Hey, I’m Braden Norton. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Alliance Counseling, where I’ve practiced since 2020 after earning my Master of Social Work degree from Aurora University. I’m licensed in Illinois, Michigan, and Colorado and primarily work with adults and older teens.

My approach to therapy is collaborative, down-to-earth, and focused on the whole person; not just symptoms. I work with anxiety, depression, ADHD, Autism, LGBTQ+ concerns, Childhood Emotional Neglect (CEN), grief, identity, life transitions, relationships, anger, work stress, self-esteem, and feeling stuck or disconnected from yourself.

I’m especially interested in helping people understand how their experiences have shaped who they are today. The ways we learn to cope, connect, protect ourselves, or meet others’ expectations can become patterns we carry into adulthood. Together, we’ll explore what’s beneath those patterns, determine what still serves you, and work toward becoming more grounded, present, and intentional in your life.

I draw from evidence-based approaches including CBT, ACT, psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness, interpersonal therapy, family systems, and emotion-focused approaches. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all model, so our work might include developing greater self-awareness, improving emotional regulation, strengthening relationships, building healthier habits, managing stress, or learning practical skills you can use outside of therapy.

I also don’t just teach many of these strategies, I use them in my own life. My experience with mindfulness, stress management, habit-building, and self-reflection helps me bring a practical, real-world perspective to therapy. I’m naturally curious and continually learning, and I enjoy sharing books, research, resources, and new ideas when they can support your goals.

Ultimately, therapy isn’t about becoming someone else. It’s about understanding yourself, changing what no longer serves you, and building a life that feels more like your own.

Growing up playing team sports taught me the value of working together toward a shared goal, and I bring that same mindset to therapy. You bring your experiences and I’ll bring curiosity, support, clinical insight, and practical guidance. We’ll work together to make sense of what’s getting in the way and find a path forward that feels right for you.

You don’t need to have everything figured out before you begin. If my approach sounds like a good fit, I’d love to hear from you.