Danika Pflueger, LCSW

I work with children, families, and individuals to support emotional regulation, reduce anxiety, and create meaningful, lasting change.

I bring a warm, direct, and supportive presence to my work, helping children and parents navigate challenges with clarity and compassion. I believe in the power of early support and am dedicated to helping children build a strong foundation for lifelong emotional well-being.

I’m passionate about working with children and families, supporting young clients in understanding their emotions, building confidence, and developing healthy ways to navigate their world. I believe that early support can have a profound impact on a child’s life, and I feel deeply committed to helping children build that strong emotional foundation.

I create a warm, engaging, and grounded space where children feel safe to express themselves in ways that go beyond words. Through play therapy, creative expression, and sensory-based interventions, I help children explore their inner experiences, process emotions, and make sense of their relationships and environments.

My approach is both supportive and structured. I offer children the freedom to explore while also providing guidance that helps them feel contained, understood, and secure. Whether using tools like sand tray, imaginative play, or storytelling, I meet each child where they are developmentally and emotionally, allowing their unique way of communicating to guide the work.

I’m especially passionate about giving a voice to children who may not yet have the words to express what they are feeling. I see therapy as a space where children can safely show their inner world—and where those experiences can be understood, validated, and supported.

I also work closely with parents and caregivers, recognizing the important role they play in a child’s growth and healing. I provide guidance and support to help caregivers better understand their child’s emotional needs, strengthen connection, and create a more supportive home environment.

My background includes working with adolescents in residential treatment settings, where I provided individual and group therapy and began integrating play-based and experiential approaches. I have also worked with complex and high-acuity populations, which has strengthened my ability to remain steady, clear, and supportive even in challenging situations.

I integrate evidence-based approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based practices, and I thoughtfully adapt these approaches to be developmentally appropriate and engaging for children.

In addition to my work with children and families, I also support adults and couples navigating anxiety, life transitions, and relationship challenges. I help clients better understand patterns, build insight, and create meaningful change. My direct yet compassionate style allows clients to feel both supported and gently challenged as they move forward.

At the heart of my work is a strong sense of purpose—I see being a therapist not just as a career, but as something I feel deeply called to do. I’m especially motivated by the opportunity to advocate for children and support them early in life, helping to shape more positive and resilient futures.

I’m committed to helping children, families, and individuals not only navigate current challenges, but build the tools, connection, and confidence needed for long-term growth and well-being.

PRACTICE INFORMATION
I am part of Porta Verum Psychotherapy Services, an integrative, trauma-informed group practice dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and families heal from trauma, overcome emotional and relational challenges, and create lives rooted in connection, empowerment, and well-being.

At Porta Verum, we believe that well-being is possible—even if you’ve been struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or long-standing patterns that feel hard to change. Healing is not just about managing symptoms; it’s about developing the awareness, resilience, and tools needed to create meaningful, lasting change.

Our team of highly trained therapists provides compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to your unique needs. We support clients in understanding themselves more deeply, regulating stress and emotions, and building healthier patterns in their lives and relationships.

What makes our practice unique is our integrative, whole-person approach. In addition to psychotherapy, we offer mindfulness-based practices and therapeutic yoga designed to support nervous system regulation, reduce stress and anxiety, and promote deeper healing—especially for those recovering from trauma.

Whether you are seeking support for yourself, your child, your relationship, or your family, we provide a safe, supportive space where you can slow down, gain clarity, and begin to move forward with greater confidence and ease.

You don’t have to navigate this alone. We’re here to support you every step of the way.