Dana Polley
LCSW, PMH-C
Perinatal Mental Health Specialist | EMDR/Trauma Therapist | Space Holder for Big Feelings 💜 | (She/Her)
Meet Dana: Support for Motherhood, Identity, and Trauma
You’re a deep-feeling woman balancing a lot – career, relationships, family expectations, societal pressures, and motherhood.
You sense that becoming a mother will change everything, and the questions that keep you up at night feel overwhelming: “Can I really do this?” “What if the worst thing actually happens?”
With a grounded, compassionate presence, I can offer a space to unpack all your worries and process the ‘“What ifs”. Picture a supportive chat with a close friend, except I’m armed with a toolkit of therapeutic approaches to help you tackle whatever comes your way.
SERVING WOMEN IN COLORADO
Online & In-Person
OFFICE HOURS
MONDAY - FRIDAY
10:00am - 5:00pm
RATES & INSURANCE
Therapy: $175 per 50-min session
Insurance: Aetna and Out-of-Network
Dana Specializes In
Deep Feelings
Pregnancy Journeys
Body Image
Dana’s Story
Support for Motherhood, Young Adulthood, and Identity Exploration
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, maternal mental health specialist, and trauma-informed provider dedicated to supporting women and moms as they contemplate parenthood, process pregnancy loss, or navigate the perinatal period of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
My work as a therapist is informed by years of clinical training alongside personal experience. I've experienced pregnancy, miscarriage, and an unexpected c-section. I'm also navigating motherhood, hormone and relationship changes, and learning to love my post-baby body–right alongside you.
Bottom line: Your fears are welcome here. I too have felt anxious, overwhelmed, stuck, and unsure. I learned to create my own peace and to love all the parts of me, even amidst great transition. Let me help you do the same.
Dana’s Qualifications
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Licensed Clinical Social Work
Approved Clinical Supervisor
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Master of Social Work - The University of Denver
Bachelor of Arts in International Studies - Miami University
Perinatal Mental Health - Certified
Certified Sexual Assault Victim Advocate
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Foundations of Integral Sound Healing
Approved Clinical Supervisor
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Integration with Somatic Therapy and Parts Work
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Basic Training
Internal Family Systems (IFS) for Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Addiction & More
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Core Skills & Competencies
Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychotherapy
Perinatal Mood Disorders & Components of Care
Emotion Focused Family Therapy
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Perinatal, postpartum, and maternal mental health
Motherhood
Parenting
Relationships
Anxiety
Depression
Trauma
Grief/Loss
Hormonal Health
Highly Sensitive People
Identity Changes On Your Path to Motherhood
It’s normal to experience a variety of emotions, like joy, excitement, fear, and uncertainty, as you journey towards motherhood.
However, becoming a mom brings profound shifts in identity that our society does not talk about. You may feel caught off guard if you suddenly aren’t sure who you are anymore – or at a loss for who you want to become as a mother.
I can help you understand these identity changes. Together, we’ll explore who you are at your core – your values, aspirations, and internal experiences beyond being a mom, daughter, partner, or employee.
You’ll experience a reinforced sense of self, both ready to celebrate the changes ahead and rooted when things don’t go as you anticipated.
How Dana Can Support You
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Your Identity as a New Mother
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Embrace and explore your evolving identity as you step into motherhood.
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Contemplating Parenthood
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Share your honest feelings about becoming a parent—or choosing not to.
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Pregnancy & Birthing Anxieties
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Find care and validation as you unpack your pregnancy worries, big and small.
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Body Image: Before & After Baby
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Navigate complex feelings about your changing body with empathy and self-compassion.
EMDR & Trauma Therapy with Dana
On top of more pressing concerns – work, relationships, parenting, and more – you may carry the weight of past painful experiences. You may not even identify your struggles as "trauma”, but struggle with perfectionism, people-pleasing, or childhood memories that left you feeling unseen or unworthy.
I’m trained in EMDR Therapy, a trauma-informed approach that helps heal these old wounds and the unconscious beliefs formed in response. EMDR Therapy can address specific experiences–like a car accident, pregnancy loss, or birth trauma–or more ongoing concerns, such as the feeling you had to ‘be perfect’ as a child or the message that you couldn’t show emotion. All these experiences have far-reaching impacts on how you show up for yourself and approach motherhood.
If you are curious about EMDR Therapy, please feel free to reach out and schedule a consultation, or learn more about EMDR Therapy here.
Get Started with Dana Today
Whether you’re exploring the decision to become a mom, feeling anxious about pregnancy, or overwhelmed with what comes after birth, Dana offers expert guidance and compassionate space-holding to support you at every stage of parenthood.
Take the first step toward clarity, confidence, and peace of mind. Schedule a session with Dana today.