Dr. Brenden Troster , LMFT

Dr. Brenden Troster is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with seven years of clinical experience and a long background as a coach. He practices in Minnesota and draws on years of work in school-based mental health, addiction treatment, residential care for young people, and outpatient settings. He focuses on helping people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, addiction, grief, and relationship concerns.

He begins by listening to each person's story and learning what matters most to them. Sessions are collaborative and paced to fit individual needs and values. The first aim is usually to clarify goals and build practical steps people can try between meetings.

Dr. Troster uses evidence-informed methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy alongside client-centered listening. He also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills and the Gottman Method when relationship work is appropriate. The approach adapts based on the concern at hand rather than following one rigid method.

His background includes supporting people with addiction, trauma recovery, self-harm, anger, and severe mental health challenges. That variety has shaped a flexible, pragmatic style that emphasizes concrete tools and steady support.

People who prefer clear goals, step-by-step strategies, and a respectful listening style often find this approach helpful. He also pays attention to life transitions, parenting strain, and issues tied to intimacy and self-esteem.

How clinical approaches translate to online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, focuses on helping people notice what matters to them and take small committed steps toward those values while learning to make room for difficult feelings. It is useful for anxiety, depression, and stress that gets in the way of living a meaningful life. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at patterns of thought and behavior and teaches practical exercises to change unhelpful cycles; it often helps with anxiety, depression, sleeping problems, and anger. Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills emphasize emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer communication, which can be helpful for intense emotions and relationship conflicts.

Finding the best approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will listen to your story, discuss goals, and suggest approaches that match your needs and preferences. You and the therapist decide together which tools to try and how to pace the work.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to make therapy more flexible. Video lets you work face-to-face from wherever you are, phone can fit a short check-in or lower bandwidth situations, live chat allows fast exchanges when writing feels easier, and messaging supports brief reflections between sessions. These options help people fit therapy into work, caregiving, or other routines while keeping the focus on practical progress.