LMSW-C, 8 years of experience
Who I am My name is Danni, and I'm a Licensed Therapist. My approach is direct, heavy, and unapologetically thorough. I believe in getting to the root cause of your distress and dismantling it, brick by heavy brick. My goal is to guide you on a transformative journey toward a more fulfilling and authentic life. My Approach and Beliefs This is a form of progressive therapy, and it is driven by one core belief: that the most profound and lasting change comes from psychodynamic trauma processing and inner child work. We will not be skimming the surface. We will begin there, yes—at the surface of your current pain—but we will be following it down into the core of your past. We will find where your coping mechanisms and triggers were first formed, because our deepest parts are often stuck in the moment of their original trauma. The goal of this process is to go back to that stuck place, find safety and stability, and then walk you through the developmental stages you missed so that the "inner child" can finally grow up and become one with your current self. This is not easy. It’s intense, it can be scary, and it will require you to face things you’ve likely spent a lifetime running from. We'll be going into the depths, so you can stop just surviving and start truly living.
What to Expect Welcome to therapy. I know this can be a little stressful, and you might not know where to begin or what to say. That's okay. You aren't expected to have it all together, and there's no pressure to find the perfect way to phrase things. We will go at your own pace. I just need you to show up. Here are a few of my rules for our work together: No pressure: You don't have to worry about your appearance or your mood. Come as you are. If you're not in the mood to talk, that's okay, we'll sit in silence. No apologies: Don't apologize for crying, getting angry, or not knowing what to say. This is what therapy is for. No perfection: There is no "right" way to do therapy. Your language is your own, and we will not be trying to find the "perfect" way to say something. The Therapy Appointment vs. The Process Think of our first meeting as an appointment. It’s like your first time with a new doctor. Before a doctor can create a treatment plan, they need to fully understand you—your background, your circumstances, and your story. We're going to do the same. This appointment is about laying the groundwork for the process that will follow. Confidentiality & How I Work Everything you share is confidential. This space is yours to be honest and open without judgment. However, there are a few legal limits to that confidentiality. We are obligated to report: Threats to yourself or others: This includes any threats of suicide or violence. Child or elder abuse: If there is any risk of harm to a minor or an elderly person. Court orders: If a judge orders the release of your information, my hands are tied. My Note-Taking: You may see me looking down and taking notes during our session. This is for my reference, so I can be thorough and effective in my practice. While I'm looking down, I'm fully here with you.
My Greatest Strengths My greatest strength is my directness. I won't just ask, "How are you feeling today?" because I know you’re here for more than that. I am not a passive listener; I am an active partner in your healing. I'll get to the heart of the matter quickly, guiding you to confront the deep, uncomfortable truths that are holding you back. This direct approach is not about being cold or clinical—it's about respecting your time, your pain, and your desire for real change. My second strength is my commitment to psychodynamic trauma processing and inner child work. I believe that the pain you're feeling now is a sign that a part of you is still "stuck" in a past trauma. My approach isn't a quick fix; it's a heavy, progressive process that addresses the foundational issues rather than the surface-level symptoms. We will go back to the root, find that inner child, and give them what they need to finally grow up and become one with your present self. Finally, what stands out most about my work is my thoroughness. I'm not afraid to sit in the uncomfortable space with you for as long as it takes to break a pattern. This process is intense and can be scary, but it is the most effective way to achieve true, lasting freedom. I am driven to help you get to the other side, no matter how deep or dark the journey.
Who This Is For My approach is not for everyone. As I see it, my job is to be an honest guide, and my first act of honesty is telling you who might not find this to be a good fit. If you are looking for a quick fix, this isn't it. This is a commitment to a deep, transformative process. If you are not willing to talk about your childhood, this is going to be incredibly challenging for you. We will always find our way back to the inner child to understand the origins of your core wounds. If you believe your trauma or pain is "not that bad," my approach is probably not for you. I don't believe in minimizing your pain. I believe in facing it, no matter how scary it may seem. My focus is on individuals because you cannot have a healthy relationship with anyone else until you have one with yourself. My commitment is to get to the heart of the matter, so that you can heal and find the freedom you've been searching for. If you’re ready to face it all, I am here.
In my practice, I utilize a Trauma-Informed approach to help clients understand how past experiences can profoundly impact their present lives and relationships. This means creating a safe and empathetic space where your history is acknowledged and respected. I believe that many of the challenges we face, from communication breakdowns to anxiety, can often be traced back to unresolved experiences. A core component of my work involves Psychoeducation. I believe that knowledge is power, and when you understand the "why" behind your feelings and behaviors – for instance, how anxiety can manifest from dysregulated emotions, or how defense mechanisms develop – you gain incredible insight and agency. I'll help you recognize these patterns, connect the dots between past and present, and understand the role your "inner child" might play in your current responses. This understanding is the first step toward genuine change. I also firmly believe in a Strengths-Based Approach. While we will certainly explore areas of challenge, my focus is equally on identifying and leveraging your inherent strengths and resilience. You've already demonstrated immense courage and insight in seeking therapy and engaging with complex emotions. We'll build upon these existing capacities to develop healthier coping mechanisms and foster personal growth. For clients who wish to integrate their faith, I offer Spiritual/Faith-Based Counseling. I am open to incorporating biblical wisdom, recommending spiritual disciplines, and even incorporating prayer into our sessions, always respecting your personal beliefs and comfort level. This allows for a holistic approach, addressing your emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being. My goal is to empower you with understanding, equip you with practical coping skills, and help you foster deeper, more authentic connections within yourself and your relationships. We'll work patiently, collaboratively, and always with your unique journey at the forefront.
In my practice, Trauma-Informed Care is not just a treatment method; it's a foundational lens through which I understand and approach every client's unique journey. My experience with this method has taught me that trauma, in its many forms, profoundly shapes our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, often without us even realizing it. I use Trauma-Informed Care to create a therapeutic space that prioritizes safety, trustworthiness, and collaboration. This means I'm always mindful of how past experiences might influence your present reactions and your comfort level in therapy. We'll work at your pace, ensuring you feel in control and respected throughout the process. This approach involves helping you understand how past events, from significant life losses to subtle experiences of invalidation, can manifest as present-day challenges like anxiety, communication difficulties, or feeling "stuck." We'll explore how your brain and body learned to protect you, often through what we call defense mechanisms, and how these protective patterns, while once necessary, might now be causing distress in your relationships and daily life. My goal is to empower you to recognize these connections, validate your experiences, and gently re-regulate your emotional responses. By understanding the impact of trauma, we can collaboratively build healthier coping mechanisms and foster resilience, helping you move towards a more integrated and fulfilling life.
In my practice, I utilize Psychodynamic Therapy as a powerful tool to explore the deeper, often unconscious, influences that shape your present experiences. My experience with this method has shown me how our past relationships, early life experiences, and unacknowledged feelings can profoundly impact our current behaviors, emotions, and relationship patterns. I use Psychodynamic Therapy to help you gain insight into these underlying dynamics. This isn't just about surface-level symptoms; it's about understanding the "why" behind recurring patterns, persistent anxieties, or difficulties in connecting with others. For example, if you find yourself in similar frustrating relationship cycles, we might explore how early family experiences or unmet needs from your past could be unconsciously playing out in your present. Through our conversations, we'll gently uncover how past experiences and core emotions, some of which might feel "stuck" or unrecognized, influence your current coping mechanisms and reactions. My role is to help you connect these dots, bringing unconscious patterns into conscious awareness. This deeper understanding empowers you to make new choices, break free from old cycles, and develop a more authentic sense of self. My goal with Psychodynamic Therapy is to foster lasting personal growth and emotional freedom by addressing the roots of your challenges, rather than just the branches.
Here's a profile description for Christian Counseling, written in the "you" style we've established: What I'm All About: Christian Counseling So, you're looking to bring your faith right into the heart of your healing journey? That's exactly what we'll do with Christian Counseling. My experience with this approach has shown me just how powerful it is when we connect your personal struggles with spiritual wisdom and God's unwavering truth. This isn't about just slapping a Bible verse on things and calling it a day. It's about really integrating your faith into every part of our work together. For instance, when we're talking about those communication issues that leave you exhausted, or that anxiety that feels like a constant weight, we'll look at it through a biblical lens. We can explore what Scripture says about peace, patience, and navigating tough relationships. I'm all for bringing in biblical wisdom to help you understand your experiences, find guidance, and see how God's principles can transform your daily life. If you're open to it, we can explore spiritual disciplines that might bring you closer to God and offer new ways to cope. And yes, if it feels right for you, we can absolutely incorporate prayer into our sessions, making our time together a sacred space for growth and connection. My goal with Christian Counseling is to help you find healing that's deeply rooted in your faith, equipping you with practical tools that align with your spiritual walk. We'll work on building resilience, finding peace amidst chaos, and connecting with God's strength to navigate life's challenges. It's about honoring your whole self – mind, body, and spirit – as you move towards wholeness.
I'm a big believer that knowledge is power, and that's exactly what Psychoeducation is all about in my practice. My experience has shown me that when you understand why you feel or react the way you do, it changes everything. I use psychoeducation to essentially "demystify" what's going on inside you. We'll break down concepts like anxiety, defense mechanisms, and emotional regulation into clear, understandable terms. It's about connecting the dots between your past experiences and your current patterns, so you can see how things developed. This isn't just about labels; it's about giving you a roadmap to your own inner world. My goal is to empower you with insight. When you understand the mechanics of your emotions and behaviors, you gain a tremendous amount of control. It helps you shift from feeling overwhelmed or confused to feeling informed and capable, ready to build new, healthier ways of responding to life's challenges.
1 rating with written reviews
August 1, 2025
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