Hi, I’m Danielle Van Dusen (she/her/hers).
This is not an easy time for most people to be alive. If you're struggling with "burnout" or feeling numb, overwhelmed, or depressed, it makes a lot of sense. I am an ideal therapist for someone who wants support, or to improve their coping and their wellness, without pathologizing the body's natural responses to a traumatizing world.
I believe that even severe mental health challenges can be viewed as imbalances and that our overall wellness is informed by our ability to engage in healthy behavior. I believe healthy relationships are fundamental to our emotional well-being and fulfillment as humans and this includes relationship to self. Many of us were not raised with the benefit of relationships that fostered self-love, but it's never too late to develop ways to care for our whole selves.
I'm a fat, queer, neurodivergent woman with 15 years of experience providing counseling. I have worked with individuals and families facing many challenges, including relationship issues, trauma, ADHD, addiction, grief, depression, and anxiety. I work to maintain cultural humility and an ongoing education in trauma informed practices.
I am a licensed mental health counselor (LCMHC) based in New Hampshire and also maintain licensure for alcohol and drug counseling (LADCI) in Massachusetts. I am lucky to have worked in many diverse settings with children, adults, and families including outpatient, in home, and residential levels of care. I have a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Saint Anselm College and Master of Science Degree from Southern New Hampshire University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with a concentration in co-occurring addiction.
I have worked with individuals and families facing many challenges, including relationship issues, trauma, ADHD, addiction, depression, and anxiety. I am passionate about addressing systemic barriers to care through social justice work.
The approaches I use vary greatly depending on the person I am working with and their preferences, but most often these might include dialectal behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, family systems, somatics, existential therapy, and person-centered therapy.
There are no fees for a brief, initial consultation and if I am not able to address what you are struggling with, I may be able to point you in the direction of someone who can.
I hope I can be of help and look forward to working with you!