Denis Dees is a mental health clinician and masters level counselor at the University of Vermont Medical Center. He specializes in substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health disorders, and helping patients cope with life circumstances without resorting to the use of mood altering substances. To treat his patients, he uses procedures and therapies such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, insight therapy, family systems, mindfulness training, progressive muscle relaxation, learning relaxation response, psychodynamic therapy, spirituality and mindfulness-based stress reduction, meditation, and education regarding addiction as a brain disease.Denis began his career working with teenagers and young adults. Many of these individuals were treated with punishment or incarceration for mistakes that they had made. He found that approach seldom worked with improving the quality of one's life. He learned from his first clinical supervisor that if you could develop trust, treat people with respect and give encouragement, people would thrive. He has found that to be true.What Denis finds most rewarding in his work is seeing people make choices that are life affirming, they develop self-respect and consideration for others. Denis’ approach with patients is to recognize that there is much more right with people than there is wrong with them. Being strength based, patients learn to build on the skills that are already working for them, and include healthy supports to get them through the rough spots in life.Learn more about mental health and substance abuse at the UVM Medical Center.