Dana Boettinger

I'm Dana Boettinger, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) based in New Jersey. My background includes supervising intensive mental health programs - which means I'm comfortable working with people carrying real weight, not just everyday stress. What makes my approach different is that I look at your whole life. Sleep, movement, energy, relationships, how you're spending your days — we build from there, not just from the hour we're together. I believe real change happens between sessions, not only in them.

I use an integrative approach that draws from CBT, mindfulness-based practices, and therapeutic recreation principles. I'm not a one-method therapist. Some clients need practical tools fast; others need to slow down and trace the roots of what's driving their struggles before anything shifts. I read what you need and adjust accordingly. My CTRS background means I also integrate activity-based and lifestyle strategies - things that give you traction between sessions, not just insight. Think of it as therapy that actually follows you into the rest of your week.

Expect a real conversation - not a checklist. I want to understand what's brought you to this point, what you've already tried, what's gotten in the way, and what feeling genuinely better looks like to you. There's no pressure to have anything figured out before we start. Come as you are. By the end of our first session, you'll have a clear sense of whether we're a good fit and what working together might look like going forward. I offer a free initial consultation for this reason - no commitment until you feel ready.