Dana was born and raised in Europe, and since she was an adolescent, she felt that her calling was to help others. She became interested in psychology in her early twenties when she was overcoming struggles of her own. Her journey as a therapist started when she moved to the United States.
Multicultural Counseling: Dana has first-hand experience with the struggles, and emotions, that moving to a new country brings. Moving to a new country, or city isn’t easy. It can be scary. But with the right support, you will not feel alone and you will have the space for all of the emotions that come with this transition. Dana works to empower her clients to be able to understand their difficult emotions. She works with her clients to feel safe so they can be vulnerable. This vulnerability will allow them to take risks to allow this new foreign place to start to become their new home. Dana also works to help her multicultural couples counseling and immigrant clients to reach for connection and support during this process.
Dana earned her Master’s Degree in Counseling from San Diego State University. During her time at SDSU, she got trained in Narrative Therapy and completed her internship at a nonprofit community mental health clinic. Dana served a diverse population of clients that differed in age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and cultural background. Her experience consists in working with individuals and couples seeking help to deal with relationship distress and life challenges.
Dana received advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), a research-based framework that she uses when working with individuals and couples. Dana has also received advanced training in Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP). Through her expertise, Dana helps her clients process their difficult emotions, heal from affairs, and create and strengthen security relationships. Whether you are coming in for couples counseling or individual therapy, Dana helps her clients grow emotionally and build long-lasting connections. These connections are based on trust, respect, and love.
Dana is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist based in San Diego, California. She holds a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. Dana’s clinical practice is informed by Emotionally Focused Therapy, AEDP, and Narrative Therapy. Her therapeutic approach is collaborative, non-judgmental, caring, empathetic, growth-oriented, and non-pathologizing.
Watch Dana’s video about multicultural counseling and her counseling services in Romanian.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Training:
- Emotionally Focused Therapy Externship San Diego, ICEEFT
- Emotionally Focused Therapy CORE Skills, ICEEFT
- Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy and Trauma, Level 1, ICEEFT
- Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy, Level 2, ICEEFT
- Emotionally Focused Therapy Attachment Injury Repair Model Training (AIRM)
- Master Class: EFT with Interpersonal Partner Violence
Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) Training:
Dana Pasculescu is a Level II AEPD Therapist
- AEDP Immersion
- AEDP Essential Skills 1
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – reduce anxiety & distress:
- EMDR Basic Training
Circle of Security Parenting Program (COS-P) Training:
Registered Circle of Security Parent Facilitator
Professional Affiliations:
- California Association of Marriage and Family Therapy CAMFT, Clinical Member
- International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy ICEEFT, Clinical Member
Areas of Focus
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Dana Pasculescu is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #122835, supervised by Jennine Estes LMFT#47653
Get to Know Marriage Therapist Dana Pasculescu, MFT.
When did you decide to go into Marriage and Family Therapy?
I decided to follow my passion for helping others and pursue a degree in Marriage and Family Therapy when I moved to the United States. It was during this time when I decided to change my career and move away from a career in IT towards a more caring and empathetic path. I chose to become a therapist because I wanted to bring more meaning into my life and a sense of fulfillment that only caring for others offered.
Do you have advice for someone who is considering counseling?
Counseling is a safe space where you get to explore yourself and talk about your experiences. It is an environment where you can feel safe, valued, and free to be yourself fully. With the help of a therapist, you learn to build resilience and increase self-awareness and self-compassion.
What would you say to someone who is nervous about setting up their first counseling session with you?
Kudos to you for considering counseling. It takes tremendous courage to decide to go to therapy, take inventory of your life, and decide to change for the best. It is normal to feel nervous because sharing your personal story with a stranger can be scary.
I hope I will have the honor to meet you. It will be a privilege to listen to your story. I want to reassure you that if we get to work together, my main goal will be to create a safe space where you can heal, repair your relationship, build hope, and get closer to the best version of yourself. Schedule your appointment today to experience the transformative benefits of counseling!
Do you have a special area you focus on within the therapy field?
My specialty is multicultural couples, family of origin issues, and family dynamics.
I have experience facilitating couples therapy, individual therapy, and business partner therapy. I completed specific certifications (EFT CORE Skills, AIRM, EFT and Partner Violence, EFIT 1 & 2) that prepared me to work with these clients.
For couples therapy, I have experience working with religious and spiritual couples, premarital couples, and multiracial, multicultural, and diverse couples. I am passionate about working with these clients because, as an immigrant and bilingual EFT therapist, I am receptive to multicultural differences and the challenges that these differences can create in relationships.
In addition, I have experience working with individuals who struggle with stress disorders, self-esteem, anxiety, body-image issues, and relationship distress.
How do you pass your time when you are not working with clients?
I enjoy spending time with my family and loved ones. My husband and I love going to the beach, hiking, and staying active. My favorite activity is to watch the sunset at the beach. If you do not find me at the beach, you will find me at a coffee shop eating a French pastry and drinking a latte.
If you were not a couples therapist, what would you be doing?
If I were not a therapist, I would be a yoga or workout instructor because I enjoy helping others to better themselves and promote healthy habits.