I graduated with honors with my Master’s in Mental Health Counseling in June 2020 and I am currently a 3rd year PhD student in a Doctorate of Psychology program specializing in the treatment of and research into Trauma. I was honored to be able to present at the 2022 and 2023 VCA State Conference on the topic of Chronic Suicidal Ideation and was a recipient of a 2022 Virginia Counseling Association Emerging Leader in Counseling Award. My clinical focus is on trauma, complex PTSD, crisis, anxiety and mood disorders, military service-related stress, chronic and acute suicidality, personality disorders, self esteem concerns, self-harming behaviors, traumatic-brain injury-related stressors, dissociative disorders, and communication/conflict resolution skill building with families and individuals. However, I work with clients coming into therapy with a wide array of concerns and from many different walks of life. I not only provide general psychotherapy, I am also well-versed in assessment and testing, career counseling, parenting, sexual and gender-related issues (to include fertility complications), eating disorders, dual diagnosis, and homeopathic care. I am a lead member in my local Community Emergency Response Team (for the last 10 years) and am an instructor for Disaster Psychology with CERT; I am currently pursuing Crisis Intervention Specialist Certification as well as CISM certification. I hold professional membership in the Virginia Counseling Association (VCA), American Psychological Association (APA), as well as the American Counseling Association (ACA) including membership in the AARC, ACC, AMCD, and MGCA divisions. I am also a member of the Chi Sigma Iota Chapter of the Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International and The National Honor Society of Leadership and Success. The combination of my many personal, academic, and professional endeavors, places me in a unique position to walk with clients (and their families) along their mental health journey while ensuring they are receiving evidence-based care of the highest quality!

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

When not working with clients, I am an artist, outdoor enthusiast, and proud owner of a Belgian Malinois and a toroise.

What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?

Working from a brain and body perspective, my telehealth approach incorporates a dynamic combination including: Psycho-education, mindfulness, crisis management, resource development, and several therapeutic modalities including expressive arts, solution-focused and reality-based, play, cognitive-behavioral (CBT), exposure, narrative, dialectical behavioral (DBT), acceptance and commitment (ACT), and somatic therapy approaches. I believe that with a greater understanding of the body and mind, and their ability to work as one, healing and profound growth can be found and lasting change achieved!

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

My unique strength’s-based approach wiht a focus on trauma and communication, draws from my varied experiences working in outpatient, inpatient, crisis intervention, and in-home therapy settings. I aim to identify the strengths within the individual, the family, and the community that can provide an individual the tools to overcome emotional distress and become the person(s) they choose to be.

About Dani Hulse