find clarity.
I am here to support you in your journey.
WHAT I DO
I offer coaching for those impacted by major life transitions, life events, as well as feelings of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and general discontent. Whether you have a specific concern you are struggling with or you are seeking coaching as a means for further growth and satisfaction, I will partner with you in our sessions to assist you in finding a path forward that enriches your life and brings you a greater sense of clarity and peace.
No matter what the specific challenge is that led you to my site, I am here to help... offering an experienced perspective, guidance, resources, and support along the way.
MY APPROACH
With the mental health field becoming more medically oriented rather than people-oriented, I strive to be people-oriented. My practice focuses on coaching people to set up their lives in a way that suits them rather than assigning a mental health diagnosis that may not be a true reflection of their challenges or specific needs.
I believe it is each persons unique environment, their routines and relationships that impacts their day to day mental health. Together we will define your challenges and find strategies and tools for navigating your life in a way that feels authentic to you and your specific needs and will improve your overall happiness and wellbeing.
I have a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and 12 years of experience working as a therapist and life coach. I am located in Lafayette, California, but am lucky to be working with clients remotely all over the country.
I am non-judgmental, compassionate, and holistic in my approaches and solutions. My sessions aim to assist my clients in gaining insight and increasing self-awareness, which in turn allows them to address patterns and behaviors that may be causing distress and overall dissatisfaction in their lives. Through this process, my clients are able to make choices that are more reflective of the lives they want to be living. Our awareness of choice and freedom of choice is our power. It is my desire to help my clients learn to empower themselves through the many transitions and stages of their lives.
My theoretical orientation is anchored in concepts stemming from positive and humanistic psychology, acceptance and commitment (ACT), dialectical behavioral (DBT) therapies, and existential and narrative therapies and philosophy. Coaching is not a one size fits all process. I will meet you where you are at, respect your decisions regarding how you want to spend time in our sessions, and collaborate with you every step of the way.
SPECIALTIES AND EXPERTISE
In addition to the above-mentioned, I have specializations and additional professional experience and training in addressing unhealthy coping mechanisms surrounding food, exercise, and body image. These professional experiences, trainings and specializations include:
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Eating Disorder Treatment
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Diagnosis and treatment of Eating Disorders (Anorexia, AFRID, Bulimia, Binge Eating) at Residential, Partial Hospitalization and Outpatient Settings.
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Addressing food and exercise behaviors that cause disruption of daily life - suffering from poor body image, yo-yo dieting, emotional eating, guilt/shame around food and exercise.
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Rigid food rules and diet plans
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Desire to diet to lose weight, leaving you feeling grumpy, unsuccessful, preoccupied.
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Obsessing about food to resolve real or imagined body pains or perceived medical problem,
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Being preoccupied with food as your image, lifestyle
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Using or abstaining from food as a means of control
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Over-eating or emotional eating
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Eating when not hungry or past your physical fullness
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Eating to soothe, numb, control or express feelings.
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Unhealthy relationship with exercise
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Thinking you need to "earn" normal meals and snacks,
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Exercise as a compulsion (you must do it or else you will gain weight, feel guilty)
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Exercise as an obsession (an intense need to exercise multiple times a day for higher durations)
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Recovery and Maintenance Coaching
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Coaching after treatment episodes for an eating disorder
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TRAININGS:
- Intuitive Eating Training
- Health at Every Size Informed
- Radically Open (RO) DBT for Eating Disorders
I have spent the last decade counseling children, adolescents, and adults suffering from intrusive thoughts and unwanted behaviors involving food and exercise that have become unmanageable. I work with my clients examine their current patterns and cycles around food that impact their self-esteem and self-worth.
What My clients are saying...
"Dana has been the perfect coach for me over the last four years. She and I have worked together on a myriad of issues, such as intuitive eating, body acceptance, goal-setting, managing my mood, and establishing boundaries. Dana has been the confidant and non-judgmental voice I have relied on through multiple life transitions. I was comfortable with her from our very first session and am so grateful for the relationship and tools we developed together. If you are looking for a compassionate, real, and collaborative partner in your journey, I can’t recommend Dana enough."
- K.G., Washington D.C.
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