About Me

Dr. Elayne Daniels

Psychotherapy & coaching

In Her Own Words: Meet Dr. Elayne Daniels, NHSP

For more than 25 years, I’ve been accompanying adolescents and adults through some of the toughest challenges posed by today’s diverse, highly stimulating, Diet Culture-centric world.

Because of the courage and vulnerability of my patients, I’ve been able to discover and respond to a specific calling that’s been foundational to my unique specialty as a psychologist.

Time and again, it’s been two populations that have found their way to me. Two seemingly isolated populations with distinctive, yet often converging, characteristics.

“Hope begins in the dark; the stubborn hope that if you just show up and do the next right thing, the dawn will come.”
–Anne Lamott

A Dual Specialty: Far from Coincidence

Groundbreaking research into the neurological phenomenon of high sensitivity coincided with the start of my professional career. I was immediately captivated by the scientific revelations that helpd me understand my own unique response to the world. I have since devoted myself to helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) understand and embrace their unique trait, strengthen their self-esteem, improve their relationships, and succeed in their careers.

Interestingly, HSPs weren’t my only patients with distinguishable needs.

Adolescents and adults suffering from disordered eating and eating disorders have also found a reliable place for healing and emergence with me.

And it has been the unexpected intersection of these two patient populations – HSPs and people with eating disorders – that has forged an intuitive healing approach uncommon in the therapy world, where unique needs are usually treated separately.

Because I am an anti-diet advocate, HAES informed, and trauma informed psychologist, I care deeply about helping to solve our Diet Culture and body dissatisfaction crisis. My own highly sensitive makeup only deepens my priority.

As a Be Body Positive licensed facilitator and Intuitive Eating trained psychologist, I offer a deeper level of understanding, compassion, and treatment for recovering from eating disorders and body image complex concerns.

Finally, I am a yoga instructor and am certified in yoga integrated psychotherapy for people challenged by anxiety, depression, disordered eating, and/or trauma.

“When we pause, allow a gap and breathe deeply, we can experience instant refreshment. Suddenly, we slow down, look out, and there’s the world.”
– Pema Chödrön.

Where Hope Meets Commitment

My hope is that you will emerge from this journey into yourself with newfound freedom and confidence. That you will experience your body with a light of gratitude. That if you have an eating disorder, you will recover. (Because you can.) And, if you’re a Highly Sensitive Person, you will embrace your rare trait as a gift. And use it to thrive.

My commitment to you is to provide you the space, tools, and encouragement you need to create the life you desire and live in alignment with your truest self.

A few places I’ve left my footprints …

Psychology professor at several colleges across the USA
Professional conference speaker on the topics of eating disorders, body image, sexuality, and more.
Published in a chapter in a college textbook about the psychological effects of women’s pursuit of beauty.
Featured guest on local radio and television programs and on a variety of blogs,
Referenced in a documentary about the dieting industry

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR )

EMDR treats distress from traumatic memories and addresses negative beliefs created by traumatic events while decreasing the high levels of physiological activation that accompany such events. Research shows that EMDR can bring healing to people within just a few sessions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. CBT is based on the idea that thoughts and beliefs influence people’s emotions and behaviors. By identifying and changing negative or unhelpful thought patterns, individuals can improve their emotional well-being and make positive changes in their lives.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on helping people develop psychological flexibility and the ability to be present in the moment. The goal is to encourage people to accept their thoughts and feelings without judgment, and to focus on what they value most in life. This approach emphasizes the importance of being present in the moment and taking action based on personal values rather than trying to eliminate or suppress difficult thoughts and feelings.

ACT techniques include mindfulness exercises, values clarification exercises, and behavioral interventions designed to help people take meaningful action toward their goals. The ultimate aim of ACT is to help individuals live more meaningful and fulfilling lives, even in the face of difficult thoughts, feelings, and experiences

Be Body Positive Certified Facilitator

The Be Body Positive approach is a body-acceptance model that emphasizes self-compassion, mindfulness, and body appreciation as pathways to improved health and wellbeing.

My goal is to help individuals understand the negative impact of societal pressures to conform to unrealistic beauty standards and to develop a more positive relationship with their bodies. I’m committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone, regardless of body shape, size, or identity. This approach helps people overcome negative body image, disordered eating, and other related issues. Participants are able to achieve a more positive and fulfilling relationship with their body and self

Intuitive Eating Certified Counselor

Intuitive Eating (IE) is an approach to nutrition and eating that emphasizes internal cues, such as hunger, fullness, and satisfaction, rather than external cues, such as calorie counting or restrictive dieting.

Individuals with a history of disordered eating, chronic dieting, or negative body image will greatly benefit from identifying and overcoming the underlying emotional and psychological factors that contribute to problematic eating behaviors. (So basically all of us!)

The goals are to develop a healthy and sustainable relationship with food and to cultivate a more positive and compassionate relationship with the body. This happens when we develop the skills and knowledge to make informed and intuitive food choices that support overall wellbeing.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is sometimes used to treat mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. DBT is based on the idea that individuals with these conditions often experience intense emotional reactions that can be difficult to manage, and that this emotional dysregulation can lead to problematic behaviors including self-harm, substance abuse, or suicidal ideation.

The main focus of DBT is to teach skills to help manage emotions and improve relationships by learning mindfulness practices, distress tolerance skills, emotion regulation methods, and interpersonal effectiveness concepts.

Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) Meditation and Mindfulness Practices

I have certifications in LifeForce Yoga (for depression and anxiety), Trauma-Sensitive Yoga, Color Me Yoga for children and have developed a body image yoga curriculum for my private practice.

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The common challenges I help you emerge & unearth from:

“The body needs reinventing. To have a meaningful life, you have to use your body—you can’t experience anything without one—and so your body should be meaningful, too.”
– Deepok Chopra

My commitment to this process

My highest priority is to ensure I help you accomplish your goals and live a life as the best version of yourself. My core values are fundamental driving forces behind my connection to the world, my relationships, work and especially my collaboration with you.

Hope

Hope is an important part in the healing journey and has the potential to determine therapy outcomes. I recognize that during moments of uncertainty, it can be challenging to hold onto hope. That’s why I work collaboratively with you to cultivate this vital resource and harness its transformative power. Nurturing a hopeful outlook is essential for building resilience, which enables us to navigate challenging situations and bounce back from setbacks.

Trust

I’m dedicated to helping you heal your relationship with food, your body, and yourself. Feeling comfortable in your body, granting yourself the pleasure of eating, and simply taking up space are all your birthright. Let me help you get back to what you were born knowing but have been derailed by due to all sorts of messages in the world.

Growth

Growth is essential for everyone. I am committed to fostering personal and professional growth, both for myself and my clients. My practice is dedicated to supporting and guiding you on your journey to becoming the best version of yourself. I’m honored to be a part of this transformative process.

Authenticity

I am committed to being genuine, honest, and transparent with you. I’ve seen the effectiveness of what I practice and what I teach. I keep true to what I believe in. My environment promotes growth and healing. I practice and teach what I know works.

Connection

I provide a safe space for you to feel comfortable and eager to talk freely without judgment. My guidance is gentle and helps you to feel as if you are talking to a friend or a family member.

Let’s get started: 3 simple steps

1

Emerge

Contact me by phone or email to schedule a consultation and learn how we can work together.

2

Plan

We’ll meet and customize an individual plan to help you move forward.

3

Immerse in Possibility

Follow the guidance and plan we create together. Start seeing positive changes and celebrate every success.

Complimentary 10-min Consultation

Blog

From decades of experience, these collections of stories, strategies and tips will support your healing journey, inspire you and raise your self understanding

Join my free Facebook Group
for all sorts of free goodies, like guides, videos, and a like-minded community.
(www.facebook.com/groups/midlifehsps/)

Reach out today for a complimentary consultation call to see if working together could be a good fit!

(508) 404-9138

Complimentary 10-min Consultation

Dr. Elayne Daniels

Psychotherapy & coaching