Doris Gardner-Wilson, LCSW - Therapist in Texas

Emotion-focused methods
Acceptance and commitment
CBT and attachment

About Doris

Doris Gardner-Wilson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Texas with 25 years of experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship concerns, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, anger, depression, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes.

Doris helps clients name difficult emotions and the patterns that keep them stuck. She uses practical conversation and focused listening to sort through where problems began and what keeps them going. Sessions are straightforward and centered on the issues the client brings into the room.

Her approach draws on Emotionally-Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, attachment-based ideas, client-centered work, and cognitive behavioral techniques. That mix helps uncover emotional responses, shift unhelpful thoughts, and try new ways of relating to oneself and others.

Doris has worked across many concerns that often appear together, such as codependency, communication problems, body image, caregiver stress, chronic illness, and commitment issues. She also addresses more specific areas like abandonment, Attachment issues, and aspects of alternative sexual cultures when clients raise them.

Clients can expect a steady, practical approach that emphasizes clear goals and gradual change. The initial conversations focus on what matters most now and how to take manageable steps forward. To start, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session.

How her approaches translate to online work

Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) focuses on identifying and naming emotions that shape relationship and personal patterns. It can help people notice how feelings drive reactions and try new ways of responding. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) teaches practical skills to notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck, and to choose actions that match a person's values. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at early patterns of relating and how they influence current relationships and emotional responses, aiming to create more secure ways of connecting.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Doris will help clients and therapists decide together which methods to emphasize based on goals, history, and preferences. That collaborative process means the plan can shift as needs become clearer.

Session logistics should be confirmed before booking since formats are not specified in the biography. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and avoid travel time. Ask about the available session options when you complete the matching questionnaire and schedule a first session so you know what will work best for your routine.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesTrauma and abuse Grief

Also works with

Family conflictsIntimacy-related issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderDepression Coping with life changes

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependency Commitment issues Communication problems Control issuesDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separation Domestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgiveness Guilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelity Isolation / loneliness Jealousy Life purpose Men's issuesVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobia Women's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential Therapy Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Gottman Method Imago Relationship Therapy Jungian Therapy Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Somatic Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy Internal Family Systems

Experience

25+ years

Listed in

Texas

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she address?

She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, anger, self-esteem, career concerns, bipolar and depression, and coping with life changes.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

Her style is practical and conversation-based, focusing on naming emotions, identifying patterns, and trying new ways of responding.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has 25 years of professional experience working with a wide range of concerns.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in Texas and practices from that state.

Which languages are supported?

Sessions are offered in English.

Does she work with international clients?

She does not accept international clients at this time.

How are sessions priced?

Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.

Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.