Dana J Whitt

I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor who helps individuals from all walks of life who are struggling to be the best versions of themselves. This could be due to fragile self-esteem, loss of faith, body image, relational conflict, or social/systemic issues. Lots of people tend to find me when they need help dealing with the people in their lives who won't go to therapy. If that's you, you're welcome here. I have advanced skills in treating trauma-related disorders due to single (e.g. natural disaster, car accident) or complex trauma (e.g. childhood abuse, neglect), death, bereavement, or loss. Additionally, my master's degree in Art Therapy aids in my creative problem-solving skills and out-of-the-box thinking style. We might not pick up a paint brush in our sessions, but we will incorporate metaphor, imagery, poetry, and analogy in our work together. As Ethan Hawke says, "Art is not a luxury; it's actually sustenance. We need it." Even for those who don't ascribe to be artists, we need music, graphics, movies, plays, and books to help us connect with our feelings and elevate us beyond our present moment. As someone with a deep love and affection for God, I invite the Holy Spirit into the room to help me see what I can't see on my own. If you'd like me to incorporate religion/spirituality into your framework, I can do that. However, some people in my office are experiencing church hurt, spiritual abuse, or faith deconstruction, while others are sick and tired of people "shoving the Bible down their throats." Regardless of the role that faith does/doesn't play in your life, my hope is that my office will be a safe space for you to land. If you have questions about my personal beliefs on religion, politics, or social justice that might help you feel more comfortable, please feel free to ask. As an able-bodied, white-presenting woman who prefers she/her/hers pronouns, I'm committed to acknowledging and working on my own implicit bias and privilege as I strive towards cultural competency. I lean towards attachment work and emotionally-focused theories to help those who are yearning to be more connected with their hearts, bodies, and minds. In therapy, this means that relationship problems often stem from how one related to her/his primary caregivers and how the attachment was formed in childhood. We will often start there in our work together so I can get a sense of your foundation. If you are not ready to "go there" to the source of the pain, we will likely not be a good fit. I believe that it is through relationships that we experience our deepest pain, as well as our greatest healing, and I desire to use the therapeutic relationship as a catalyst for change. When we are struggling in life, feeling stuck, hurt, or alone, we all deserve a place to talk with someone whom we know will not judge or shame us, but instead, will walk alongside us and help us find our hope and strength. I don't see myself as the expert, but I aim to point you to the light that is already within you. Like Maya Angelou wrote, "You may trod me in the very dirt. But still, like dust, I’ll rise." My therapeutic philosophy is that we will rise together. Good Faith Estimate: You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Clients who do not have insurance or are choosing to not use insurance will receive an estimate of psychotherapy services. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. To learn more about the Good Faith Estimate, go to www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 800-985-3059. North Carolina License (LCMHC): 16432