The Work

How have you found the therapist you work with or want to work with? For me, it was asking my friends who they've heard about or have worked with. I know others have had some luck with online lists like psychologytoday.com. Ask the supportive people in your life about their experiences and recommendations. Sometimes even reaching out to a clinician (even if they are full) will result in getting a referral to someone they trust. Good luck out there! I now have some openings for new clients. Shoot me a message or book a session on my website: theworktalktherapy.com

I love getting to work in this space. It feels like home to me, and I love getting to work with you all here too!

Hey there! I hope you're having just a great day. Just wanted to express my gratitude for all of your support over the past months as I have transitioned into my new therapy office. It's been a journey to get here and I'm grateful to be on it. I'd love to work with you if you are looking for a therapist, or even if you know someone who is. I'm currently accepting new clients at my office in the Crossroads. I also see clients online via telehealth too. If you have any questions shoot me a DM or an email. Talk to you soon.

This one hits home. I really believe that learning to love or express awareness of any emotion can be like learning to speak a new language and if that's never been shown to you how can you know how to do that yourself? Therapy can be a huge help to help learn how to speak that language.

Anger is often the only emotion that men are taught is acceptable and so it gets overused in place of actually getting the cause cared for.

It's a sad thing to say, but men that are in touch with their emotions and able to communicate that awareness to others are seen as weak in a lot of cultures. This may be an evolutionary function that clearly no longer serves its purpose. The good news is that we can evolve out of that mindset as a culture. Men talking to other men, being vulnerable, opening up and being honest can help each other heal and makes a different world possible.

When you follow what inspires you it doesn't necessarily matter what your output is.

For me, the areas I've been the most *successful in have been the things I've pursued with joy and unattachment. I'm there to be inspired and follow without expectation. It's when I listen to my intuition about the relationship, art, music, school, business that it unfolds naturally the way it should, instead of forcing the issue.

So, get curious about something or someone just for the sake of being present with it, and follow where the universe takes you. After all, the universe is unfolding just as it should, always.

*successful, meaning the parts of my life where I've found joy and encouragement just for myself.

It's just not helping anyone to try and do everything. When you do this you're just on your way to burning out. It's not helping yourself much less the people around you, and you have to wall up emotionally to charge forward in this way. It may be the safest way, but it's just not sustainable. It's ok to take your time, be kind to yourself, and check in on what you need. Those needs aren't unreasonable they are THE place to start. Regardless of what culture demands of you, you can take your time.

Hey KC peeps! The collective I’m a part of are having our open house next Friday October 14th from 6-8. Come hang out and see our space and meet all the great therapists and folks that work here. I’ll be there, so bring a friend and come say hi!

We will have some music, drinks and snacks and would love to show you our offices and get to know each other.

Design is really important to me, and I love being in spaces that are inviting, combining intentional history. I've been stoked to work on my office, designing a place that fills up the senses and is comfortable. As a touring musician, before becoming a therapist, I've always worked on the move and never had the opportunity to set up a space like this to work out of. It feels like a good landing place for me. If you are looking for a therapist or know someone who is send me a message, I'm currently accepting new clients and would love to answer any questions you may have.

Do you travel for work? Work-life can get busy, leaving you feeling drained and disconnected. Take time to get in touch with the people that you love and feel supported by. This is so important, even if it's in small doses. It can help you stay grounded and connected to yourself.

I used to travel 100-200 days a year for work and, at times, it could be incredibly isolating to be away from the people that know me. I had to work to stay connected to those that love me and it made all the difference in my daily outlook.

One of the first steps to better health is rest. Physical and mental health can't progress forward without it. When you are rested you are more readily able to regulate yourself and see your world outside of its lower brain function (fight/flight/freeze/fawn/flock). This can give you access to the areas of your brain that allow a creative flow state. I personally don't believe there is any right way to be productive but imagine entering into your creative process well rested, regulated, and resourced. This, in contrast to a more burnt-out, traumatized awareness, throwing yourself at an endless list of "have-to's". Get rest, as much as you have time for. Peace and rest. This is the first step to healing.

If your only focus is output you will burn out. We can, at times, become hyper-focused on the end goal and miss some important steps along the way. One of which is your one wild and precious life! Staying present in this moment, always this one, can be incredibly helpful to remain connected to yourself and what you need.

It's expected that men shouldn't cultivate their emotional awareness much less express them. It's not perceived as safe to do so around other men and so often times the access to these instincts are never developed.

There is good news, that growth is possible. Emotional awareness can be cultivated by having conversations with yourself (and others) about what you are feeling. Understanding your emotions can feel like learning to speak a new language so be gentle with yourself and take your time. Communicate with others what you do know about your internal experience and that you are still learning. Most people can hold space for that kind of awareness.

Hey there! I am currently accepting new clients at my office in the Kansas City Crossroads or online via telehealth. I work from a trauma-informed perspective with a number of symptoms like depression, anxiety, addiction, identity issues, racing thoughts, and couples conflict. You can schedule an appointment on my website (theworktalktherapy.com) or send me a message with any questions you have. See you soon!

Constant hustling comes at a cost. This can look like burnout, emotional shutdown, or problems with our loved ones. We all need downtime to find inspiration and recharge. This is just as important as your output. So how do you build that into your process? To love yourself, turn off, and unplug means being boundaried with the time you're not "on". We all have to make some type of living, but it's not sustainable to constantly be on the treadmill. Even if it's small, you deserve rest.

You are not only what you produce...at home, work, or in your creative life. We have a tendency to measure our worth based on our achievements. Don't be fooled into reducing youself into something so limited. This can lead to an imbalance in work/life and can be an indicator that you are using your accomplishments to cover up places that could use healing.

I wanted to introduce myself. Hey! I’m Dan.

I became a therapist after working as a touring musician for 20 years. I founded the band Listener in ’02, & have made music under the name since the mid 90s. In Listener, & as a solo artist, I’ve played thousands of shows all over the world to audiences small & large. I’ve always written about emotions & have seen how sharing my experiences can inspire others to get in touch with their own. My work has given me opportunities to live life in cultures around the world, & although I’ve lived many places KC has been my home for almost a decade. I have a degree is in tv/film/radio broadcasting with a minor in graphic design, & I’ve always felt a pull to stay in touch with my artistic instincts. Over the past few years I have taken up painting large abstracts, & have shown my work at solo exhibitions in KC & Omaha. In undergrad I started playing rugby & after graduation continued playing for clubs around the US, and occasionally play locally and on my alma mater’s alumni team.

Why become a therapist? I’ve spent much of my life searching, creating, & going back for more connection to the truths that have helped me sort through life’s meanings. I lost my dad at a young age & working through that loss with a therapist made me aware of the healing that is possible through therapy. Amongst the various emotions that come up I’ve processed my own trauma & have felt how healing it is to do this work in my own life. Through my creative endeavors therapy is something I feel like I’ve been doing for much of my life but without the training to do so. I specialize in working with couples & individuals dealing with trauma, depression, anxiety, grief, conflict, su***de, & identity issues. I have also loved getting to work with other creatives, artists, musicians (touring or not), & their support persons from the unique perspective of my own experiences.

Just like everyone else I’m not perfect, but I’m willing to go with you to those places you thought were impossible to move through. Get in touch and we’ll see if we can wok together.

This is your space, ours together, but yours. A place for healing, a place for you to grow. As you do the work in your life my hope is that this will be a starting point for your story to be held in. For you to think back on when you are out in the relentless world and know that you are unlimited and able to heal no matter what comes your way.

The new office is coming together, and the plants are loving it!! I currently have openings for new clients, and sessions can be booked from the website: theworktalktherapy.com

If you’re looking for a therapist in the KC area check out my new website for availability or send me a message with any questions. See you soon!

Getting the office all set up!

The Work, talk therapy for couples & individuals. Coming soon in August 2022 to The Crossroads in Kansas City.