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Danah specializes in assisting people to break unwanted, destructive patterns and empowering them with practical tools to reduce their symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, addiction and self-harm. She is passionate about building a strong alliance with her clients, creating a safe environment for them to process grief or trauma, teaching positive coping skills, and utilizing their internal strengths to promote lasting change that allows them to overcome obstacles and develop a renewed since of satisfaction with their lives.
Danah is extensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). She earned her DBT certificate from Dr. Alan Fruzzetti, Director of the DBT Therapy and Research Program and Professor of Psychology at the University of Nevada, Reno, after participating in an intensive, one-year DBT certification process. Danah played an integral role in teaching DBT coping strategies, and developing DBT informed curriculum and treatment interventions, at Casa Pacifica: Center for Children and Families, Family Therapy Institute of Santa Barbara and Recovery Road Medical Center.
Danah is President of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapist, Santa Barbara Chapter, where she served on the Board of Directors for over four years. In addition to her training in DBT, Danah has received extensive training in Trauma-Focused CBT, Motivational Interviewing (MI), Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS). Danah holds a Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University and Bachelors of Science in Organizational Leadership & Business Management from Azusa Pacific University.
Danah recently presented at the National Partnership for Well-Being Institute (formerly, National Wrap Around Institute), in Anaheim, CA, on Integrating DBT-Informed Coping Strategies into Community Mental Health Programs. She has trained hundreds of mental health para-professionals and lay counselors; and equipped them to lead special-interest, community and support groups in their homes, businesses and neighborhoods.
Danah was awarded the 2011-2012 Central Coast MFT Consortium Stipend for her excellence in serving culturally diverse populations and commitment to providing mental health services that promote wellness, recovery and resilience in underserved communities.
