- psychodynamic approach
- cognitive behavioral tools
- trauma informed principles
About Daniel
Daniel Sontag is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with 25 years of practice in Massachusetts. He works with adults on concerns such as stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, parenting struggles, anger, and depression. He also addresses communication problems, guilt and shame, loneliness, life purpose, and post-traumatic stress. Sessions are presented in plain language and focus on practical steps people can use right away.
He draws on long experience as a therapist, crisis clinician, case manager, and program director. In first meetings he focuses on the immediate situation and gathers background to understand context. He uses that information to help people get unstuck and move forward.
His approach blends psychodynamic ideas with cognitive behavioral techniques. That means he looks at how past patterns influence current feelings and also uses exercises to change troubling thoughts and behaviors. He mentions DBT and trauma-informed principles as consistent parts of his work.
In sessions he aims to be direct and concrete. Expect conversations about what triggers strong reactions, how those reactions show up in relationships and work, and practical ways to respond differently. He will suggest simple exercises to try between sessions.
People often come when anger, persistent worry, or the aftermath of trauma make everyday life harder. He helps them identify patterns, practice new skills, and reduce the everyday burden of these problems.
Approaches used in online sessions and what they do
He describes psychodynamic work as looking at patterns that come from past relationships and experiences and how those patterns show up now. This helps when long-standing habits shape anger, relationships, or emotional reactions.He also uses cognitive behavioral techniques to map the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions and to teach specific skills for changing unhelpful reactions. Those exercises are useful for managing anger, anxiety, and low mood. He incorporates dialectical behavior therapy principles to help with emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness, and he follows trauma-informed practices when trauma is part of the picture.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist will review goals, symptoms, and what has or hasn’t helped before, then collaborate on which methods to try. That lets clients track what works and change course if needed.
Confirm the exact session formats before booking, as formats were not specified in the biography. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. Phone sessions can be lighter on bandwidth, while video sessions allow more face-to-face interaction; the therapist will help match the practical format to the client’s schedule and needs.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
Massachusetts
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, parenting concerns, anger, and depression. He also addresses communication problems, guilt and shame, isolation and life purpose questions.
How would you describe his therapy style?
He combines psychodynamic ideas with cognitive behavioral techniques and uses DBT principles and trauma-informed approaches. The style is practical and focuses on understanding patterns and trying concrete skills.
How much experience does he have?
He has 25 years of clinical experience working as a therapist, crisis clinician, case manager, and program director. That background informs both assessment and treatment planning.
What are his credentials and where is he located?
He is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) holding an MA and practices in Massachusetts.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does he take clients outside the United States?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Exact pricing is provided during the sign-up and scheduling process.
What is the first step to begin working together?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session. That starts the intake and planning conversation.