Originally from San Diego, California, I moved to Atlanta in 1995…right during the Olympics. I can clearly remember the positive energy that was emanating from the city at that time. It was infectious and truly made the city more magical in my eyes. I liked Atlanta enough to stay…and it’s been my home for the past 18 years.
I studied Psychology at San Diego State University and completed my undergraduate degree at George State University in 1997. I then threw myself into the corporate world over the next 5 or so years and realized I wanted something more…something that allowed me to help people. I’ve always been that kind of person that people naturally feel comfortable around…and comfortable enough to tell me very intimate things. As kids, we always imagine we have some sort of super power in us. I finally realized that my “super power” was my ability to be empathetic, genuine and supportive of the people that entered my life. I knew that I wanted to do something with that, but couldn’t figure out exactly WHAT that SOMETHING was.
Then, in 2005, a co-worker of mine was having severe anxiety issues. I didn’t fully understand what that meant at the time and all I knew was that I wanted to help her feel relief.
We spent time talking about what she was going through and identifying tools that would help alleviate some of her anxiety. We scheduled 30 minute chat sessions, she would take regular walks around the office to clear her mind and sometimes just sitting with me in my office helped reduce the anxiety. Then one day she said to me “you know, you’d make a really good therapist.” WOW…that statement hit me like a ton of bricks. It was one of those “a-ha!” moments were I realized where my “road less traveled” was going to take me next. Her recommendation seamlessly tied into my desire to help people. So, I took the leap of faith (with a lot of support from family and friends) and enrolled in a Master’s Program in Professional Counseling at Argosy University, formerly the Georgia School of Professional Psychology.
It was at Argosy University that years of helping people merged with a solid educational foundation. I spent 2 years studying counseling and completed a 1 year internship at Positive Impact. I then graduated in 2007 with a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling. I spent the next 4 years volunteering at Positive Impact (a non-profit organization that serves the HIV/AIDS community) as I accrued the hours necessary to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. In May of 2012, I officially became Aaron Michael Danna, Licensed Professional Counselor.
During my time with Positive Impact, I have counseled numerous clients and facilitated support groups. It is through this experience that I have gained the best education possible. It is also through this experience that I have been able to hone my skills as a Person-Centered Therapy through the following principles:
1. Congruence: I am passionate about relating to my clients without hiding behind a professional mask. My goal is to be as genuine as possible during the therapy and to demonstrate that I have experienced many of the same feelings as my clients.
2. Unconditional Positive Regard: I do my utmost best to accept my clients for WHO they are and WHERE they are in their lives. I am here to listen without judgment or telling you what to do.
3. Empathy: People often get empathy and sympathy mixed up. I am not here to feel sorry for you. Instead, I am here to understand and appreciate how and what you are feeling throughout therapy.
It is through these principles that I am able to create a safe and trusting environment. This also allows my clients to be free to express their feelings without the fear of being judged. Additionally, it helps my clients understand that I am not here to change their way of thinking in order to explore the issues that are most important to them. I am here to guide, empower and enlighten them so that change can occur in the most organic way possible.
I want to know more about you and about all the things that make you who you are today. Let’s walk together to bring about the changes YOU want to make in your life. The road less traveled is far less scary when you have someone to share it with.
I studied Psychology at San Diego State University and completed my undergraduate degree at George State University in 1997. I then threw myself into the corporate world over the next 5 or so years and realized I wanted something more…something that allowed me to help people. I’ve always been that kind of person that people naturally feel comfortable around…and comfortable enough to tell me very intimate things. As kids, we always imagine we have some sort of super power in us. I finally realized that my “super power” was my ability to be empathetic, genuine and supportive of the people that entered my life. I knew that I wanted to do something with that, but couldn’t figure out exactly WHAT that SOMETHING was.
Then, in 2005, a co-worker of mine was having severe anxiety issues. I didn’t fully understand what that meant at the time and all I knew was that I wanted to help her feel relief.
We spent time talking about what she was going through and identifying tools that would help alleviate some of her anxiety. We scheduled 30 minute chat sessions, she would take regular walks around the office to clear her mind and sometimes just sitting with me in my office helped reduce the anxiety. Then one day she said to me “you know, you’d make a really good therapist.” WOW…that statement hit me like a ton of bricks. It was one of those “a-ha!” moments were I realized where my “road less traveled” was going to take me next. Her recommendation seamlessly tied into my desire to help people. So, I took the leap of faith (with a lot of support from family and friends) and enrolled in a Master’s Program in Professional Counseling at Argosy University, formerly the Georgia School of Professional Psychology.
It was at Argosy University that years of helping people merged with a solid educational foundation. I spent 2 years studying counseling and completed a 1 year internship at Positive Impact. I then graduated in 2007 with a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling. I spent the next 4 years volunteering at Positive Impact (a non-profit organization that serves the HIV/AIDS community) as I accrued the hours necessary to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. In May of 2012, I officially became Aaron Michael Danna, Licensed Professional Counselor.
During my time with Positive Impact, I have counseled numerous clients and facilitated support groups. It is through this experience that I have gained the best education possible. It is also through this experience that I have been able to hone my skills as a Person-Centered Therapy through the following principles:
1. Congruence: I am passionate about relating to my clients without hiding behind a professional mask. My goal is to be as genuine as possible during the therapy and to demonstrate that I have experienced many of the same feelings as my clients.
2. Unconditional Positive Regard: I do my utmost best to accept my clients for WHO they are and WHERE they are in their lives. I am here to listen without judgment or telling you what to do.
3. Empathy: People often get empathy and sympathy mixed up. I am not here to feel sorry for you. Instead, I am here to understand and appreciate how and what you are feeling throughout therapy.
It is through these principles that I am able to create a safe and trusting environment. This also allows my clients to be free to express their feelings without the fear of being judged. Additionally, it helps my clients understand that I am not here to change their way of thinking in order to explore the issues that are most important to them. I am here to guide, empower and enlighten them so that change can occur in the most organic way possible.
I want to know more about you and about all the things that make you who you are today. Let’s walk together to bring about the changes YOU want to make in your life. The road less traveled is far less scary when you have someone to share it with.