Dr. Donna Daniel

Greetings! I am Dr. Donna Daniel from New Mexico (moved from Arizona during covid shutdown), and I would like to support you in your desire to change, improve or fix your situation. In some ways I am rather ‘old school’ having been a counseling professional for more than 30 years; I have seen a lot and experienced quite a range of events, places, work settings and clients over those years. On the other hand, I bring a very fresh and non-stodgy approach to the therapeutic relationship – rather than tell you I practice any particular style or theory of counseling, I will tell you that I bring my whole Self to each session, so am sensing with eyes, ears, energy enters/chakras and intuition how you are doing to determine how best to assist you in each contact we have.

This eclectic approach is based on many theorists’ work, and includes Gestalt Therapy, Rational-Emotive Therapy, Mindfulness, trauma-informed care, thanatology & grief work. Especially the past year, when so many have been triggered for past abuses and betrayals by forced isolation, fears and loss of identity and self-esteem by the global health-related events, we are all grieving our ‘old normal’ to some extent and may need support for our healing.

I am a spiritual more than a religious person, and have practiced Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, a bit of Wicca, studied the Gnostic mystery schools, was briefly with the LDS church, and grew up Baptist. I know from personal experience that faith can be the cornerstone of our recovery and thriving, or it can be the hammer that knocks us down over & over again. No subject is taboo or forbidden with me, although I require that a client be seeking to rid themselves of damaging patterns and relationships; if you do not really want to or feel ready to heal, let’s not start a relationship.

I’ve lived in half a dozen states, traveled extensively for work at military bases abroad in Italy, Germany, England and Japan, and been on three pilgrimages to India. I am married – 21 years – to a wonderful man, and am childless by choice. I lived off-grid for 14 years in AZ and was actively living a sustainable lifestyle, but grew tired of waiting for the apocalypse and wanted to live in a small town and develop relationships with my neighbors. I am thus not a big fan of technology as the centerpiece of daily life, and prefer natural settings to manufactured ones, although I recognize the attractions of urban living. My desire is to facilitate the well-being and spiritual ascension of all persons, one tiny step at a time if necessary. I believe in brief therapy, but am open to cycles of work on various topics and issues.
If this sounds like a relationship you want to try, I will appreciate hearing from you!