5+ Years Exp - LPC
Danica Gurdinak
5+ Years Exp
5+ Years Exp
Danica Gurdinak
Hello! I'm Danica Gurdinak. I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor in New Jersey. I work with both children (12+) and adults. I graduated from Chestnut Hill College with a M.S. in Clinical & Counseling Psychology, as well as, a concentration in co-occurring disorders. Following this, I have been working in the field for five years. I have worked in every level of care (from residential, ER, PHP/IOP, and outpatient). At this time, I provide individual therapy and specialize in mood disorders (depression, bipolar, anger), anxiety, BPD, & trauma. For the past five years, I have worked in all levels of care from residential/hospitals to outpatient.
There is no better feeling as a therapist than a client breakthrough oreven that last discharge session. Seeing my clients plagued by OCD andthen free to move about life with no fear or obsession is particularlysignificant. Watching those with trauma love life and trust again is alsoincredibly beautiful to me.
I take my time getting to know you, I listen to your goals, hopes, dreams.I formulate a plan to get us to that state. Each session, I tend to takea half and half approach- one half for process and exploration and thesecond half for skills or solutions.
In the first session, it's all about getting comfortable with each otherwhile also getting all the key information. I tend to use that firstsession to review goals, complete a family tree, or begin working on aclient's personal timeline so I know the major events and people in yourlife.
Knowing how challenging life can be, to all of us at times. My motivationin becoming a therapist was because of my own personal experiences and myfamily's experiences. I knew I had to take what I learned and give back.
Highlights
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
There is an old quote that says "Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional." This isa saying that I came to live by & is one that I hope to teach to my clients. Lifeis unfortunately not always sunshine & rainbows, but it is up to us to giveourselves the skills & tools we need to not suffer through it.I hope to gift my clients the support, guidance, & mindset to overcome and findtheir strengths. In DBT, the objective is to build a life worth living & that's thework I do with my clients.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
I utilize evidence-based therapies, including Psychotherapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, Play Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy & Trauma-Focused Therapy.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My biggest strengths as a clinician are pretty simple- I care, truly. I'vealways been incredibly empathetic, patient, and nurturing. I'm authentic andcan keep it real when needed- but I do so in a gentle, playful manner. I loveto be creative in session. I pride myself on being a person who says 'If Idon't know the answer in this moment, I will find it for you.'
Specialities