“The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.“
~ Charles Du Bos

I wanted to be a therapist from a very young age. I believe I came into the world sensitive and empathetic, with an innate desire to help others. When I was 9 years old, I spent the summer with a cousin who was a Psychologist with a private practice in her home. I was fascinated with the people coming in and out of her office, so I asked her about her job. I remember feeling an immediate sense of interest and resonance when she told me that her job was to listen to people and help them with their feelings and their problems. I knew this was the job I wanted to have when I grew up (along with being a ballerina-mommy, of course).

Growing up, and into my adult life, I’ve experienced therapy many times from the client perspective. I attended family therapy at age 10, couples therapy when my partner and I were struggling as new parents, group therapy more recently, and individual therapy beginning in my teens and intermittently throughout my life. I’ve experienced a full range of therapists (from one who was very warm and supported me through an extremely rough time, to one who was wise and very direct, to one who had an office full of dead plants, and another who actually fell asleep in the middle of our sessions!) Much of my style as a therapist was shaped by the experiences (good, bad and otherwise) I’ve had as a client.

When it came time to pick a major in college, Psychology was a natural fit for me. I also double majored for a time in Religious Studies, as I’ve always been interested in the influence of spirituality (or lack thereof) on our beliefs, behaviors, and mental health.

As a therapist, I’d describe myself as solution-focused. I strive to balance direct, honest feedback with warmth and care. My clients would say that I’m not the type of therapist who simply nods her head and says “uh huh.” I’ve found that clients appreciate a therapist who can be a bit more active in sessions, and that appropriate feedback, a different perspective, or a simple kind word given at the right moment can be powerful.  Of course, I also recognize the healing power of just sitting together in silence when necessary.

In my personal life, I am above all, just a human being doing my best, and making my way in the world every day. I’m also a partner, mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, and friend, all of which have shaped my counseling style.

I believe that the connection between a therapist and a client is one of the most important aspects of therapy. It’s important for you to feel as though your therapist is someone you like, someone who cares about you, listens and  understands you, and someone you feel you can trust. It’s also important that you feel safe and comfortable with your therapist.

Because I feel so strongly about making sure I’m the right therapist for you I like to have a short phone conversation prior to setting up an appointment.  We’ll talk briefly about what led you to seek counseling, and I can also answer any questions you might have about my ability to work with your issues or about the process of therapy in general.

I’d also recommend that you spend some time looking around this website. I wrote everything that’s here (with the exception of parts of the EMDR information), so looking around here should give you some idea of what I’m like.

I look forward to working with you.

Education & License

  • Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, #36768, California. June 2000
  • Master of Arts in Counseling. Washington State University. Master’s thesis: Adolescents’ Perceptions of Dating Signals as Indicators of Sexual Intent: Misperceptions and the Perceived Justifiability of Sexually Aggressive Behavior
  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. UC Santa Barbara

Certifications & Training

  • Certified EMDR therapist
  • EMDR Therapy training
  • Certified Hypnotherapist
  • Trauma-Sensitive Yoga practitioner training
  • Internal Family Systems (IFS), training
  • Gottman Relationship Counseling, training
  • Gottman 7 Principles Educator
  • Imago Relationship Counseling, training
  • MIGDAS-2 training in evaluating adults for Autism Spectrum Differences

Counseling Experience

  • 2000 – present: Private Practice LMFT
  • 1999 – 2000: Women’s Recovery Association. Therapist, Educator & Program Manager
  • 1997 – 1999: Family Service Agency. Therapist
  • 1995 – 1997: Suicide Prevention Center of San Mateo County. Group Therapist, Crisis Line Director,  Training Director
  • 1996 – 1997: Project FOCYS/YMCA. Family Therapist

For more details of my clinical experience, please see my LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dayna-reader-lmft-c-emdr-cht-7b5649a/

Dayna Reader, MA, LMFT, EMDR Certified
MFC # 36768
Please call for an appointment: (650) 483-8893

“When you come to the end of all that you know and are staring into the darkness of the unknown, have faith that one of two things will happen:
There will be something solid for you to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly.“
~ Unknown