Dr. Brenden Troster

Dr. Brenden Troster is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with seven years of clinical experience. He also holds a PhD in Developmental Psychology and brings more than 25 years of experience as a coach. He has worked in school-based mental health, addiction treatment, residential care for children and teens, and outpatient settings in Minnesota.

His background includes supporting people with depression, anxiety, trauma and abuse, ADHD, addiction, self-harm, anger, and recovery from abuse. He talks through problems in straightforward language and focuses on practical steps clients can use between sessions. The first conversations center on the client's story and goals.

In sessions he listens closely and helps people set clear, achievable goals. He draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and the Gottman Method to shape treatment. He emphasizes working together to build a plan that fits a person's pace and values.

His work aims to give people tools for stress, relationship problems, sleeping difficulties, parenting strain, and career or life transitions. He also addresses concerns such as grief, intimacy-related issues, self-esteem, and compassion fatigue. Additional focus areas include attachment issues, adoption and foster care concerns, blended family dynamics, caregiver stress, and co-morbidity.

Dr. Troster frames therapy as a collaborative process. He helps people develop skills, try new behaviors, and track progress. The goal is practical change that helps someone feel more steady and able to move forward.

How his approaches translate to online therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings while taking steps toward what matters. It can be useful for anxiety, stress, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to change mood and functioning. It is often used for depression, anxiety, and sleep problems. Client-Centered Therapy centers the conversation on the person's experience, using empathy and reflection to help someone clarify goals and feel heard.

Choosing the right approach is part of the process. He collaborates with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That collaboration continues as progress is reviewed and plans are adjusted over time.

Confirm the current online session options before booking. In general, online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow quicker check-ins between in-person visits. It can also make it simpler to use tools and worksheets during a session and to practice skills in real-world settings shortly after a meeting. Talk with the therapist during intake to find the best format and schedule for daily life.