Danni Thomas
Danni Thomas
I'm a therapist who's all about getting to the deep interconnectedness of things – peeling back the layers to really understand what's at play. From what I've seen in our sessions, you're the kind of person who's often navigating a lot beneath the surface: those unprocessed emotions that can feel like a "big bowl of whatever," or those times when you go "zero to a hundred" because something deep is getting triggered. I get that you're exhausted from going in circles, and that sometimes, what seems like a simple miscommunication is actually rooted in old fears or feelings of being unheard. My approach isn't just about quick fixes; it's about seeing how your past experiences – like those significant losses or family dynamics you've navigated – connect directly to how you're feeling and reacting today. We'll explore those unconscious patterns and "defense mechanisms" that might have protected you once but are now holding you back. I'm here to help you understand not just what's happening, but why it keeps happening, so you can truly build healthier coping mechanisms and find a sense of peace that resonates with your whole self – mind, body, and spirit.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Your first session is all about starting to untangle the threads and getting a clear picture of what's been happening. I know it can feel a bit nerve-wracking to open up, but my goal is to create a space where you feel safe, understood, and truly heard from the moment we connect. We'll start by talking about what's bringing you to therapy right now – what are those "cycles" that feel exhausting, or those specific communication breakdowns you're experiencing? I'll listen carefully to how you describe your feelings, whether it's that "zero to a hundred" rush or the constant sense of "walking on eggshells." This first session is also where I'll introduce some of my core ideas, like that "anxiety bowl" concept, to give you a new way of understanding why your emotions might feel so overwhelming. We'll start to explore how your past experiences, including any significant losses or family dynamics, might be playing a role in your present. It's about connecting some of those dots right from the start. By the end of our first session, you should have a clearer understanding of what might be going on beneath the surface, feel more connected to your own internal experience, and have a sense of direction for how we'll work together. You'll also leave with a simple, actionable step or two to start shifting those patterns immediately.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
What really stands out about how I work is that I help you connect all the pieces of what's going on. I don't just look at the problems you're having; I help you see why they're happening. This means we'll link your past experiences—like those big losses or tough family times—to how you're feeling and reacting right now in your life and relationships. A big strength is that I make sense of tricky ideas. I'll help you understand how things like anxiety can feel like an "overflowing bowl" of feelings, or how those automatic ways you protect yourself might actually be causing you trouble now. This way of teaching you about yourself gives you real insight and helps you understand your own mind. Lastly, my clients often tell me they appreciate how I help them move from just talking about problems to taking real steps to change things. We'll get you out of those exhausting "circles" of conflict and give you clear ways to build better habits for yourself and in your connections with others. It's all about turning what you learn into lasting growth.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I'm best positioned to serve clients who are tired of the cycles – those recurring arguments, that feeling of "walking on eggshells," or the constant exhaustion from being in "survival mode." If you're ready to really understand the "why" behind your struggles, and you're open to exploring how past experiences and even unconscious patterns are showing up in your present, you'll find a strong partnership with me. My ideal clients are those seeking deeper insight and lasting change, not just quick fixes. You might be struggling with anxiety, persistent communication breakdowns in relationships, or a sense of being unheard. You're likely looking for someone who can help you connect the dots between your emotional responses and your unique history, including significant life losses or family dynamics. If you're motivated to build healthier coping mechanisms, create more authentic connections, and are open to integrating your faith into your healing journey, you're exactly who I'm here to support. We'll work patiently and collaboratively to help you move from feeling overwhelmed to empowered.
About Danni Thomas
I identify as
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
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.
Trauma Informed Care
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.
Psychodynamic
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.
Christian Counseling
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.
Psychoeducation
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.