Telehealth and In-Person Therapy in Petaluma, CA
Dana Levandoski, LCSW, PMH-C
Inclusive and Compassionate Therapy for Everyone
I work with individuals from all walks of life, including those in non-traditional, blended, and chosen families. My goal is to help you navigate your challenges in a healthy, empowering way, without judgment or labeling your experiences as problems. I support people of all sexualities, identities, and family backgrounds, and I believe in creating a space where everyone feels respected and understood. It's important to me that therapy feels welcoming and inclusive, so you can feel safe to explore and grow in your own way.
Outside of work, I love spending time with my family, riding my bike, waking my dog, and enjoying the beauty of Sonoma County. I appreciate all the area has to offer - from enjoying local cheeses and apple picking to exploring farmer’s markets and antique fairs. I look forward to getting to know you and being a part of your journey to peace, clarity and strength as you work toward your goals.
There is no one size fits all approach to therapy. I like to take an integrative approach, meaning I pull from various evidence based therapies, to customize our work together based on YOUR needs. Here are just a few of my favorites -
Treatment Approach
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Mindfulness is a practice, and it takes practice! Mindfulness is about bringing your attention to the present moment, noticing what’s happening without judgment, and simply observing your thoughts, feelings, or sensations. One of the most powerful tools in mindfulness is your breath—no matter where you are or what you're going through, you can always return to your breath as a way to ground yourself. I find that teaching breathing techniques and relaxation exercises can be incredibly helpful in calming the mind and finding moments of peace, especially when things feel overwhelming and it’s something we can do together in session, so you feel more comfortable using breath work outside of sessions.
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a unique approach that combines elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with mindfulness and acceptance strategies, making it especially effective for managing intense emotions and improving relationships. What makes DBT special is its focus on balancing two seemingly opposite ideas: accepting things as they are while also working toward change. In our work together, we can focus on building skills like emotional regulation, staying calm during difficult moments, improving communication, and managing distress. What I like about DBT is it is more than just talking, DBT provides practical tools to cope with emotional struggles and improve relationships in a meaningful way.
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Solution-focused therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on finding solutions to problems rather than dwelling on the issues themselves. Together, we can explore what has worked for you in the past, even in small ways, and identify practical steps you can take to move forward. You likely already have the skills you need within yourself, you just need some help accessing them.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a way to help people understand how their thoughts and feelings affect their actions. It teaches you to notice when you’re feeling upset or anxious, figure out what thoughts are causing those feelings, and then find ways to change those thoughts. By doing this, you can learn to handle problems better and feel more positive about yourself and your life.
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Psychodynamic therapy is a type of therapy that helps you understand how your past experiences and feelings shape the way you think and behave today. It involves talking about your thoughts, emotions, and memories, which can help you uncover patterns in your life. By exploring these deeper feelings, you can gain insights that lead to personal growth and help you deal with challenges more effectively.
What Can I Expect From You?
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Feel free to reach out to me however works best for you—whether by text, email, or through my website—and we’ll set up a free 15-minute consultation call to chat.
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Once we connect, we can schedule our first session, which will be 50 minutes. You can choose to meet virtually (tele-health) or in-person at my office in downtown Petaluma.
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At this time, I’m not on any insurance panels. I understand that therapy can be a financial commitment, and I want to make it as manageable as possible for you. I encourage you to reach out to your insurance provider before starting therapy to see if my services might be covered in full or in part.
If your insurance allows for reimbursement, I’m happy to provide a "Super Bill" (a detailed receipt) that you can submit to your insurance for reimbursement. Feel free to ask me about this if you’re unsure how it works—I’m happy to help however I can.
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I typically recommend starting with weekly sessions so we can dive in and build a strong foundation. As you start feeling better and more confident, we’ll space out sessions and eventually work towards wrapping up therapy when you feel ready. My goal isn’t for you to be in therapy forever; I want to help you gain the tools and confidence to handle life’s challenges on your own, so you feel empowered to face whatever comes your way.
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Whether you're looking for short-term support or something longer-term, I’m flexible and happy to work with you however best fits your needs. I also welcome clients to come back for support at any time—whether you’re returning for a quick tune-up or looking for more in-depth help.