Family Therapy in Asheville, NC

I will listen carefully to you with an open mind so that together we can create the shift you seek and resolve issues past and/or present that are self defeating or leave you feeling stuck. In my nearly thirty years of practice I have had the opportunity to work with clients spanning all ages while helping to understand and resolve a myriad of issues including traumas, mood disorders, relationships, parenting/ family challenges, neurodivergent and spectrum issues, ADHD, burnout, grief and loss. I have also provided supervision and training to others in my field and make ongoing efforts to keep learning and growing as a therapist.

Dr. Dacanay provides psychological treatment for children, adults, couples, and families who are adjusting to life changes, struggling to cope with anxiety and depression, needing of behavioral planning, or seeking couples/ family therapy . She helps individuals to be aware of, identify, and change debilitating thought patterns -- and to consistently choose to act effectively in the presence of difficult life events. She also promotes understanding and collaboration among family members in order to solve the problems of one or more individuals, especially with children and adolescents.

Lets explore your life experience in a new and exciting way. I see suffering as an opportunity to break free from old patterns, habits, and ways of thinking that are not working for you anymore. It's a call from deep inside saying, "something needs to shift". This shift can come from exploring a relationship to a substance that you are using, and the pain, anxiety, depression, or a general sense of not loving your life that may come with it. Your unique journey is here right now, and experiencing it from a nonjudgmental perspective can be a vital ingredient to moving past whatever is holding you back from living your best life.

Starting a new journey can feel daunting and overwhelming. However, choosing to seek partnership to achieve growth as a person is self-love. Whatever it is that you may be experiencing, anxiety, depression, past traumas, grief/loss or even communication barriers with family and friends, the collaborative effort through therapy can assist you with self-identified goals. During the therapy process we will work on establishing a secure therapeutic relationship, where you can use your voice to share your needs. Therapy doesn’t have to be a chore and while partnering with me, we will integrate individualized goals to aid in your success.

An ideal client would be someone who has possibly done some therapy work in the past, and still feels stuck in the area of relationships, addictions, trauma, grief or loss or someone who has never been to therapy previously. There are many places to get stuck in life, I find it interesting to find ways out of that place.

Want support for resolving conflicts – inner conflicts or conflicts with others – in ways that create harmony and help meet your underlying needs? Would you like more understanding for your feelings and needs? Would you like empowerment to contribute your gifts to the world? Drawing upon my 30 years in recovery, 16 years as a therapist, and a wealth of tools I have learned through my passion for inner peace and empowerment, I help people enhance relationships with other people, sometimes with a higher power, and, especially, with themselves.

For over 30 years I have been helping people overcome life obstacles and interpersonal struggles. Clients report significant benefit when they seek help dealing with transforming ideas of self that result from trauma, relationship changes, chronic illness, grief & loss, gender dysphoria, and coming out as LGBTQ. I utilize a variety of approaches including narrative, DBT, ACT, attachment-focused therapy, internal family systems and trauma informed practices. I now am seeing clients in person as well as virtually.

I believe most change occurs in trusted relationships where one feels valued and heard. By offering support, encouragement, and affirmation, l hope to create a safe and compassionate place where we can explore those family dynamics, life issues and personal choices that make up your life story. By uncovering faulty thinking that results in damaging patterns of relating, you will better understand who you are and who you want to become. We will explore ways to make changes so you are not ruled by addictions. Together, we will come up with strategies so that you may make the necessary changes to experience growth and healing.

You feel like communication with your child has gone downhill. You’re confused by the choices that your child has been making. Sometimes you wonder who is coming to breakfast, and where the person you used to be close to has gone. On the other hand, maybe your child is showing signs of being stuck. Maybe they’ve always exceeded your expectations, but now something is different. They are extra grumpy, or sluggish, and cutting themselves off from communication with you. Or, there is the possibility that even your adult child is taking paths in their life you cannot understand.

I work with adults and couples who have a wide range of goals and challenges. I believe connection to oneself, to others, to community and to spirit are fundamental issues that underlie the particular problems people bring to therapy, as well as the solutions that emerge through therapeutic work.

As a Child & Adolescent Therapist, my goal is to help children, teens, and young adults use their strengths and unique qualities to find solutions to problems, improve their relationships, build confidence, and develop a healthy sense of self. Behavior, mood, social, and academic functioning improve when children and adolescents feel good about themselves. My specialties include: Child & Adolescent issues, Parenting, ADD/ADHD assessment and treatment, Anger Management, Opposition Defiant Disorder, Divorce, PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, Self-Harm and Trauma & Abuse using Trauma-Focused CBT.

I connect easily with clients to feel lighter and clearer in their minds, body, and Spirit. I work with people with stressful careers in medicine, law, finance, and small businesses. Knowing the necessity of keeping a clear head and calm body, yet have been struggling with heartbreak, anxiety, fears, loss and grief that has created overwhelming stress and expectations that limits functioning. It is a challenging balancing act with career, family , relationships, along with finding some quiet time to relax. I help you master these challenges with a very confidential, (no insurance or electronic records) safe, and caring environment.

I want to hear your story. You know... the story of getting in trouble in elementary school, your first major accomplishment, when your parents split up, the first time you fell in love, the career path you're currently questioning, and what it feels like to age. The official line: I am a therapist has a wide background in the mental health field. The human line: I believe connection and vulnerability takes courage. This life shit is hard. Through the power of sharing your story and myself as a passenger in your journey, we can make life feel, well, less like you're losing the battle and more like you're the hero of your story.

I specialize in working with men and adolescent males (14+). If this is you, it is my goal to help you overcome the barriers and problems in your life that are keeping you from experiencing the freedom you are desiring. Often times, these problems are the result of trauma from childhood that is still unresolved. Difficulties that we experience early in life often stay with us into adulthood, creating a a myriad of problems including depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction (sexual, drug/alcohol, work), sexual abuse, lack of self confidence, relationship issues, negative coping habits, physical or auto-immune disorders, & more.

Hello! I believe that each one of us comes into this world with particular strengths and gifts to offer. Through the turmoil, loss, and pain we face, we often become disconnected from our true and whole self, losing sight of these strengths and gifts. In our work together, my goal is to provide a safe and therapeutic container for you to explore what is blocking you from your joy, supporting and guiding you in reclaiming your whole self.

Humans are pretty cool. We can watch and rewatch our favorite movies and dye our hair whatever color we choose. But we can also sometimes get stuck in our heads, make decisions in the heat of the moment, or even hurt our friends and family emotionally. These things make us us uniquely human, too. I work with a diverse group of adolescents and adults experiencing a myriad of presenting concerns, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship problems, trauma history, suicidal ideation, identity development, and LGBTQIA. I provide school-based therapeutic services within Asheville High/SILSA and to adults in Asheville.

Most of us, at some point, feel disappointed with life. Maybe we expected it to be more. More joy. More peace. More connection with others. More meaning. We’re not looking for perfection, but is this all there is? You may label this feeling grief, anxiety, loneliness, depression, addiction, or you may be unable to give it a name. It may surface in you individually, or in your relationships. That nagging sense of discontent serves as a wake up call and it deserves attention. This is the purpose of my practice.