As a clinical therapist with over 15 years in practice, she is an expert in trauma, relational issues, and mood management.
As a clinical therapist with over 15 years in practice, she is an expert in trauma, relational issues, and mood management. Her clinical work led her to fall in love with the power of the narrative. She has created a professional life dedicated to advocacy, wellness, theatre, public speaking, and writing. Her projects all center around authenticity, inclusion, and creating a lasting difference.
Embracing who I am as a woman, advocate, clinician, author and educator allows me to bring authenticity and vulnerability to the work I do.
An Overview:
Dana Hall received her BA in psychology, summa cum laude, and graduated degree in community agency counseling from Saint Xavier University, Chicago Il. She has been a licensed clinical professional counselor for over 15 years in the state of Illinois. She holds advanced training and certification in the following areas: Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP-II), Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (ICATP), Certified Family Trauma Specialist (IATP), and an Addictions-Informed Professional (CAIMHP-Certification).
Dana has nearly two decades of clinical, research, and leadership experience in the field of psychology. As a private practice therapist, she specializes in chronic illness
management, trauma, and relational issues. She successfully leverages her clinical work with social justice advocacy as an author, public speaker, and activist for inclusion and trauma-informed practices in education and counseling.
She is an accomplished author and has been featured as an expert in Chicago Parent Magazine. She has also written articles for Very Well, Psychology Today, Deep Soulful Love, and A Chronic Voice.
As an advocate for equity and inclusivity, she delivered the Keynote address for the National Spondyloarthritis National Convention, which was published in the print magazine Spondylitis Plus.
She has three children who keep her grounded, thankful, and hopeful for a brighter future.
Start where you are.
The best advice I have ever received about navigating life is to start where you are.
For a long time, I felt that my identity was secondary and separate from my work as a clinician.
As therapists, we are trained to walk with our clients as they lead us down their life paths. We accompany them, sometimes walking beside them, sometimes following behind. Occasionally, we shine our light in the darkness to help them see around the bend, but ultimately, it is their journey.
Perhaps this practice contributed to my belief that I had to choose one role—therapist—and neglect other parts of myself. This was a misconception. You can embrace all aspects of who you are, and doing so enriches the journey you walk with others.