Ardella (Della) VanDyke, LICSW
Calm guidance for life transitions
Details
| Name | Ardella (Della) VanDyke |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LICSW |
| Based in | Minnesota |
| Licensed in | Minnesota |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 25 |
About Ardella
Ardella (Della) VanDyke is a Minnesota-based licensed clinical social worker (LICSW) with 25 years of experience helping people handle hard moments. She focuses on practical support for depression, anxiety, addiction, parenting strain, and major life changes. Her style is direct and compassionate, aimed at helping individuals regain balance and confidence.
Della works with people facing grief, relationship strain, and issues tied to shame or isolation. She helps clients sort through anger, family problems, and communication breakdowns.
Background and approach
Sessions often focus on clearer goals and real steps the client can try between meetings. Her approach draws from Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and client-centered methods along with cognitive and dialectical techniques. That mix means she listens for the stories a person tells about themselves, looks at what matters most, and practices skills that change daily habits.
The work combines understanding life context with practical tools for coping. Della also supports people dealing with chronic illness, caregiver stress, aging concerns, autism spectrum issues, and substance use challenges. She helps clients look honestly at patterns like codependency or avoidance, then build different ways of responding that match their values.
In sessions she aims to create a steady pace and a clear plan. Conversations are straightforward and focused on what the client wants to change. People choosing her often want a therapist who balances empathy with concrete strategies for moving forward.
What this therapist works with
Her listing names Addictions, Relationship issues, Grief among the things Ardella works with, alongside the areas below.
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
- Grief
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Stress, Anxiety
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Intimacy-related issues
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Abandonment
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Co-morbidity
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Emptiness
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Postpartum depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Women's issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Ardella among the ways she works.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Ardella among the ways she works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Ardella among the ways she works.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Listed by Ardella among the ways she works.
- Existential Therapy: Listed by Ardella among the ways she works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Ardella among the ways she works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Ardella directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Ardella directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
Therapeutic approaches and online care
Ardella blends Narrative Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with client-centered attention in online sessions. Narrative Therapy focuses on the stories people tell about their lives and helps separate the person from the problem, which can be useful for addressing identity issues, shame, and relationship patterns. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) teaches flexible ways to accept difficult feelings while clarifying values and taking committed actions toward them, which helps with anxiety, depression, and life transitions.Finding the right approach is part of the work. She collaborates with each person to see what fits their goals and preferences. Together they try methods, notice what helps, and adjust the plan over time so therapy matches the client’s needs.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to offer practical flexibility. Video allows face-to-face conversation and visual cues, phone can be lower bandwidth or easier to fit into a break, chat lets someone do a shorter check-in, and text messaging supports ongoing reflection between sessions. These options make it easier to schedule regular work and to use therapy in ways that fit a person’s daily life.
Common questions about this listing
What problems can be addressed in sessions?
Della helps with depression, anxiety, addictions, grief, stress, and life changes. She also works on relationship strain, parenting concerns, self-esteem, and anger.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is warm and direct with an emphasis on listening to personal stories and practicing concrete skills. Sessions balance understanding feelings with steps to try between meetings.
What kind of clinical background does she have?
She has 25 years of experience in mental health and focuses on helping people navigate complex life transitions and emotional struggles.
Where is she based and what credential does she hold?
She is based in Minnesota and holds a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker credential, listed as MN LICSW.
What languages are offered for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Which session formats are available?
She meets via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on client needs and scheduling.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to therapist availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Ardella are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Ardella where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.
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