Dana Wells-Barrett

I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, born and raised in Austin, Texas. I earned my master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin, and have spent years since then facilitating individual, family, and group therapies in the world of residential treatment for adolescents. My clients have often included families who have been marginalized by socio-economic barriers, people who have experienced trauma, and those with autism or other types of neurodivergence, or developmental disabilities. Although I have a wealth of experience working with ages 12-18, I'm also passionate about providing therapy to adults throughout the lifespan.

My approach as a therapist is simple- I'm here to help you recognize the parts of yourself that you're proud of and change the parts you want to be different. I draw from several different evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Family Systems Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. I believe that a comfortable working relationship between a client and their therapist is essential for people to fully access their resilience to heal and be empowered to achieve their goals. I use different pathways, including humor and creativity, to connect with my clients, and will always encourage you to give me honest feedback to ensure that sessions feel supportive and meet your specific needs.

I'm currently accepting new clients, and would love to meet to answer any questions you might have and see if we would be a good fit. During my first session with a new client, I typically explore not only the main issue(s) for which they're wanting support, but also any past experiences with therapy and current thoughts and feelings related to seeking mental health care now. Through this discussion, I'll learn what style and intervention you'll need from me as your therapist, and help you identify the specific, measurable goals you want to work toward together. I believe that therapy should never be a one-size-fits-all service, so sessions with me will always be judgement free zones where authenticity and vulnerability are highly valued.