Denise
Johnson
“Everything you desire is sitting on the other side of fear.”
-George Addair
Hi, my name is Denise Johnson. I am a Black female therapist and Registered Social Worker (MSW) providing virtual therapy to individuals across Ontario including Ottawa, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Toronto, Brampton, and Mississauga.
I hold a Master of Social Work, a Community Worker Diploma from George Brown college and a Certificate in Family Mediation from York University.
Choosing to heal or work through a life challenge can be scary, but on the other side of that fear is the life you have always imagined for yourself, your family, and your community.
Many folks have never been given the space or had the opportunity to process childhood wounds or even acknowledge that their experiences were traumatic. In my work I provide the space for folks to talk about what has happened in the past and explore how those experiences are impacting their current life challenges.
Will the process be easy? Not likely, but will it be worth it? Yes. You CAN have the life you want.
In my practice I am intentional about facilitating conversations with people around their values and creating boundaries based on these values. I have a passion for skill teaching and successfully helping clients navigate everyday life stressors, current challenges, and past traumas while developing cognitive and emotional flexibility in responding to life’s challenges.
Who Denise Serves
Individuals 18+, with a focus on supporting Black women, working professionals, and high achievers.
Therapy sessions are available virtually across Ontario, including Ottawa, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Toronto, Brampton, and Mississauga.
Areas of Focus
Denise provides therapy for individuals navigating:
- Anxiety and depression
- Workplace stress and burnout
- Family and intimate partner relationships
- Childhood trauma and its ongoing impact
- Racial trauma and identity-related stress
- Grief and loss
- Chronic illness and emotional well-being
- Self-esteem, identity, and co-dependency
- ADHD and OCD
Therapeutic Approach
Denise's approach is trauma-informed, relational, culturally responsive, and rooted in anti-racist care.
Modalities include:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
- Mindfulness-based approaches
- Attachment-based therapy
Christian faith-based counselling is also available based on your preferences and needs.
Fun Facts
Denise finds great joy in spending time with her husband and two young sons. She enjoys reading, scenic drives, watching historical films, and spending time with her closest family and friends.
Favourite Value
Her favourite value at Agapé Lens is compassion. The world can be very hard and harsh and we also can become very hard and harsh with ourselves when we experience suffering. We believe everyone deserves to feel seen, heard and valued without judgement, and use compassion is a way to respond versus react to one's suffering.