Dana is AMAZING with all of her clients which is why we feel priviledged to add her to our team. Building the therapeutic relationship with teenagers and children can be difficult for some professionals. Dana has the ability to get through to them in a comfortable setting where the clients feel safe to open up and discuss their thoughts and emotions with her. As a counselor, Dana shows the clients empathy, understanding, while also challenging her clients to grow in their mental health.
Meet Dana:
Do you know anyone that has never had any issues at all throughout their life?? If you believe you do, ask yourself this: is it possible this person does not express, show, or share what they struggle with? Reality is EVERY human being experiences different challenges throughout life that could result in physical, social, emotional, and mental distress. If you can relate to that last statement then, you have landed in the right place to begin the journey of overcoming, renewing, and empowerment with me!
I tailor therapy to meet each client’s needs to build confidence, increase self-awareness, self-acceptance, and improve the ability to respond to challenges effectively. Individually tailored therapy is necessary to promote the overall wellness of my clients in a comfortable, receptive, and supportive environment. Together, we will explore and identify your counseling goals. My counseling approach is person-centered using cognitive-behavioral, dialectical behavioral, and solution-focused techniques.
Learning any new skill can be frightening and challenging. I value making the learning experience clients need where they obtain the tools needed to overcome their issues as stress free as possible. These tools allow the client to accomplish their goals.
Adolescents and teenagers are at important ages of transition in their development which can sometimes be difficult to navigate through especially on their own. I work with them and their families to help guide them to learning more appropriate ways to address and voice the concerns they are experiencing. I also work on targeting problems revolving around inappropriate behaviors being exhibited by working with clients, child or adult, to target any undesirable behaviors and guide them to learning how to better manage the behaviors in their daily lives.
Married to my best friend, Pete for over 25 years, together we have three children and one sweet, little doggie, Rona Rita (a rescue during Covid). My favorite self-care involves any type of traveling experiencing diverse cultures and cuisine. I also enjoy exploring the outdoors, fishing, gardening, and cycling around southeast Texas.
Qualifications:
I earned a master’s degree in Education (M.Ed.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Early Childhood Education from Lamar University. With over 5 years of mental health counseling experience in area schools and in the private sector, I collaborate with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, self-harm, grief, trauma, couples, LGBTQ, autism, family issues, addiction, and ADHD concerns in adults and children. I also provide educational and behavioral interventions and recommendations for children and adolescents in the school and home settings. Working with kids and young adults is my passion.
Years Experience in the Counseling Field: 5 Years
Education: Lamar University: Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Year Graduated: 2003 & 2017
License No. and State: 79647 – Texas
Other certifications and license:
Nationally Certified Counselor- NBCC- 2019
Trauma Treatment for Kids- Healing the Body Through Play: Advanced Interactive -Certification- 2020
Elementary Teacher Generalist- Grades 1-6th– 2003
Elementary Teacher Generalist- EC-4th – 2003