Professional Training

Dana Kovalchick is a licensed counselor in Washington State.  She has worked in research and clinical settings since 1995.  After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Brown University, she worked in sleep research and child development research before moving to Seattle.  In Seattle, she has worked at Harborview Hospital/University of Washington and Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center coordinating research projects on Mental Health Advance Directives (MHADs), adolescent self-harming behaviors, and hyperventilation and other psychological effects of traumatic chemical exposures.  Dana obtained her master’s degree in mental health counseling from Seattle University.  As part of her program, she interned at Children’s Hospital Outpatient Clinic as a child and family therapist.  After graduating, she worked at Southeast Youth and Family Services, a community mental health agency in south Seattle that serves mostly minority clients, before starting her private practice in the Green Lake Area.

Dana has presented at conferences in Wales and Ireland as well as participating in an
international working group for responding to chemical exposures.  She has also written articles for journal publication.  Clinically, she has trained outpatient mental health clients to create advance directives for mental health, facilitated groups for children and adolescents, mentored minority youth in Seattle, encouraged literacy by reading to kids and families at Harborview, acted as a big sister, and conducted therapy with individuals, couples, and families of all ages.  Dana also served as adjunct faculty at Seattle University where she supervised and taught master's level students in the mental health counseling program.   She  facilitates parent groups for PEPS (Program for Early Parent Support) as well as giving presentations on adjustment to motherhood, postpartum mood disorders, couples relationship, and libido after having a child.  Dana has been recognized by colleagues, supervisors, and clients as being approachable, understanding, easy to talk to, and supportive of personal goals.  She has an accepting yet challenging nature.

Life Experiences

Dana’s own life experiences of loss, growth, marriage, conflict, transition, and continued learning greatly impact her ability to relate to clients.  Her volunteer and work experiences complement her natural inclination towards connecting with others in a healthy and productive way.  In her spare time, Dana enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, biking, and creative writing.

Theoretical Approaches

Dana uses a variety of approaches with her clients.  She forms a team with each client
to determine the style that is most suited for the individual or group receiving services.  
Dana particularly enjoys approaches that include existential, cognitive, narrative, relational, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) theories.  Dana continues to attend peer consultation, supervision, and trainings to increase her knowledge of the rapidly growing field of mental health.

2366 Eastlake Ave E, Suite 225    
Seattle, WA  98102
Telephone:  206.419.0155
Email:  dkovalchick@msn.com