Denise Whetstone

Meet Denise

Hi, I'm Denise, a Resident in Counseling who provides therapy for teens, adults, and couples navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, and the many transitions life asks us to move through. My goal is to create a space where you can say the things that need to be said — openly, and without judgment — and find both the room to be heard and the support to face life's challenges directly.

Who I help

I provide therapy for:

• Young adults adjusting to independence, responsibility, and the work of forming an identity.

• High-achieving individuals experiencing stress, burnout, or relentless internal pressure.

• Adults navigating life transitions — career, relational, or developmental.

• Individuals working through questions of self-image, self-worth, and confidence.

• Clients wanting to strengthen their coping strategies and emotional regulation.

• Older teens building insight, resilience, and a stronger sense of self.

I'm especially attuned to those who have felt unseen, misunderstood, or marginalized, and I'm committed to creating an inclusive, affirming space for individuals of all backgrounds and identities — care that is culturally responsive, respectful, and grounded in your own lived experience.

Background & approach

I earned my Master's in Counseling from Wake Forest University, and I've worked in both private practice and community mental health on a military installation, supporting active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. Over the years I've walked alongside adults, adolescents, and couples facing anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, and the ordinary and extraordinary transitions of life. I have a particular heart for those experiencing burnout from the unique emotional demands of a high-achievement lifestyle — and for the journey of motherhood.

My approach is collaborative, supportive, and intentional. In our work together, I balance space for the concerns right in front of you with deeper exploration — helping you understand how emotions, patterns, and core beliefs shape the way you move through your life. I believe growth happens when there's both room to be heard and the support to face hard things directly, and I work to help you not only cope with difficult moments but build the awareness and tools to grow through them. I believe you are the expert on your own life, and I'll work alongside you to strengthen resilience, increase clarity, and move toward meaningful, lasting change.

I integrate a range of evidence-based approaches tailored to your needs, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused therapy, mindfulness-based practices, and trauma-informed care. As a certified yoga teacher, I also bring breath work and somatic techniques into our work to support nervous system regulation and a deeper sense of mind-body integration.

Connect with me

I offer in-person therapy in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and telehealth counseling across Virginia. Whether you're working through anxiety, recovering from burnout, healing from trauma, or simply navigating a season of change, I provide a warm, affirming space where you can be fully heard — and where lasting growth can take root.