Dana Andersen, LPC, LPCC

Dana Andersen is a licensed counselor in Minnesota with 15 years of experience. She focuses on helping people who feel overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, grief, trauma, or depression. She meets people where they are and treats their story as central to the work.

She believes clients are the experts in their own lives and brings a respectful, down-to-earth attitude to each session. Conversations are practical and focused on what a person wants to change. Dana uses clear language and small, manageable steps rather than jargon-heavy explanations.

Her approach draws on methods that help people notice what matters, shift unhelpful thinking, and build stronger emotional connections. Sessions may include exploring patterns of thought, practicing new ways of relating, and setting short experiments to test what works in daily life. The aim is to reduce overwhelm and increase a sense of agency.

Dana has worked across many settings over her career and has supported people through caregiving strain, chronic illness, grief, and relationship challenges such as commitment concerns, communication problems, and jealousy. She also helps with issues like guilt, shame, and feelings of emptiness.

Starting therapy is framed as a collaborative process. Dana encourages people to bring questions and to set clear goals together. To begin, prospective clients select the continue button on this profile, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice what really matters and take committed action toward those values even when feelings are difficult. It can be useful for anxiety, low mood, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and testing new behaviors to reduce symptoms and build coping skills. It is commonly used for anxiety and depression. Client-Centered Therapy centers the person's own experience and priorities, with the therapist offering listening, reflection, and support as the client decides the path forward.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Dana will collaborate with each person to choose or combine methods based on their goals and what feels most helpful. That means checking in about progress and adjusting techniques so sessions remain relevant and practical.

The biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, shorten check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. It also allows sessions when plans change or when quieter surroundings are easier to arrange. Licensed professionals tailor session pace and focus to match individual needs, and Dana will discuss which approach and format fit best during the first meetings.