Meet the Team
my story
Dr. Don Trahan, PhD, DBA
Hi! I’m Dr. Don Trahan. I’m glad you’re here. I offer online therapy sessions to individuals ages 10 and up in the State of Virginia and Washington, DC. I work with college students, young professionals, and anyone experiencing a life transition that has you feeling stuck. If you are looking for someone to help you dive into goal setting and strategizing for a better situation, let’s connect today!
My Journey To Becoming a Counselor
Early in my journey as an undergraduate student, I realized that I had the ability to be a voice for those who were voiceless. In fact, it was in my general psychology course that I fell in love with understanding how the human brain works, namely our thought processes. I recall saying ‘if only I could help people find a new way of viewing their life, then I could make a difference.’
This desire led to me taking two additional courses in psychology and ultimately changing my major. I was fascinated by human behavior and the manner in which we make decisions. Fast forward to today, that same drive is what guides how I work with my clients in order to help them identify, address, and resolve matters in their life.
Our Sessions Are Focused On You
I commend you for taking the first step towards a new you. Therapy is something you’ve heard could be helpful, but initiating may feel intimidating. However, you’re reading this now because you’ve had enough of the frustrations, feeling misunderstood, and you are ready to face whatever it is holding you back, head on. You’re feeling exhausted by the time your head hits the pillow, but find yourself stuck in racing thoughts about all the things that went wrong today or what you have tomorrow, like a tv that you can’t shut off. You are worrying about things that are seemingly out of your control and I can help you see what is within your power to change, and what is not. You may have started to notice that you’re either forgetting to eat or feeling like you’re eating to deal with things. Drinking as a way to drown your anxious thoughts, stressor, and worries is maybe beginning to feel problematic. Your go-to ways you care for yourself are beginning to seem unhealthy or unsustainable or that caring for yourself is no longer a priority.
The stress of maintaining your basic responsibilities feels overwhelming and like you are constantly behind. Maybe you’re thinking “why am I constantly in an argument or feeling unheard or confused” – like your communication lines seem crossed and ineffective or you’re responding from a place of past experiences – struggling to be in the present moment with your people. Sometimes it feels necessary to get consumed in the corporate ladder climb grind. You go, go, go and lose track of time and what’s important to you and work and personal life is blurred and you don’t see a way out.
Together, we will change this narrative. You’re a human first, not a label or a struggle. It can feel easy to lose sight of that when your only goal becomes just making it through each day.
As A Therapist, I Embrace The Following Philosophies
- You matter
- Your voice holds value and must be heard
- Change is difficult, but necessary
- Yesterday doesn’t define tomorrow
- The process is the prize
Let’s Discover How I can Help
Over the years, I have made a point to truly look beyond the surface to get to know people on a deeper, more meaningful level. The real you. Your why. Your what. Your how. I work to create an environment in session where you can feel comfortable in just being yourself. I want to make sure I am seeing things from your lens and worldview. I believe the investment in creating immense trust in the therapy relationship is vital to create change. It can be easy to get wrapped up in work and other required duties, and maybe you’ve started to worry about a lot of things that are out of your control. I work from an integrated approach, which means we work together to set and achieve goals for you, using various techniques and strategies.
We’ll set expectations and these goals early on with the primary focus being on you finding your voice, elevating it in our work together, and I’ll hold you accountable to the steps you set forth to get you there. It’s my goal to normalize mental health and be as real with you as possible. Change isn’t always easy, but worth the efforts and the challenges that it brings along with it. I utilize the following treatment techniques:
- Client-centered
- Solution-focused
- CBT
Professional Background
I have a PhD in counseling from the University of New Mexico and a DBA with a specialization in management from the University of Maryland Global Campus. Additionally, I am a National Certified Counselor, Approved Clinical Supervisor, Licensed Professional Counselor, and a Certified Diversity Executive.