Dana Crooks

I bring 6+ years of experience in the mental health field working with anxiety, depression, and trauma across the lifespan. With an extensive background in psychology, criminology, sociology, I have worked in juvenile and adult detention, schools, and outpatient clinics. I utilize multiple modalities to meet the unique needs of every client because everyone is different. My modalities include cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, solution-focused approaches, narrative therapy, play therapy, art in therapy, IFS/parts work, and EMDR.

I am a client-centered therapist in that I meet you where you are, and believe that we know ourselves best and already have the strengths and capabilities to heal and make the changes that we want and need. I view mental health struggles as stemming from attachments and traumas that we adapted to in order to survive, and we did survive, but these tactics have started to do more harm than good. “The work”, and it is work, starts from building awareness about how our past can impact our present, and then we can create and explore new paths towards a future we want. Sometimes this means starting what we’ve been avoiding, setting healthier boundaries, reparenting ourselves, slowing down to reconnect, practicing tough conversations, or making the scary but necessary leap to rebuild the life we deserve.

I work with preteens, teens and adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma/PTSD, family conflict, behavioral concerns at home/school, relationship concerns, and major life transitions. I use a mix of approaches to meet your specific needs and goals including EMDR, IFS/parts work, DBT/CBT, and creative alternatives such as art and play. Sessions might include deep processing, practical skill-building, rehearsing difficult conversations, or simply having a safe place to just exist...because sometimes existing is hard.

My style is warm, casual, and collaborative. Above all, I strive to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can bring the real, unfiltered you. And together, I know we can find the right tools and figure out whatever comes next.