Danielle Pananos

I'm a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Massachusetts. I earned a Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2022 and I’ve spent over 4 years working in community mental health, schools and private practice where I have provided assessment, diagnosis, and individual and group therapy, implemented crisis intervention, and coordinated care with psychiatrists, primary care, and social services. I have supported students’ emotional, behavioral, and social well-being through short-term counseling, crisis response, and consultation with teachers and families. and provided ongoing therapy to individuals, couples, and families. My work focuses on individuals managing ADHD, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, specific learning disorders, and stressor-related issues. I also offer parent coaching and educational advocacy for families navigating school systems, IEPs, and 504 plans, or simply looking for support in raising a child with unique needs.

My approach to therapy begins with building a strong therapeutic rapport. Drawing on cognitive-behavioral, dialectical behavioral, solution oriented, person centered and mindfulness-based approaches, I help clients understand the patterns that keep them stuck and build practical tools for lasting change. This includes identifying distorted thinking patterns and replacing them with balanced, constructive thoughts through cognitive restructuring; behavioral activation plans and emotional awareness skills to improve mood; mindfulness practices for grounding and distress tolerance; and step-by-step exposure plans for anxiety.

Your first session is a chance for us to get to know each other. I’ll ask about what brought you to therapy, your current challenges, your history, and what you hope to change. We’ll talk about your strengths, what's already working and areas of your life where you desire improvement. I’ll explain how I work and the tools we might use. and develop goals and a starting plan for reaching them.