardella (Della) VanDyke , LICSW

Ardella (Della) VanDyke is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people facing life transitions, emotional pain, and relationship strain. She focuses on clear, practical steps that reduce overwhelm and help people feel more in control. Della brings a calm, steady presence to sessions and listens without judgment.

With 25 years of experience as an LICSW in Minnesota, she supports people dealing with depression, anxiety, grief, addiction, and low self-esteem. She also helps those wrestling with parenting pressures, intimacy issues, family conflict, and the stress of caregiving. Women’s issues are among the concerns she addresses in her practice.

Della uses straightforward talk therapy and evidence-based approaches to build skills for coping and change. She draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to identify unhelpful thinking and on dialectical behavior work to manage intense emotions. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps clients clarify values and take meaningful action.

Sessions tend to focus on what’s happening now and practical strategies for daily life. Della emphasizes communication skills, healthy boundaries, and ways to rebuild self-worth. She also works with people navigating chronic illness, aging concerns, and substance use challenges.

People who choose Della often look for steady support during transitions. She aims to help clients find small, doable changes that add up to real improvements. Her style is warm, direct, and collaborative.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people identify what matters most to them and take values-based actions even when feelings are difficult. It supports work on life purpose, grief, and chronic stress. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and testing new, more helpful ways of thinking and acting; it often helps with anxiety, depression, and coping with change. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches concrete skills for managing strong emotions, tolerating distress, and improving communication in relationships.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Della will collaborate with each person to decide which techniques match their goals and daily life. That can mean mixing approaches so the plan fits current needs, values, and preferences rather than following one method only.

Online therapy offers several practical benefits. Video calls let people read facial cues and work more deeply when time and location allow. Phone sessions can be useful when bandwidth is limited or for a shorter check-in. Live chat and text-based messaging provide flexible ways to touch base between sessions or to fit therapy into a busy day. These options make it easier to keep consistent care while juggling work, family, caregiving, or health demands.