Dayna Restrepo
LICSW, 16 years of experience
About me
I’ve been dedicated to the field of social work since I was 18, with a longstanding passion for becoming a therapist. My commitment to this work is deeply personal—shaped in part by early experiences with mental health care, including one with a provider whose lack of lived experience left me feeling unseen and misunderstood. That experience strengthened my resolve to offer therapy that is compassionate, attuned, and trauma-informed—centered on safety, trust, and genuine connection. As a neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ clinician, I bring a nuanced understanding of the challenges many individuals face when navigating identity, marginalization, and systems that are not always inclusive or supportive. I draw on both clinical training and lived experience to create an affirming space where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered. I consider it an honor to accompany people on their healing journeys—offering support, insight, and validation as they navigate life’s complexities.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session, my primary goal is to begin developing a well-rounded and compassionate understanding of who you are—beyond just symptoms or diagnoses. I recognize that intake sessions can sometimes feel formal or even a bit overwhelming, so I aim to create a space that feels collaborative and grounded in relationship-building from the very beginning. Our initial session typically lasts about an hour. You’re welcome to share at whatever pace feels right for you—there’s no pressure to disclose anything before you’re ready. I understand that building trust with a new therapist takes time, and I fully respect your individual process. My approach is warm, open, and supportive. I strive to create a safe, affirming environment where you feel genuinely heard, understood, and empowered as we begin this work together.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
Social work and social welfare have been passions of mine from a young age. Having personally navigated significant challenges, I am deeply committed to continuous professional development, consistently seeking opportunities to expand my knowledge and refine my clinical skills in order to provide the highest quality of care. This dedication to lifelong learning enables me to effectively support a diverse client population and address a broad range of presenting concerns. In therapy sessions, I prioritize creating a relaxed, supportive, and collaborative environment where clients feel safe to explore their experiences. I believe that building a strong therapeutic alliance, often enriched with moments of genuine connection and even laughter, is essential to fostering healing and growth. While we work together to develop practical skills and coping strategies tailored to your needs, my overarching goal is to make therapy a comfortable, engaging, and empowering process—one that clients look forward to as a meaningful part of their journey toward well-being and resilience.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I work best with clients who come to therapy with openness, curiosity, and a genuine desire for personal growth. You don’t need to have all the answers—just a willingness to explore, reflect, and engage in meaningful conversation. My practice focuses on trauma and PTSD, mood disorders, anxiety, and the often-complex ways these experiences can affect daily life. I especially enjoy working with individuals who feel stuck in their healing process, and I’m committed to helping you move toward clarity and change. When appropriate, I use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) as a powerful tool to support this work. Supporting clients with depression and anxiety is a core part of what I do, and I’m passionate about helping you develop practical strategies to manage symptoms and improve your quality of life. I also bring a strong commitment to body liberation and would be honored to support you in building a more compassionate, accepting relationship with your body. I am especially dedicated to working with the LGBTQ+ community and bring lived understanding to the unique challenges that may arise around identity, safety, and belonging. I also create a sex-positive, nonjudgmental space for conversations around kink, consensual non-monogamy (CNM), and open relationships. You are welcome to bring your full self into our work together—I am here to support you with openness, care, and respect for your lived experience.
Specialties
Top specialties
Other specialties
I identify as
Serves ages
My treatment methods
EMDR
I have been utilizing EMDR therapy as a primary treatment modality for nearly six years. While its evidence-based effectiveness in addressing trauma is central to my clinical work, I also incorporate EMDR protocols and techniques to target a broad range of presenting concerns. This integrative approach allows for flexibility in addressing anxiety, attachment disruptions, performance issues, and other psychological stressors within diverse therapeutic contexts.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I frequently integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) into my clinical work due to its strong empirical support and broad applicability across a range of presenting issues. CBT provides a structured, evidence-based framework that facilitates the identification and modification of maladaptive cognitions and behaviors. Through this approach, clients are supported in developing more adaptive thought patterns and coping strategies, thereby enhancing emotional regulation, psychological resilience, and overall mental well-being.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) as an evidence-based intervention to support clients in developing emotional regulation, increasing distress tolerance, and enhancing interpersonal effectiveness. Within the DBT framework, I emphasize the cultivation of mindfulness and the practice of radical acceptance, both of which have demonstrated significant utility in improving clients’ overall psychological functioning and adaptive coping capacities.