Danika Girdner, MD, LCSW-C
Compassionate practical support for relationship and parenting concerns
Explore online therapy options- Years in practice
- 5
- Credentials
- MD, LCSW-C
- Licensed in
- Maryland
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Relationship issues
- Focus
- Family conflicts
About Danika
Danika Girdner works with people who are facing relationship strain, family conflict, parenting challenges, intimacy questions, anger, and self-esteem concerns. She helps with issues like communication breakdowns, infidelity, jealousy, and blended family stress. Danika brings a calm, pragmatic style to conversations and focuses on actionable steps people can try between sessions.
She is a medical doctor and a licensed clinical social worker in Maryland - MD and LCSW-C. Danika has five years of practice experience supporting people through common relationship problems and emotional strain.
Background and approach
Sessions are aimed at clearer communication and practical problem solving rather than abstract theory. In sessions she uses a mix of approaches that suit the person and the situation. Expect straightforward talk about what is and isn’t working, skills for managing strong emotions, and exercises to improve connection.
She draws on methods that emphasize values, present-moment awareness, and workable behavior changes. Parents who feel overwhelmed by caregiving stress or recurring household conflict can work on routines, boundaries, and clearer expectations. Danika also supports people navigating commitment worries, control issues, and the fallout of past family-of-origin patterns.
Her style is collaborative and down-to-earth. People leave with small experiments to try and ideas to practice between meetings. Danika aims to make the next steps feel manageable and realistic.
What Danika works with
Everything Danika lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Danika helps people with.
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Intimacy-related issues
- Parenting issues
- LGBT
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Avoidant personality
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Dependent personality
- Domestic violence
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Infidelity
- Jealousy
Approaches Danika lists
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Gottman Method
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Therapeutic approaches and online care for relationships
Danika commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and the Gottman Method in her work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying personal values and taking small behavior steps that match those values while teaching ways to live with difficult thoughts. The Gottman Method offers practical exercises and communication techniques aimed at reducing conflict and rebuilding emotional connection in partnerships.She also draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and replace them with concrete skills for managing stress and anger. Choosing the right approach is a team effort; the therapist will discuss goals, try methods, and adjust based on what helps most. Clients and the therapist work together to find the best fit for their goals and preferences.
Online therapy with Danika is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility. Video is useful for deeper conversations and interactive exercises, phone can be easier when bandwidth is limited, short live chats or text messaging work well for quick check-ins and practice reminders. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy family schedules and keep momentum between meetings.
Questions people ask about Danika
What kinds of relationship or family concerns are addressed?
Danika works with relationship strain, family problems, intimacy issues, parenting challenges, anger, low self-esteem, LGBT concerns, and related topics like infidelity, jealousy, and blended family stress.
How would you describe the therapy style and approach?
The approach is collaborative and down-to-earth, mixing acceptance-based work, mindfulness, cognitive strategies, and relationship tools to improve communication and coping.
What is Danika's professional background?
She holds an MD and is a licensed clinical social worker with five years of professional experience working on relationship and family issues in Maryland.
Where is Danika based and licensed?
She is licensed in Maryland and practices there; sessions are offered from that location.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Therapy can be delivered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs.
How is payment handled and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist arrangements; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Danika?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
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