Danielle Ledesma, Psy.D.
In a world that often disconnects us from our inner wisdom and authenticity, I think therapy, in its best form, is a reclamation of who we really are. I believe therapy has the opportunity (and responsibility) to enact revolutionary change in our lives, relationships, and communities. In order to do this work, we must embark on a journey toward greater self-awareness, understanding, and compassion.
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Often, we carry habits, patterns, and narratives that were formed in our earliest years. They assist us in coping with our past yet can restrict us in the present. Therapy promotes self-reflection that can free and empower us beyond our familiar limitations and fears. Together we’ll engage with these patterns in a meaningful way to uncover a broader truth about your life, the person you want to be, and the life you want to live. I work with people from all works of life and have a particular lens for those who exist on the margins, including BIPOC, queer, and neurodivergent individuals.
My Training and Experience
I have a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the University of Denver and a doctorate in clinical psychology from George Washington University. My work experience has taken me to community mental health clinics, where I worked with undocumented folks; to private practices, where I worked with young adults and couples; and most recently, to a college counseling center, where I worked with young adults as they navigated the various stressors that accompany being a young person in today’s society. I also have experience in assisting couples overcome challenges in empathy and communication, helping them connect in a more loving way. Additionally, I treat a variety of conditions, including mood disorders, anxiety, perfectionism, race- or gender-related trauma, and relational issues. I have particular experience with helping people recover from narcissistic relationships with caregivers or partners.
Liberating, Transformative Therapy
With a foundation in psychodynamic training, our journey together will explore your inner world, uncovering the core beliefs that shape your sense of self, how others see you, and the types of relationships you draw into your life. Together, we'll navigate these aspects in a supportive and insightful way. By intertwining this approach with the insights of liberation and decolonial psychology, our sessions aim to help you recognize your experiences and challenges as part of larger systems, from family dynamics to societal structures that impact all of us. With this greater understanding of yourself and the world around you, therapy with me will support you in feeling more empowered, confident, liberated, and authentic as you navigate through life. Overall, my approach to therapy has been described as “warm and fuzzy,” but don’t let this fool you. Above all, I value being real with my clients and fostering a relationship grounded in collaboration, honesty, emotional embodiment, and laughter.
“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it”
- Rumi
