About Dana
Dana McPherson is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and relationship challenges. She also supports those coping with trauma and abuse, self-esteem struggles, career changes, and life transitions. Dana works with a wide age range and aims to meet each person where they are, with respect and compassion.
She uses a practical, person-focused style in sessions. Conversations are grounded in what matters most to the client.
Background and approach
Dana tailors each plan to fit daily routines and real-life goals rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions. Her work draws on cognitive behavioral ideas to spot and change unhelpful thinking patterns. She also uses client-centered techniques to follow a person’s pace and priorities.
Mindfulness and skills from dialectical behavior therapy are offered when helpful for managing strong emotions and reducing reactivity. Dana has four years of professional experience and holds the LCSW credential, Oregon and California license information is on record. She supports people facing specific issues like abandonment, attachment concerns, body image, caregiver stress, and end-of-life and hospice related concerns.
Sessions can include focused problem-solving, skill practice, and reflective conversation about past wounds. Dana is clear about boundaries and expectations so therapy stays efficient and respectful. She invites people to take the first step when they feel ready.
How Dana's approaches translate to online therapy
The practice often blends client-centered work with cognitive behavioral tools. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and following the client’s lead to identify what matters most. Cognitive behavioral approaches look at thoughts and behaviors together to create small, practical changes that reduce anxiety and improve mood.Dialectical behavior therapy techniques are also used when emotion regulation and distress tolerance are needed. These skills teach ways to manage intense feelings and improve communication under stress. Dana discusses which methods fit best and adjusts the plan as goals evolve so the client helps guide the selection.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for longer sessions that benefit from face-to-face interaction, while phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text work well for brief check-ins, skill practice, or when someone prefers not to use video. These options make scheduling more flexible and can help therapy fit around work, caregiving, or other commitments.
Frequently asked questions
What issues does Dana help with?
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What background and experience does she have?
What credential and location information is on file?
What languages are offered and are international clients accepted?
Which session formats are available?
How does payment and cost work?
What are the steps to begin working together?
Specialties and expertise
Top specialties
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
Also works with
- Abandonment
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Attachment issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Blended family issues
- Body image
- Cancer
- Career difficulties
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Co-morbidity
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Family conflicts
- Forgiveness
- Grief
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- LGBT
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Personality disorders
- Phobias
- Post-traumatic stress
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Self esteem
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 4 years
- Licensed
- California, Oregon
- Languages
- English