Dana Fears CADCI, LPC Intern

Education

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University (2016)

Bachelor of Arts in Social Science with a minor in Spanish from Portland State University (2007) and another Bachelor of Arts in Child and Family Studies (2011).

CADC I from ACCBO (2018).

Dana began working officially in SUD treatment in 2014 and has intentionally worked exclusively in positions that serve youth. Prior to entering SUD treatment as a therapist, she served as a peer support and wellness specialist working with young adults in transition ages 17-24 years old, who were identified with dual-diagnosis concerns in a residential facility. Subsequently, she went on to work as an intake counselor in IOP to youth and their mothers treating trauma, depression, anxiety and substance use. She worked as a care coordinator providing school-based intervention that treated addicted family systems. Most recently, she served as an integrated intensive outpatient and community-based therapist with youth ages 6-18 years of age for approximately two and a half years. Her passion is to work exclusively treating pre-teens and teens (and of course their parents) in the recovery from dual-diagnosis concerns.

She has worked for Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare, Inner Journey Healing Arts, Youth Contact, and Morrison Child and Family Services. She has also volunteered with Cares NW, Cedar Counseling Center, and Well Arts Institute.

Services Offered

Individual, family therapy, and group therapy provided.

Theoretical Orientation

I think that people are doing the best they can with the resources they have. I believe that symptoms are a part of a creative adjustment that has become ‘hardened’ to an unmet need and can have a resisting effect towards the process of recovery. Substance use often tricks the individual into thinking they are getting this need met. Therapy does not exist to benefit anyone in a vacuum. Family systems have to be involved and family interactions have to be readjusted, in order to get to the bottom of those unmet needs.

I align with Gestalt, Family-systems, inquiry-based and person-centered therapy. I take a harm-reduction approach to working with mental health and substance use issues and believe that addiction and self-medicating behaviors are functional and relational. I will walk alongside youth and their families exploring how to improve communication skills and help them learn appropriate emotional expression. I will emphasize the importance of relapse prevention and stress management tools, so they can lead their best lives without a pattern of marked reliance/avoidance on the use of substances.

More Information

I enjoy sewing (by hand and machine), painting, decorating, frequenting bazaars and craft stores, and writing memoirs. I love to spend time with friends and my family.

Ages Served

6-11, 12-14, 15-17

Specialties

Bipolar Disorder , Depression, Stress Management, Parenting Issues, Addictions, DBT, Abuse, Anxiety/Fears/Phobia/Panic Attacks, Family Therapy, Grief/Death