- Goal focused
- Practical strategies
- Respectful listening
About Brenden
Dr. Brenden Troster is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in Minnesota. He has seven years of practice as a therapist and more than 25 years of experience as a coach, and he brings that combined background into each session.
He has worked in school-based mental health, addiction treatment, residential care for children and teens, and outpatient settings. That variety has given him experience with depression, anxiety, trauma and abuse, ADHD, addictions, self-harm, anger, and recovery from abusive experiences.
Sessions begin by listening to the client's story. He treats the person in front of him as the expert on their life and focuses on practical goals clients set together. The tone is respectful and compassionate, with attention to dignity and real-world progress.
He uses a mix of approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Client-Centered Therapy, and elements of the Gottman Method. These are blended to match the client's needs rather than applied as a fixed formula.
People often come for help with stress, relationships, grief, sleep problems, parenting concerns, and coping with life changes. He also supports work on intimacy-related concerns, self-esteem, career decisions, and compassion fatigue. Dr. Troster aims to build concrete strategies clients can use between sessions to feel steadier and more in control.
His style is collaborative and goal-focused. He listens first, then works with clients to create a plan that fits their values and pace.
How his approaches translate to online therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them and connect with values to guide action. It is useful for stress, anxiety, and life changes where clarity about what matters can motivate change. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors, and it is often used for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and managing ADHD symptoms. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and improved interpersonal effectiveness, which can help with anger, self-harm urges, and relationship difficulties.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and the problems you want to address, then recommend approaches that fit. This is a collaborative process and plans can change as you learn what helps.
Confirm current session options before booking so you know which formats are available. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, shorten commute time, and allow for quicker check-ins during a break at work. They also let people work with licensed professionals from their own region without changing therapists when circumstances shift.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
7+ years
Credentials
Minnesota, Iowa, Massachusetts
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What issues does he help with?
He works with a wide range of concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, ADHD, addictions, grief, intimacy-related issues, sleeping problems, parenting, anger, self esteem, and career questions.
What is his therapeutic style like?
He listens first and collaborates with clients to set clear goals. Sessions tend to be practical and focused on building tools clients can use between meetings.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has seven years of experience as a therapist and more than 25 years of experience as a coach, with work across schools, addiction treatment, residential care, and outpatient settings.
What credentials does he hold and where is he located?
He holds MA LMFT and MN LMFT credentials and practices in Minnesota.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with him?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions scheduled and what do they cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin the process?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.