Hi I'm Dana!
Welcome to Haven before the Harvest! I am passionate about working with clients to encourage them to feel empowered, reassured, and hopeful about navigating life’s challenges. I am a graduate of Baylor University, with a bachelors in Social Work and a masters in Clinical Social Work. For the past three years, I’ve had the privilege of working with children and young adults to help them develop the skills to deal with difficult situations and feelings.
Wholehearted Purpose
I strive to embrace my life and work with courage and humility, honoring the experiences, values, and intrinsic worth of myself and others. I believe that making a positive difference, even for just one person, contributes to the greater good. My work is driven by listening, wondering, sharing, challenging, and laughing. I aim to live fully and help others do the same, being present through both life’s joys and challenges. My commitment is to approach each moment with curiosity, authenticity, and vulnerability.
To me, authenticity and vulnerability mean allowing room for creative expression, play, adventure, and exploration. I aim to navigate life’s lessons and opportunities for growth with courage and openness. In this way, I hope to strengthen my connection with myself, others, and the universe, and to support others in deepening these connections as well. This vision guides my purpose in both my personal and professional life.
I had the privilege of attending Baylor University, where I earned my Bachelor’s in Social Work in 2020 and my Master’s in Clinical Social Work in 2021. During my graduate studies, I interned at the Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network’s shelter for runaway and homeless youth. Additionally, I worked as a Research Assistant on a federally funded grant project focused on serving homeless youth in McLennan and surrounding counties. I am deeply grateful for the education and experiences I gained at Baylor, which have provided me with a broad spectrum of knowledge and a diverse set of skills that enrich both my personal and professional life.
I have received specialized training in the following therapeutic modalities:
- Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
- Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS)
I bring over 5 years of diverse mental health experience to my practice, with a dedication to delivering exceptional service and a commitment to continuous improvement. My professional background includes supporting youth and adults entering housing programs and guiding K-12 students in school-based settings. I specialize in supporting school-aged children through significant life changes, grief processing, and identity exploration. My expertise includes developing therapeutic interventions for various challenges, such as anxiety, depression, grief, family dynamics, suicidal ideation, attachment issues, life transitions, and behavioral problems. I am particularly effective with clients seeking connection, encouragement, and empowerment for growth.
