Dominique Decoster , LICSW

Dominique Decoster, LICSW, helps people navigating stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, addictions, grief, and struggles with sleep, eating, anger, and self-esteem. She also supports those facing bipolar symptoms and parents dealing with parenting strain. Dominique offers care that centers the person's needs and goals in each session.

She keeps sessions straightforward and practical. Dominique uses techniques that help people notice patterns, try small changes, and build coping skills. She draws on client-centered work to follow each person's lead and on cognitive behavioral and mindfulness tools to shift unhelpful thinking and manage intense feelings.

Dominique trained at Springfield College and completed internships that included a correctional facility and a cancer center. She spent three years working as a clinic therapist. For the last 15 years she has worked as a social worker with a public defender's office, providing services to people facing criminal charges.

Her background means she is used to working with people in stressful, high-stakes situations. Sessions tend to be direct, with a focus on practical steps and skills. Dominique speaks English, Spanish, and French, and she sees clients in Massachusetts.

People who choose her can expect a calm, steady approach that mixes listening with hands-on techniques. Dominique aims to help people build strategies they can use between sessions and to support clearer thinking during tough moments.

How therapeutic methods translate to online care

Dominique often uses cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy in online sessions. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce anxiety and depression. Dialectical behavior therapy teaches skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and improving interpersonal effectiveness, which can help with intense emotions and patterns like impulsive behavior.

She also draws on client-centered therapy, which puts the person front and center. That approach emphasizes listening, empathy, and tailoring the session to each person's goals. Finding the right mix of methods is a collaborative process; the therapist will work with the client to adjust techniques based on needs and preferences over time.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can work when a lighter bandwidth option is needed or when video isn't convenient. Live chat and text messaging are useful for brief check-ins, ongoing support between sessions, and people who prefer writing to speaking. These options aim to offer flexibility and make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life.