Dani Greenfield, Ph.D.

Hi there, my name is Dani, and I am a postdoctoral clinical psychologist at Bryant West Psychology. I offer psychotherapy to adults of all ages, both in-person and online. I can help with a wide range of difficulties, including anxiety in all of its forms, depression, trauma (both complex and acute), self-esteem, and navigating issues related to gender, sexuality, and identity formation. I welcome all expressions of gender and sexual orientation, and approach treatment through a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive lens.

My grounding in psychodynamic, relational, and humanistic psychotherapy means that I believe our present-day sense of self and ways of relating with others are rooted in our early experiences and relationships, often outside of our awareness. Deeply rooted patterns of behavior and connection, barriers to fulfillment, or parts of ourselves we’ve lost touch with may have once been essential to our emotional survival. Yet over time, our unconscious attachment to these patterns can contribute to emotional pain, numbness, anxiety, depression, and disconnection from our authentic self.

This doesn’t mean that your childhood will be the main focus of therapy. Rather, we can bring these experiences into the present and learn from what is happening in your life now, including the struggles you’re facing and what unfolds within our therapy relationship. I believe that an emotionally secure therapeutic relationship is at the heart of meaningful and lasting healing. Even struggles that may arise between us can offer meaningful opportunities for understanding and growth. By paying attention to what emerges in the “here and now,” we can develop greater self-awareness and insight. From there, we can begin to loosen patterns that may no longer serve you and make space for new possibilities.

I strive to create a therapy environment that feels safe, trusting, and warm, where you can bring in whatever is on your mind and explore it with non-judgmental curiosity. While our work will be grounded in a psychodynamic and relational approach, I may also incorporate practical tools from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) when helpful, giving you additional ways to navigate difficult thoughts, emotions, and situations in your day-to-day life.

I earned my PhD in Clinical Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Master’s in Forensic Psychology from Nottingham Trent University, with research focusing on paraphilias, sexual grooming, and sexual minorities. My clinical training has been extensive and broad: I completed my predoctoral internship at the New Jersey VA, where I worked with individuals dealing with acute PTSD, cancer, and chronic pain. I also completed intensive clinical training on the NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Acute Psychiatry Unit, in community-based mental health, and in neuropsychological assessment at the Yale School of Medicine.

I understand that deciding to start therapy can feel heavy and anxiety-inducing, and choosing a therapist can often be just as daunting. My hope is to help lighten that burden. If anything I said here resonates with you, please do not hesitate to reach out so that we can explore whether we might be a good fit.