Vanessa Dunham, LCSW
she/her/hers
Welcome! I’m so glad that you’re here. Whether you are new to therapy or are returning to it, I know that taking the step to begin therapy can be challenging. I commend you on your courage and commitment to yourself to take this step. I believe therapy is a powerful tool for increasing support, increasing insight into ourselves and for fostering personal and relationship growth. It is my goal to provide a safe, compassionate and non-judgemental space for you to receive support in this journey.
I believe we all have unique strengths and the potential for growth. Sometimes when challenges in our lives cause distress it can be hard for us to see our strengths and sometimes we can feel stuck. I enjoy working collaboratively with clients to help clients identify their strengths, ways to overcome challenges and to build strategies that will foster a sense of increased peace and more meaningful living. In our work together we will explore if there are any patterns that are not as useful anymore to you, recognize how those strategies may have served you before and we will work together to find new insights, tools and skills that work best for you for your personal growth goals. Using a strengths-based and integrative approach, I draw from different modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy skills (DBT), interpersonal neurobiology, attachment theory and mindfulness techniques. I provide individual and relationship counseling. I often work with people experiencing chronic illness, cancer, chronic pain, anxiety, depression, adjustment to life changes, grief and loss, interpersonal difficulties and stress. I strive to be inclusive and affirming of all identities.
A little bit about me: I’m originally from the Midwest, but Texas has been my home since 1998. I was moved to become a social worker after my own personal experience with cancer as a teenager. I earned my Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2007 and after 3 years of working at a not-for-profit organization, I went back to school to earn my Master of Science in Social Work degree at the University of Texas at Arlington in 2013. During graduate school, I completed my counseling internship at the University's community counseling center run by the School of Social Work. In my career I have practiced in different settings including outpatient cancer centers, integrated care in a primary care clinic and counseling agencies. During my free time I enjoy baking, taking walks with my family, reading and game nights with friends.
If you’d like to speak with me to learn more or to talk about how we might work together, please call (512)201-4501 x 326 or fill out our appointment request form.
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Rates
Area of Expertise
Strengths-Based and Integrative
Warm and Collaborative
Chronic Illness, Chronic Pain, Disability. Life Transitions, Depression, Anxiety