Dana McPherson

Dana McPherson is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) who helps people cope with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, and relationship or family concerns. She offers calm, respectful support for those facing trauma, self-esteem struggles, career changes, and life transitions. Dana emphasizes meeting clients where they are and tailoring work to each person's needs.

With four years of clinical experience, Dana draws on practical, evidence-informed methods to help people get unstuck. Sessions focus on clear goals, skills people can try between meetings, and steady steps toward better daily functioning. She uses empathy and straightforward feedback rather than jargon-laden explanations.

Dana blends client-centered listening with tools from cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. She also uses mindfulness techniques and motivational interviewing to help people build awareness and make changes that matter. These approaches support work on grief, caregiver stress, aging and geriatric issues, cancer-related concerns, and hospice and end-of-life counseling.

She has experience across a wide range of concerns including abandonment, attachment issues, autism and Asperger Syndrome, blended family dynamics, body image, codependency, communication problems, control issues, guilt and shame, and forgiveness. Dana aims to create a practical plan with each person, focusing on steps that fit everyday life.

Dana practices from Oregon and offers sessions in English. She accepts international clients and asks clients to follow scheduling guidelines; repeated no-shows can lead to termination of services.

Therapeutic approaches and how they work online

Client-centered therapy emphasizes being heard and understood. The therapist listens closely and helps people set their own goals, which can be useful for work on grief, caregiving strain, or life transitions.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress by teaching coping skills and practical steps to change patterns.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) offers skills for managing strong emotions and improving relationships. It includes techniques for distress tolerance and emotional regulation that can help during times of crisis or ongoing stress.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn't worked before, then suggest methods to try and adjust them over time based on results.

Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm available options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life by reducing travel time, allowing shorter check-ins when needed, or letting people choose an option that matches their technology and scheduling needs. Many people find this flexibility helps them stay consistent with care.