an image of Daniel Deschenes smiling at the camera

Daniel Deschenes, MSW, ASW

Registered Associate Clinical Social Worker #134497

Supervised by: Dr. Krystal Handy, LMFT# 111600

Identity and Life Transitions

Grief and Loss

Trauma

Client Focus: Individuals Navigating Life Transitions, People with Health Challenges, Couples, Trauma Survivors

Specialties: Identity and life transitions, grief and loss, trauma, health-related and chronic illness adjustment, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, self-esteem, stress management, communication difficulties

Treatment Methods: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Informed Care, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Somatic Practices, Grief-Informed Interventions

"I enjoy helping people untangle the Christmas lights, so to speak—those moments where life seems to be knotted and overwhelming. I'm deeply passionate about supporting individuals who have found the courage to seek help and work collaboratively together to find clarity, healing, and understanding."

- Daniel Deschenes

Daniel Deschenes is an Associate Clinical Social Worker who specializes in helping individuals navigate the tangled, overwhelming moments of life.

With particular expertise in supporting clients through major life transitions, health challenges, and identity concerns, Daniel creates a collaborative therapeutic environment where clarity and healing can emerge from confusion. He works effectively with both individuals and couples seeking healing from past experiences, deeper emotional connections, and meaningful personal growth. Daniel's approach is grounded in the belief that therapy is a space where clients can safely explore difficult emotions and experiences with compassion, understanding, and without judgment.

His therapeutic approach integrates multiple evidence-based modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Informed Care, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, and somatic practices. This comprehensive framework allows him to address both the psychological and physical dimensions of emotional experience, helping clients develop awareness of how emotions, stress, and trauma are stored and expressed in the body. Daniel's somatic and mindfulness-based techniques support clients in understanding the powerful connection between body and mind, fostering deeper self-awareness and more effective emotional regulation. His trauma-informed principles prioritize empowerment and collaboration, ensuring that clients feel safe and supported as they work through challenging material.

With a Master's in Clinical Social Work, Daniel brings experience from both medical and mental health settings to his therapeutic practice. His clinical background includes specialized training in CBT, Trauma-Informed Care, and Grief-Informed Interventions, equipping him with diverse tools for supporting clients through complex emotional terrain. Daniel's experience providing individual and family therapy across diverse populations has honed his ability to adapt his approach to each client's unique circumstances, whether they're navigating health-related challenges, chronic illness adjustment, or significant life changes. This versatility allows him to meet clients where they are with cultural sensitivity and clinical expertise.

Outside the therapy room, Daniel embraces his deep connection to Southern California, having returned to the Los Angeles area after living and traveling across the country. As a competitive swimmer, he maintains a profound connection to water and continues to find renewal through swimming whenever possible. Daniel values slowing down to appreciate life's simple moments—whether that's literally stopping to smell the flowers, going for a hike in the natural beauty surrounding Los Angeles, or spending quiet evenings watching movies of all kinds. These practices of presence and mindfulness in his personal life reflect the grounded, intentional approach he brings to his therapeutic work.

  • Daniel is passionate about helping clients discover or rediscover their voices, especially during times of life transitions or identity change, creating space where authentic self-expression can emerge and flourish.

  • He incorporates somatic and mindfulness-based approaches to help clients develop awareness of how emotions and trauma live in the body, fostering understanding of the powerful mind-body connection that influences healing and well-being.

  • Daniel's practices are grounded in trauma-informed principles that prioritize empowerment and collaboration, ensuring clients feel safe to explore difficult emotions and past experiences with compassion and without judgment.