Deanna Bennet Ridgway

Deanna Bennet Ridgway is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people cope with stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, trauma and abuse, and low self-esteem. She supports clients working through grief, intimacy-related challenges, parenting strain, career shifts, and life changes. Her practice also addresses LGBT concerns, bipolar-related issues, and body image struggles.

Deanna centers sessions on creating an open, nonjudgmental space where thoughts and feelings can be shared. She encourages people to take small steps and to name practical goals they can work toward between meetings. Her style is direct but warm, focusing on what feels manageable for each person.

With seven years of professional experience and a California LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), Deanna blends practical skills with steady support. She listens for patterns that keep clients stuck and helps build different ways of responding to stress and difficult emotions.

Sessions typically look at immediate problems and longer-term patterns. Deanna helps clients strengthen self-compassion and set boundaries that reflect their values. She offers guidance on handling caregiver stress, divorce and separation, forgiveness, and finding a clearer sense of life purpose.

People who choose her work with a therapist who aims to meet them where they are and move at a realistic pace. If you are considering help for eating and food-related issues, or any of the concerns listed, she can talk with you about practical next steps and a plan that fits your life.

Approaches that guide online sessions

Deanna uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on practical change and emotional understanding. One common approach she uses helps people identify thought patterns that increase anxiety or depression, and then practices alternative ways of thinking and responding to daily stressors. This kind of work can help with worry, low mood, and reactions to relationship conflict.

Another approach emphasizes building skills for managing strong emotions and improving relationships. It includes learning grounding and coping strategies, practicing clearer communication, and setting boundaries that reflect personal values. This work often supports people dealing with trauma responses, caregiving stress, or intimacy-related struggles.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Deanna will help you figure out which techniques match your needs, goals, and preferences and will adjust the plan as you progress. The process is collaborative and paced to what feels doable for you.

Confirm current session options before booking to know which formats are offered. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. Phone sessions can be useful when video isn’t convenient, and virtual sessions let people join from different locations when needed. Ask about available formats when you schedule.