Dahana Lavaud
they/themCounselor (Resident In Counseling)
Anxiety, Depression, Trauma / PTSD, Grief, Self Esteem, Relationships, Life Transition
Self pay costs
Out-of-pocket session costs for clients who don’t have insurance or aren’t covered by their insurance for mental health services.
I am a Registered Clinical Social Work Intern with 2 years of experience working in outpatient, school, community mental health, and telehealth settings. I have worked with clients ages 5–17, including children, teens, and families. I specialize in anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, grief, relationship challenges, self-esteem, stress, and life transitions. My passion for therapy comes from my belief that everyone deserves a safe space where they can feel heard, understood, and supported without judgment. I strive to help clients feel comfortable being their authentic selves while building the coping skills and confidence they need.
I provide a warm, culturally sensitive, and person-centered approach, drawing from CBT, DBT, strengths-based techniques, play therapy, and mindfulness. I tailor therapy to each client’s needs, helping children, teens, and families build coping skills, confidence, and healthier ways to manage anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions.
I’m here to meet you where you are, listen without judgment, and support you at your own pace. Taking the first step toward therapy can feel difficult, but you deserve support and a space where you feel understood. When you’re ready, I invite you to schedule an appointment and take that first step toward feeling more supported.
"As a therapist who works with children, teens, and families, I strive to create a supportive space where you feel understood, respected, and comfortable being your authentic self. I believe therapy should be a place where you can feel heard without judgment and have someone beside you as you work through life’s challenges."
Why did you decide to become a counselor or psychiatric provider?
I decided to become a therapist because, growing up, I struggled with my mental health and was made to feel ashamed of what I was experiencing. Those experiences showed me how important it is for children and adolescents to have someone they can talk to who will listen without judgment. I want to provide the safe, supportive space that I needed growing up, where young people feel understood, accepted, and comfortable being themselves.
What types of clients do you work best with?
I work best with children and adolescents who are experiencing big or small challenges in their lives. I enjoy helping young clients understand and express their emotions, build confidence, develop healthy coping skills, and feel supported as they work through challenges at home, school, or in their relationships.
What's one thing you wish all clients knew about therapy, mental health, or the healing process?
One thing I wish all clients knew is that therapy isn’t about being “fixed.” It’s about learning to understand yourself, your emotions, and your experiences while developing healthy coping skills and finding ways to move forward.
What can clients expect in their first session with you and in the early stages of therapy?
In the first session, clients can expect a warm, welcoming space where we take time to get to know each other and talk about what brings them to therapy. We’ll discuss their concerns, goals, and what they hope to get from therapy. In the early stages, I focus on building trust and helping clients feel comfortable, heard, and understood before working together on coping skills and goals.
What personal experiences or values inform your practice as a therapist/provider?
My own experiences growing up with mental health challenges have shaped the way I approach therapy. I know what it feels like to struggle and not always feel understood, which is why I value empathy, acceptance, and creating a space where clients feel safe to be themselves. I believe everyone deserves to feel heard, respected, and supported without judgment.
How do you tailor therapy to meet each client’s unique needs?
I meet each client where they are and take time to get to know them as an individual. I ask for their feedback about what feels helpful and what does not, and I adjust my approach based on their needs. I’m open to trying different approaches and thinking outside the box until we find what works best for them.
- Years in practice
- 2 years
- Graduating institute
- University of Central Florida
- Graduating degree
- Master in Social Work
