Dana McPherson

Dana McPherson is an LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker with four years of professional experience based in Oregon. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship concerns, trauma and abuse, LGBTQ issues, family and self-esteem struggles, and career or life-purpose questions. Dana also helps those coping with major life changes and end-of-life or caregiving stresses.

Dana uses clear, practical conversations to help clients untangle what feels overwhelming. She draws on client-centered work to listen and follow each person’s priorities. She also uses cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavior tools to identify unhelpful thinking and build new skills for handling difficult moments.

Sessions move at a measured pace. Dana often focuses on short-term steps that make daily life more manageable. She may introduce mindfulness practices and motivational interviewing questions to clarify values and next steps when people feel stuck.

Her experience includes working with concerns related to attachment, abandonment, blended family issues, body image, aging, autism spectrum differences, cancer and hospice support, and caregiver stress. She does not provide couples therapy and does not list couples as a service.

People who contact Dana are usually looking for practical strategies and clearer direction. The first meetings typically involve mapping current problems, setting goals, and choosing which skills or approaches to try next. She accepts clients who are located in or connected to Oregon and works with international clients where appropriate.

How Dana’s approaches translate to online sessions

Client-centered work means the therapist starts by listening closely to what matters to the person and follows their priorities. This approach helps when someone is unsure what to focus on next and wants a clear, person-led plan.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and testing different ways of thinking and behaving. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress to create practical changes in daily routines and reactions.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) brings attention to skills for regulating strong emotions, managing distress, and improving interpersonal effectiveness. It can be useful when feelings feel overwhelming or relationships are strained.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. Dana will talk with the person about their goals, try different techniques, and adjust plans based on what helps. That means the early sessions often include goal-setting, skill practice, and checking what feels useful.

The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm the current online options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow for shorter check-ins when time is tight, and remove the need to travel to an office. Licensed professionals can adapt CBT, DBT, and client-centered techniques to remote settings to focus on skill-building and practical next steps.