Clinical Practice & Background
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist dedicated to helping clients find a path to healing and balance. My practice offers care for adolescents and adults navigating the challenges of anxiety and depression, with a deep clinical focus on trauma recovery and C-PTSD.
I am particularly committed to supporting first responders and healthcare workers through the specific pressures of their professions. Using evidence-based methods like CBT and DBT, I am also trained in brainspotting. I provide a professional and compassionate space where we work together to regulate your nervous system and reclaim your sense of personal safety.
Currently serving patients in a hospital adult PHP/IOP mood program, I combine clinical expertise with strong patient communication skills. I holding dual master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology (Pepperdine University) and Health Communication (Boston University).
Focused Care
Trauma Recovery
I work with individuals whose lives have been fractured by trauma, helping you find the safety and grounding necessary to begin the deep healing process. My approach is rooted in both clinical precision and profound compassion, ensuring you feel seen and supported from our very first session.
In our work together, we focus on emotional regulation and reclaiming your sense of self from the weight of the past. I provide a calm, trauma-informed sanctuary where you can process your experiences at a pace that respects your nervous system and honors your personal journey.
Healing from trauma is transformative work, and you do not have to navigate it alone. Together, we will build a professional roadmap toward a life that feels lighter, restored, and truly yours to lead.
C-PTSD Support
Living with Complex PTSD often feels like navigating a world without a map. If you find yourself struggling with deep-seated relational patterns, emotional flashbacks, or a persistent sense of hypervigilance, I am here to walk alongside you. My approach is specifically designed to address these long-standing echoes of the past, focusing on creating a genuine sense of safety and trust within yourself.
In our work together, we move at a pace that honors your nervous system. I integrate clinical precision with a warm, trauma-informed lens to help you understand your responses and develop grounded tools for emotional regulation. We won't just talk about the past; we will focus on restoring your capacity for joy and connection in the present, rebuilding the foundation that trauma tried to dismantle.
You can expect a professional, non-judgmental environment where your experience is validated and your resilience is recognized. Whether we are working on boundary setting or processing core beliefs, the goal is always your restoration. Together, we can transform the weight of survival into the freedom of living a life that feels truly yours.
Burnout & Compassion Fatigue
Over time, the emotional weight of caring for others can lead to a profound sense of exhaustion and detachment. Burnout and compassion fatigue often manifest as persistent irritability, a feeling of being 'drained' even after rest, and a loss of the empathy that once fueled your career.
Therapy provides a vital space to address the physiological impact of secondary trauma. We focus on nervous system regulation to help you exit the cycle of constant high-alert, allowing for true recovery. By establishing sustainable boundaries and identifying effective coping strategies, we work to protect your well-being so you can continue your important work without sacrificing your own health.
Healthcare Support
I provide a space for healthcare providers and first responders who are navigating the heavy toll of clinical work. I understand that your professional role often requires you to set aside your own needs, leading to burnout and secondary trauma. In our work together, I offer a clinical perspective that honors your expertise while creating the space you need to process these unique pressures. You can expect a professional partnership where we address the physiological and emotional impacts of high-stress environments. I work with a trauma-informed lens to help you regain your resilience, establish sustainable boundaries, and restore the sense of purpose that brought you to healthcare. My goal is to ensure you have the support you need to keep showing up—for your patients, your family, and yourself.
Session Pricing
Transparent, straightforward session fees - Sessions available in person or virtual.
50-minute individual session
$200
50-minute family or couples session
$300
15-minute phone consultation
Free
I am an out-of-network provider and do not accept insurance; however, I am happy to provide you with a monthly superbill if you wish to seek reimbursement from your insurance carrier.
Request a Consultation
How to Reach Me
I welcome you to briefly share what you are hoping to address in therapy, and I will reach out to schedule our initial consultation during business hours.
Please note this form is not for emergency use; if you are in crisis, please call 988 or 911 immediately.
My office is located at 120 Santa Margarita Avenue, Building B, Menlo Park, CA 94025.
Phone
(650) 360-7339
danielleschmitzmft@gmail.com