Helping Individuals Navigate Difficult Experiences to Journey Forward
Life can be a difficult journey at times. We may encounter experiences that disrupt our internal compass and detour us from our most optimal path. Mental health conditions, addiction and problematic behaviors can be powerful barriers to sustained peace and joy. Trusting a professional to help and guide you through these experiences can be overwhelming. I strive to build rapport, conceptualize the development of presenting issues and effectively treat mental health conditions, substance use patterns and problematic behaviors. My counseling and coaching services are designed to meet individuals, couples and families where they are, build resilience to shame. and assist developing the skills and insight necessary to cultivate change.
Meet Dalanna
Maya Angelou's quote "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better" resonates with my personal experiences and the way I approach clients in my practice. I seek to provide a safe, non-judgmental, calming space for clients to simply do better.
I am a mother, educator, public speaker, author, and advocate. I've earned a BA in psychology, MS in psychology, and MS in addiction counseling. I am currently completing a PhD program.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, Certified Sex Addiction Therapist, International Certified Gambling Counselor, Certified Trauma Treatment Provider, Certified Grief Counselor, and Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Provider. I am also EMDR Certified with EMDRIA.
My affiliations include the American Psychological Association, NAADAC the Association for Addiction Professionals, the Texas Association for Addiction Professionals, and the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals. Additionally, I hold leadership positions at local and state levels for the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals.
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Therapeutic Modalities
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing
I am a certified EMDR Therapist with EMDRIA. I have completed additional training to address trauma, addiction, disordered eating, obsessive compulsive disorder and grief/ loss using EMDR. EMDR requires trust and confidence between the client and therapist, a focused treatment plan and the commitment to consistently scheduled sessions. EMDR provides a safe and structured environment to process and reframe traumatic memories, reducing the emotional intensity associated with them.
Problematic Sexual Behavior, Problematic Porn Use & Intimacy Disorder
I am a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist through the International Trauma Treatment and Addiction Providers. As a sex therapist, I provide sexual health counseling and treat issues related to sexual dysfunction, sexual anorexia and hyper sexual behavior. Problematic sexual behavior is best conceptualized as an intimacy disorder and for recovery to be progressive, clients will also be provided psychoeducation to cultivate healthy sexual behaviors. Additionally, I work with issues related to problematic pornography use for both adult and adolescent populations. Since intimacy betrayal can be as destructive as sexual addiction, I have been trained to treat both the individual with the problematic sexual behavior/ sex addiction and their partner.
Substance Use & Problematic Gambling
Addiction can destroy peace, disrupt relationships and damage self-image. Substances or compulsive behaviors that once provided immediate, reliable relief from discomfort or painful emotions can develop into life-altering demands. My role is to provide the tools and techniques necessary to achieve a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle reducing the compulsive use of addictive substances or behaviors while encouraging the client to create a life supportive of change. I have worked in the field of addiction and recovery services since 2006. I work with clients to build motivation, develop supportive attachments, and cultivate the behavioral and spiritual change that recovery requires. Addiction is destructive not only to the individual with the addiction but also to their family members. When appropriate, I encourage family engagement in therapeutic sessions to provide psychoeducation and cultivate recovery support.
Excessive Tech Use & Gaming Addiction
Excessive tech use is marked by an inability to regulate one’s use of digital devices, including smartphones, tablets, computers, and gaming systems. This compulsive behavior often leads to a spending a significant amount of time on digital activities at the expense of more productive or meaningful real-world interactions. The addictive nature of technology is partly due to its design—many apps and games use algorithms designed to captivate users' attention for as long as possible, using psychological mechanisms related to reward and pleasure. Excessive tech use affects interpersonal relationships, social lives, mental health, and even physical well-being in ways we might not always notice. It can make us feel isolated and interfere with our ability to connect with others face-to-face, leaving children and adolescents especially at risk of missing out on important social skills. The goal of therapy is to collaborate with the individual, set personal standards for their technology use, and identify strategies to improve their relationship with technology.
Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Tics
Tourette syndrome is a neurological condition beginning in childhood where people have tics that change over time. Tics are a kind of repeating movement and / or sound. I have been trained to use CBIT, an established therapy that teaches people to change their behavior over time and tic less. CBIT is a non-medicated treatment consisting of three important components:
• becoming more aware of tics and the urge to tic
• doing competing behavior when they feel the urge to tic
• making changes to day to day activities in ways that can be helpful in reducing tics.
Whether the client’ diagnosis is Tourette’s or Persistent or Provisional Tic Disorder, CBIT is an evidenced based, effective modality to manage Tics.
Effective and long-lasting change requires the desire and commitment to simply be 1% better today than you were yesterday. I will meet you where you are and walk beside you as you navigate through the difficult moments on your journey.
Virtual and in-person sessions are available.
6300 W Loop S, Suite 690, Bellaire, Texas, 77401
832.823.1702
