I’m a psychologist, educator, and writer with over a decade of experience supporting people through trauma, chronic stress, and emotional wounds. Since 2017, I’ve run a private therapy practice and taught graduate-level psychology courses, while staying grounded in community-based mental health work.

My work focuses on helping women—especially Black women—heal, set boundaries, and express themselves with more clarity and self-trust. I specialize in trauma recovery, emotional communication, and burnout, and I’m deeply committed to making healing feel accessible, honest, and culturally rooted.

My book, You Deserve to Know, is a culmination of words of encouragement and support - things I regularly say to my clients in session. It’s a book about encouragement, truth-telling, and giving yourself permission to live more fully and authentically. I’ve also created two free guidebooks on trauma and chronic stress for anyone who needs support but may not know where to start.

Writing is one of my favorite ways to reflect and connect. I regularly share articles on my website, and if you'd like to stay in the loop when something new is posted, you're welcome to join my newsletter.

When I’m not working, I’m focused on living a simple but fulfilling life. I spend my free time writing, creating art, listening to music, and going to live shows. I enjoy reading, exploring wellness activities like workout classes or spa days, and I’m currently learning to play the piano. I also love being in nature—you’ll often find me at a local park, soaking up the sun and sitting quietly among the trees.

I occasionally share tidbits of my life on my Instagram, so feel free to follow me there @dralanaatchison.

My Approach to Therapy

My therapeutic philosophy is rooted in the belief that much of our distress stems from what lies beneath the surface. Drawing from psychodynamic theory, I believe the unconscious plays a powerful role in shaping how we think, feel, and respond. In therapy, I help clients explore the deeper, often hidden patterns that may be driving their suffering—unspoken fears, unresolved grief, internalized beliefs, and protective behaviors that once served a purpose but are no longer helpful.

But insight alone isn’t enough. Once we bring the unconscious into awareness, we gain the power—and the responsibility—to make meaningful change. That’s where cognitive-behavioral tools come in. I incorporate CBT principles to help clients challenge distorted thinking, develop healthier habits, and take action toward emotional relief and grounded clarity.

My approach is also deeply influenced by Buddhist philosophy. Like Buddhism, I believe the roots of our suffering often stem from greed, hatred, and delusion—attachments to what we want, resistance to what we don’t, and a refusal to see things as they are. I help clients notice where these patterns show up and support them in letting go of what’s keeping them stuck.

In the room, I’m warm, present, and compassionate—but I’m also direct. I don’t believe in sugarcoating, because without the truth, we can’t heal. I hold space with care, but I’ll also name what needs to be said, even when it’s hard. Growth often begins with honest reflection, and I’m here to walk with you through that process.

At the core of my work is a deep belief that peace is possible. A fulfilling life isn’t free of hardship—it’s one where we live in reality, grieve what’s been lost, accept what is, and move forward with clarity and compassion. While I provide diagnoses for insurance purposes when needed, I don’t believe in over-pathologizing. I focus on the root causes—gently, collaboratively, and with intention.

My goal is to help you live more authentically, more aligned with your true self, and more at peace.