Denise Ann Lucas LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Certified EMDR Therapist
Adjunct Professor George Fox University
— About Denise
A therapist who has been in the room for some of life’s hardest moments.
Over a decade of clinical experience across some of the most demanding care settings — and a genuine calling to walk alongside people through the work of becoming the person that they want to become. I do not believe in one-size-fits-all therapy. Every person who walks through my door brings a unique story — and that story deserves to be met with curiosity, not a checklist.
My path into counseling was never just a career choice.
It was a calling.
That calling has taken me into jails, hospitals, veterans’ centers, university classrooms, and private practice over the course of more than a decade. Through every setting, the work has been the same: showing up fully for the person in front of me. I started my clinical career counseling inmates at the Allegheny County Jail, then moved into grief and loss counseling at two churches. Those early years taught me something I carry into every session today — that people are remarkably resilient when they feel genuinely heard. I went on to complete several years of Clinical Pastoral Education at the Department of Veterans Affairs, where I provided behavioral health care and led trauma-focused groups for veterans living with PTSD. In my final year at the VA, I contributed to a Simulation program, developing curricula to help medical staff better integrate behavioral health into medical care. For more than three years, I have also taught in the Master of Arts in Counseling program at the former Multnomah University, and currently an adjunct professor at George Fox University. Teaching keeps me sharp, current, and connected to why this work matters. Today, my practice is focused on what I find most meaningful — supporting people who are ready to grow. Not just to survive what has happened to them, but to build something better on the other side of it.
AT A GLANCE
LPC — State of Oregon
EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist
10+ years in clinical counseling.
6+ years at the VA.
5+ years in public mental health.
3+ years Adjunct Professor.
EDUCATION
MA Counseling — Multnomah University.
MA Pastoral Counseling — Duquesne University.
ADDITIONAL TRAINING
Disordered Eating.
Solution-Focused Therapy.
Internal Family Systems.
Emotional Freedom Therapy.
EXPERIENCE TIMELINE
A career built across diverse and demanding settings. Each chapter has shaped the clinician and the person Denise is today.
Early Career:
- Allegheny County Jail + Church Grief Counseling
- Began counseling incarcerated individuals, followed by grief and loss counseling at two churches. Built a foundation of deep listening and resilience-centered care.
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Provided behavioral health care and led trauma-focused groups for veterans with PTSD. Contributed to the VA Simulation program, integrating mental health care into medical treatment.”
Community Mental Health
- 5+ years Public Mental Health — Lifeworks & Cascadia
- Cared for clients with severe and persistent mental illness and a wide range of mental health challenges in adult outpatient community settings.
- Health challenges in adult outpatient community settings.
- 3+ years Adjunct Faculty — Multnomah University
Present
- Private Practice — deniselucaslpc.com
- Telehealth-only practice serving Oregon residents. Specializing in trauma-informed,
- holistic, growth-oriented therapy using S.A.F.E. EMDR and evidence-based modalities
- Adjunct Professor George Fox University – Portland, Oregon
CREDENTIALS
Training and credentials
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), State of Oregon — all requirements met, and competency exam passed
- EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist* 50+ hours training, 50+ EMDR sessions, 20 hours practicum with approved consultant
- MA Counseling — Multnomah University
- Practitioner/scholar model meeting OBLPCT licensure requirements
- MA Pastoral Counseling — Duquesne University Graduate-level pastoral and clinical counseling training
Find my full profile and client reviews on Psychology Today.
*What does it mean to be EMDR Certified? EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) trains and certifies clinicians committed to the highest standards in the clinical practice of EMDR therapy. EMDRIA-certified clinicians complete advanced education, follow a Professional Code of Conduct, and maintain ongoing professional development through 12 continuing education units every two years. These requirements help ensure excellence, integrity, and quality of care in EMDR treatment.
EMDRIA directory profile
GET STARTED
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A free 15-minute consultation is a no-pressure chance for us to meet, connect, and see if we are a good fit.
Bruno is still learning too. He hasn’t figured everything out yet, but he keeps trying — and that’s good enough.
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This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or psychological advice.© 2025 Denise A. Lucas, LPC · All rights reserved.