About Dana Upton

With a Master's Degree and License in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Master's Degree in Education with an emphasis on Social Emotional Learning and Multiple Subject Credential, Dana offers a holistic approach to child therapy. She has worked in schools for over 25 years in a variety of roles.  In the school setting, she has been a school counselor for children with emotional challenges from preschool to high school age, a Social Emotional Learning teacher working with students in grades K-6th, and a classroom teacher, serving children of all ages.  These experiences have reinforced her philosophy that is centered around empathy, child-centered care, and creating a nurturing space for children to explore their thoughts and emotions through play, art, and mindfulness.  "In this fast paced world, where so much of learning is happening digitally and so much of what a child experiences is on a screen, it is important to provide children with in person support that includes tangible experiences that facilitate emotional healing, learning, and growth to help them cope and make sense of the world, themselves, and their emotions." -Dana Upton

Dana's therapeutic approach involves using play therapy, art therapy, and mindfulness practices to help children express themselves and develop coping strategies. She believes in creating a supportive environment where children can feel heard, understood, and empowered.  This could involve a session of gardening, painting, working with clay, breath work, making bracelets, playing with toys, playing games like basketball, volleyball, or catch, board games, cards, listening to or making music, mindful moments, collage, playing with a dog or cat (if they are not allergic),.... and so much more.  Using these techniques engage children with their interests to process emotions and experiences in a safe way and learn coping strategies to help them self-regulate.