Dr. Dana Blades, PsyD

Hi there. I’m Dr. Blades :)

About me

I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and a Black, cisgender woman with Caribbean roots. I have extensive clinical experience in private practice providing both psychotherapy and conducting comprehensive psychological assessments with children, adolescents, and adults.

therapy

I have worked with individuals experiencing a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, self-esteem and identity concerns, neurodivergence, grief, relationship challenges, and difficulties with boundaries. My clinical experience includes individual, group, and couples therapy, as well as psychological assessment.

My approach to therapy is integrative and collaborative, drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), psychodynamic approaches, and family systems perspectives. I have also received Level 1 training in the Gottman Method.

At the heart of my work is my belief that the therapeutic relationship is one of the most important catalysts for change. Regardless of the modality being used, I believe meaningful progress begins with a strong therapeutic alliance. When clients feel safe, understood, respected, and able to trust their therapist within a secure and supportive environment, they are better positioned to engage authentically in the therapeutic process and experience growth. Even the most evidence-based intervention is unlikely to be effective if a client does not feel connected to the person providing it.

I genuinely enjoy building relationships with my clients, helping them grow in the ways that are meaningful to them, and supporting them in developing a deeper understanding of themselves. I also believe that care is often reflected in the small things, such as remembering the name of a friend they mentioned several sessions ago, following up on something that was important to them, or simply being fully present when they share their experiences. These moments communicate that I see my clients as whole people and that what matters to them matters to me.

Assessment

The majority of my assessment experience has centered on evaluating ADHD, ASD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), learning disorders, personality and emotional functioning, and providing diagnostic clarification. I have also conducted pre-surgical psychological evaluations for individuals pursuing bariatric surgery.

One of the aspects I find most rewarding about psychological assessment is helping clients put the pieces of their experiences together. I genuinely enjoy thinking through an evaluation like a puzzle, looking at each piece of information individually while also considering how the pieces fit together to create a larger picture of the person. For many individuals, particularly those whose masking, high achievement, or other coping strategies have caused their difficulties to be overlooked or invalidated, the assessment process can provide an opportunity to finally have their concerns understood and validated. I enjoy carefully considering the full clinical picture, thinking through differential diagnoses, and ensuring that my conclusions are supported by the evaluation as a whole rather than by any single test score.

Education and Training

I earned my Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School in Washington, D.C., an American Psychological Association (APA)-accredited program, in 2025. I also earned my M.A. in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School and my B.S. in Psychology from the University of Delaware. I completed an APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship through the Mid-Atlantic Internship Consortium, and during my postdoctoral fellowship, I served as the clinical lead for a DBT program, where I provided DBT didactic training and clinical consultation to doctoral trainees.

Philosophy

Therapy

My therapeutic orientation is integrative, drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), psychodynamic principles, and family systems perspectives. I believe that effective therapy should be individualized, and that no single therapeutic approach will meet the needs of every client. I therefore draw from different evidence-based approaches and tailor treatment to each client’s goals, experiences, and intersecting identities. My work is grounded in a strengths-based perspective, with an emphasis on recognizing not only the challenges that bring clients to therapy, but also the strengths, resilience, and existing skills they can build upon.

I enjoy collaborating with clients to connect their current thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to the formative experiences and relationships that have shaped them. Through this process, we can develop the introspection and self-awareness necessary to better understand patterns, make intentional changes, and improve quality of life. I routinely incorporate DBT skills across clinical presentations to provide clients with tangible, practical tools they can use in their everyday lives. I also integrate ACT-based mindfulness strategies to help clients become more present and move toward living in alignment with their core values and goals.

I approach each session with curiosity and openness, recognizing that every client is the expert on their own experience. I often describe therapy as a journey in which the client is the driver and I am alongside them as a passenger, helping them navigate the road toward their goals. I welcome feedback and believe that open communication is essential to ensuring that therapy remains responsive to each client’s needs. I strive to be a strong advocate for my clients while also encouraging them to advocate for themselves. I balance validation with appropriately challenging clients to move toward the changes they want to make.

Being a psychologist means being a lifelong learner; therefore, I remain committed to continued growth, self-reflection, and expanding my clinical knowledge. Ultimately, I strive to provide care that is compassionate, collaborative, flexible, culturally responsive, and nonjudgmental. I also value promoting self-care, healthy boundaries, and balance between work and the other meaningful parts of life. It is a privilege to be part of my clients’ journeys, and I am genuinely grateful for the trust they place in me.

testing

To me, psychological testing is about much more than assigning a diagnosis. It is an opportunity for clients to develop a deeper understanding of how they think, feel, learn, relate to others, and navigate the world, while also identifying their inherent strengths. I take pride in translating complex assessment findings into clear, meaningful feedback and individualized recommendations that clients feel confident implementing in their everyday lives.

I believe the greatest value of an assessment comes from synthesizing multiple sources of information into a coherent clinical picture. When appropriate, I collaborate with therapists, psychiatrists, teachers, and other professionals involved in a client’s care to better understand their functioning across settings. I also consider the client’s cultural background, relationships, environment, and intersecting identities when interpreting assessment findings. My goal is to ensure that recommendations are not only clinically sound, but also realistic, practical, and relevant to the client’s psychological, occupational, social, and academic functioning.

I take pride in writing clear, thoughtful, and comprehensive reports that translate assessment findings into information clients can actually use. Ultimately, I want clients to leave their assessment experience with more than a diagnosis. I want them to leave with a clearer understanding of themselves, a greater appreciation for their strengths, and a roadmap for moving forward.

Specialty Areas

Comprehensive, culturally-sound psychological assessments

I provide comprehensive, culturally sound psychological assessments for children, adolescents, and adults, with the goal of developing a deeper understanding of each client’s unique strengths, challenges, and experiences. I consider multiple sources of information, including clinical history, test results, behavioral observations, and relevant cultural and environmental factors, to develop a clear and individualized clinical picture. My goal is to provide thoughtful diagnostic clarification while ensuring that recommendations are practical, meaningful, and responsive to each client’s needs.

therapy for Young adults

I enjoy working with young adults as they navigate the many transitions and challenges that can come with this stage of life. Whether adjusting to life after college, navigating career decisions, relationships, changing family dynamics, identity development, or greater independence, I provide a supportive space to explore these experiences and develop greater clarity and confidence. I work collaboratively with young adults to better understand themselves, strengthen their sense of identity, and build a life that feels meaningful and aligned with their goals and values.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

I incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) principles and skills to help clients better understand and manage difficult emotions, navigate relationships, and respond to challenging situations more effectively. I particularly value DBT’s balance of validation and change, helping clients feel understood while also developing practical skills to move toward their goals. I incorporate skills such as mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness to help clients build greater confidence and improve their day-to-day quality of life.

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)

I provide culturally responsive care to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), recognizing that culture, identity, family, community, and broader social experiences can meaningfully shape mental health and well-being. I strive to create a space where clients feel seen, respected, and able to explore their identities and experiences without judgment. I consider the ways that intersecting identities and lived experiences may influence how clients understand themselves, navigate relationships, and experience the world, while honoring each client’s individual values, strengths, and goals.

Additional Areas of Expertise

Academic Stress and Pressure

Adjusting to Life Transitions

Adolescence

Anxiety

Attention Problems

Child Anxiety

Child Depression

Child Therapy

Depression

Discovering Your Identity

Finding Meaning and Purpose

Finding Passion and Creativity Again

Generalized Anxiety

General Stress of Being Human

Grief and Loss

Identity

Life Stress

Life Transitions

Low Self Esteem

Mid-Life Crisis

Mood disorders

Perfectionism

Persistent Depressive Disorder

Personal Growth

Pre-teens

Relationship and Communication Difficulties

Seasonal Affective Disorders

Self-Care

Self-Criticism

Self-Esteem

Sensitivity

Social Anxiety

Stress Management

Struggling to Launch

Quarter-Life Crisis

Young Adults

Neuropsychological evaluation

Psychodiagnostic evaluations

Personality assessment

more ABOUT ME

A time I was inspired by a patient

My first therapy client as a doctoral student inspired me to be unapologetically myself and to encourage my clients to do the same. He was a transgender adolescent boy who often faced misgendering, discrimination, and transphobia. Despite these challenges, he remained unapologetically himself and never dimmed his light for anyone. His authenticity, strength, and courage left a lasting impression on me and continue to inspire me in my work as a psychologist. He reminded me of the importance of creating spaces where people feel safe to show up as their fullest selves, and I carry that lesson with me in my work with every client.

Why I became a psychologist/therapist/counselor

I knew I wanted to become a psychologist from the time I was in high school, and I was willing to do whatever it took to reach that goal. I have always had a passion for helping others, but my desire to become a psychologist was also deeply shaped by my experiences growing up. As a child, I witnessed my uncle struggle with schizophrenia while living in the Caribbean. Because of the mental health stigma and limited awareness and access to mental health care at the time, he did not receive the support and treatment that may have helped improve his quality of life.

favorite QUOTES