Dean Altenhofen

Dean Altenhofen is an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) based in Louisiana with 20 years of clinical experience. He focuses on helping people manage relationship struggles, depression, trauma and abuse, and the stress of major life changes. He works in a direct, supportive way and encourages clients to use their own strengths as the foundation for change.

He believes clients know their story best and aims to create a calm, nonjudgmental space to talk through difficult feelings. Sessions emphasize clear goals and practical steps. Conversations cover communication patterns, coping strategies, and ways to reduce daily distress.

Over two decades he has supported people facing a wide range of concerns, including issues related to LGBT identity, addiction, chronic illness, and family origin problems. He also addresses topics such as abandonment, commitment struggles, infidelity, and blended family dynamics. His approach adapts to each person’s situation rather than following a rigid formula.

Therapy often combines short-term problem solving with practices that build awareness and emotional regulation. Dean uses methods that help people notice unhelpful thoughts, test new behaviors, and set achievable goals. The work is collaborative and paced to what each person can manage.

People who want straightforward guidance and practical skills tend to find this approach useful. If someone is ready to make changes, he supports steps toward clearer communication, improved mood, and better ways to cope with life shifts.

How core approaches shape online therapy

Dean uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice and test the thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going. CBT focuses on simple steps you can try between sessions to change unhelpful patterns and improve mood and relationships.

Mindfulness Therapy in his work centers on building present-moment awareness and calmer responses to stress. This helps with rumination, anxiety, and managing strong emotions without becoming overwhelmed.

Solution-Focused Therapy brings attention to small, practical changes that move a person toward their goals. Sessions often identify what is already working and then build on those strengths with brief, concrete experiments.

Finding the right approach is part of the process and he will work with each person to choose what fits best. The therapist and client review goals, preferences, and how a method feels in practice, then adjust the plan as needed. This is a collaborative, step-by-step process rather than a one-size-fits-all prescription.

Session logistics vary by clinician and platform, so confirm the available formats before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. Many people find that remote sessions help maintain continuity of care and apply skills directly into daily life.