André McDanel, MA, LMHCA

I help adults and teens with anxiety, depression, and shame feel safer in their bodies and confident in their own strengths.

My Work

My therapeutic work examines the holistic nature of each individual I work with. We will create a space together where deep understanding, self-care, and emotions that may feel scary can be explored without shame. This is done through narrative work, somatic work, and examining your past and present relationships to yourself and others. No one knows yourself better than you—my goal in therapy is to discover alongside of you who you are and who you want to become. In our work together, we may recognize origins of trauma, patterns you might feel stuck in, or what systems and beliefs you have held that feel heavy, weigh you down, or cause anxiety. Through gaining an awareness, developing mindfulness, and working together toward healing, you will feel freer to be your full self, empowered, and alive instead of just surviving.

My Belief

Our human nature requires connection to survive. We learned this as soon as we came from the womb. A deep desire to connect and an instinct to love can become thwarted or misconstrued when exposed to traumas, relationships, systems, dogmas, or institutions that have been harmful. I believe the desire is never lost, but sometimes we can feel disconnected to ourselves and others from the hurt we have experienced. Numbing out feels necessary when emotion or experiencing feels overwhelming. Talk therapy is one avenue into our healing, but I firmly believe our bodies hold all the information we need about what we have experienced, witnessed, and felt in our life. When we bring our mind and body together, we have a fuller understanding of who we are and are then able to form new experiences and pathways for the mind. We cannot heal alone—just as we were not harmed alone. I am honored to be a witness to my client’s stories and their journey inward that reflects change outward.

My Background

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (MC61288787) and received my master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. I received my BA in Communication Studies from California Baptist University. In my graduate education I have done additional research in trauma, sexual abuse, somatic approaches, the mind/body connection, and breathwork. I am trained in relational, psychodynamic, and attachment-based approaches and work closely with a clinical supervisor to ensure appropriate and thoughtful care for my clients.

My Self

I grew up in a small town in Upstate New York where we had more cows than people. Rolling hills, corn fields, and old barns still bring a warm sense of home and peace. The city of Seattle drew me in with the bustle of city activities so close to the great wilderness. It has become home for the past 10 years to me and my adorable tuxedo cat. My journey to my own therapy began with an unexpected detrimental grief. Everything in my body shut down and I knew I needed to do something different, drastic, and swiftly. Through my therapeutic journey of grief, I realized I had so much more of my story that needed attention and reflection. My personal experience with trauma, difficulties in relationships, and undesired repetitive patterns inspired me to go into this field. I am thankful for my journey, constantly reminded to be kind to myself, and committed to being a life-long learner.

Contact

Please use the contact form below to learn about André’s availability.