(She/Her)
I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California (MFT 105913) and certified Brainspotting Therapist and Consultant. I received a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy from John F. Kennedy University. I have clinical experience in private practice, community mental health, school based therapy, trauma focused therapy, and expressive arts.
In addition to my official training and experience, I bring wisdom to this work from my own healing journey. My journey to becoming a therapist has been a long and winding one. I received a California State Teaching Credential with Emphasis in Special Education after working for 5 years at the California School for the Deaf with students struggling with behavior and mental health issues. I later worked as an elementary school teacher and separately, as a parent educator, for the Fremont Unified School District for 8 years. My path continued to wind along into a second career in Counseling Psychology. The constant in my journey has been with my passion to help children and families learn, grow, and thrive. Thus began my journey to find balance, self-compassion, joy, and embrace my authentic self, much the same as many of you!
My lifelong love of learning and personal growth have opened the doors to meaningful connection and relationships, a rich understanding of my self, and moved me closer to the ever elusive life balance. Every day requires being truly mindful of both my boundaries and my blessings.
I know from my own journey and from helping many other people along the way, that the road can be very dark at times and sometimes we need a compassionate, caring person to help hold the light. It is a great honor to help people heal, and I care deeply about helping clients experience greater contentment, joy, meaning and freedom from suffering in their lives.We are each the makers of our own happiness and I am truly honored to walk along beside you, two travelers on the same road, if just for a time. I’ve received many gifts from my healing journey, and I’d journey with you as you uncover yours.
Danelle Berdahl is a licensed therapist specializing in individual, couples, and family therapy, she maintains a private practice in Pleasanton, California.
NOTABLE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Somatic Experiencing Year One - Module 1 , Module 2, (Module 3 - expected early 2023)
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Training Level 1 (CCTP-I) and Level II (CCTP-II)
Working with the Neurobiological Legacy of Trauma- Janina Fisher
Brainspotting Master Class/David Grand, PhD., LCSW- Founder of Brainspotting
Brainspotting (BSP) Phase 4/David Grand, PhD., LCSW- Founder of Brainspotting
Brainspotting (BSP) Phase 3/David Grand, PhD., LCSW- Founder of Brainspotting
Brainspotting (BSP) Phase 2/ Christine Ranck, PhD., LCSW
Brainspotting (BSP) Phase 1/Pacific Trauma & Counseling Center
Gottman Couples Training Level 1/The Gottman Institute
Treating Affairs and Trauma/ The Gottman Institute
Couples and Addiction Recovery/The Gottman Institute
The Art and Science of Love - Couples/The Gottman Institute
Person Centered Expressive Arts
Danelle Berdahl Counseling
John F. Kennedy University