Tanner Oliver, LCSW

MSW, Catholic University of America

Tanner Oliver is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Colorado. He obtained his Master’s Degree in Social Work from Catholic University of America. Tanner primarily relies on evidence-based forms of cognitive-behavioral therapy, and has extensive training and experience in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). He specializes in treating anxiety, trauma, issues of strong emotions and impulsive behaviors, and high-conflict couples. He provides individual and couples therapy to clients seventeen and above.

Specialties

AnxietyTrauma & PTSDStrong EmotionsHigh-Conflict CouplesScrupulosity & OCD

Articles

By Tanner Oliver

Faith & Psychology

Catholic Psychology vs. Secular Therapy

Is Catholic therapy different from secular therapy? A Denver Catholic therapist on where they overlap, where they diverge, and why you don't have to choose.

Tanner Oliver, LCSW

Marriage & Couples

Communication Patterns in Marriage

Gottman research reveals communication patterns that predict marital success or failure. A Catholic therapist explains what to watch for.

Tanner Oliver, LCSW

Depression & Hope

Depression vs. Spiritual Dryness

Is it a dark night of the soul or clinical depression? A Denver Catholic therapist explains the key differences and when to seek professional help.

Tanner Oliver, LCSW

Anxiety & Faith

When Prayer Isn't Enough for Anxiety

What happens when you've prayed and the anxiety doesn't go away? A Denver Catholic therapist on holding faith and clinical anxiety at the same time.

Tanner Oliver, LCSW

Self-Care & Spiritual Practices

Prayer as a Complement to Therapy

Prayer and therapy aren't competing — they're complementary. How spiritual practices and clinical treatment work together.

Tanner Oliver, LCSW

Discernment & Vocation

Vocational Anxiety and Discernment

The pressure to discern perfectly can itself become anxiety. A Catholic therapist's perspective on vocation, discernment, and finding peace.

Tanner Oliver, LCSW

Trauma & PTSD

How Prolonged Exposure Therapy Works

Prolonged exposure therapy is one of the most effective PTSD treatments. What it involves, why it works, and what to expect.

Tanner Oliver, LCSW

Scrupulosity & Moral OCD

Scrupulosity: When Conscience Becomes the Enemy

Scrupulosity is a form of OCD that hijacks your moral compass. How it manifests, how it's treated, and how saints have dealt with it.

Tanner Oliver, LCSW

Faith & Psychology

Thomistic Psychology: Aquinas and Modern Therapy

St. Thomas Aquinas had a lot to say about the human mind. A Denver Catholic therapist on how Thomistic psychology informs modern counseling.

Tanner Oliver, LCSW

Grief & Loss

Walking Through Grief: A Catholic Perspective

Catholic tradition has always honored mourning. When grief becomes overwhelming, therapy and faith can walk together toward healing.

Tanner Oliver, LCSW

Marriage & Couples

When to Seek Couples Counseling

Every marriage has hard seasons. When to seek couples counseling, what it looks like, and how it supports sacramental marriage.

Tanner Oliver, LCSW

Depression & Hope

The Dark Night of the Soul and Depression: How Catholics Can Tell the Difference

Clinical depression and the 'dark night of the soul' are not the same. A Denver Catholic therapist explains the three categories of spiritual darkness — ordinary dryness, St. John of the Cross's dark night, and clinical depression — and why treatment is never a lack of faith.

Tanner Oliver, LCSW

Anxiety & Faith

Understanding Anxiety Through a Catholic Lens

Anxiety is not a failure of faith. How clinical science and spiritual wisdom work together to address worry, panic, and find peace.

Tanner Oliver, LCSW

Tanner Oliver