Dr. Denise Pearl

I bring 25 years of related and varied professional experience to my therapy practice, in high school, community college, health care, and university settings, overseeing residence halls, new student/family orientation, academic advising, and leadership programs. With course facilitation in a counselor preparation program for the past 10 years, I stay current in the field of counseling. Teaching has always been a part of my work, and I often integrate this into my counseling practice.

My academic background provides a foundation for me to assist clients with executive functioning, including organizational, prioritization, and planning skills. With direct experience in career counseling, I am passionate about helping clients navigate career choices and effectively market themselves. One of my favorite quotes about uncovering a career choice is from Dr. Will Keim, “find something you love, find something you do well, and find a way to get paid for it.” The priority is on finding a meaningful career.

An additional emphasis for my counseling practice is assisting clients with various life transitions. I have experienced living in different cities, working in different environments, living with changing family structures, including an aging parent and a foreign exchange student. Aligned with the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.” I believe in motivating clients to self-reflect and change in meaningful ways.

Related, I utilize a solution-focused model of therapy, collaboratively creating solutions so clients can find options that work for them, often fulfilling the role of a cheerleader for clients, and building a level of rapport, so I can provide feedback in the paradigm of a “critical friend”.

Personally, I have benefitted from counseling for career exploration, for a marital “tune-up”, for navigating family challenges, and for fostering authentic relationships. My husband and I have cultivated a partnership with an understanding of the Five Languages of Love, embracing that “Encouragement requires empathy and seeing the world from your spouse’s perspective. We must first learn what is important to our spouse. Only then can we give encouragement.” As a parent of three adult children, I continue to use Love and Logic in my approach, emphasizing that children need the opportunity to reflect on choices, to make mistakes, and to learn from the consequences of their choices.

Personally, professionally, and philanthropically, I adopt the mantra of Communication—Collaboration—Change.