dane

Dane Ray, LCPC

Pronouns: No Pronouns
Works with Teens, Adults, and Families

HEALING WORK

Therapy with me…
As a Rehabilitation Counselor and trauma-informed therapist, I partner with clients in various stages of life and functionality. I approach healing as both a science and an art. With a foundation in Reality Therapy and Choice Theory, my clinical lens is guided by an unwavering belief in client autonomy, internal clarity, and the transformative power of self-awareness. My sessions are shaped by your worldview, cultural values, and personal goals—leveraging Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic techniques, and motivational interviewing to restore connection between mind, body, and self. Therapy is not simply a space for symptom management; it’s where integration, healing, and agency begin.

My impacting identities/roles that inform my work…
I move through the world as an African-descended, neurodivergent person, a parent, and artist. These identities are not separate from my clinical work—they are woven into my understanding of complexity, systemic injustice, and cultural nuance. They ground me in deep empathy and accountability to those I serve.

I feel informed and knowledgeable about…
I bring 20+ years of experience supporting individuals, couples, and families navigating anxiety, depression, PTSD, major life changes, identity development, intergenerational trauma, and relational ruptures. My training in Rehabilitation Counseling equips me to work across a wide spectrum of physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges, particularly those intensified by systemic oppression or chronic health disparities. I hold specialized expertise in Internal Family Systems therapy and am actively involved as both a practitioner and researcher within the IFS community. Check out one of my blog contributions from this year that is provided from an IFS lens: IFS: Understanding Your Inner World I Anchored Hope Therapy, LLC. Whether you are an individual or considering working on wellness as a unit, I have the background to support your goals.

I work best with clients who… are committed to sustainable change. Clients who thrive in therapy with me are curious, open to inner exploration, and interested in understanding the “why” behind their behaviors—not just the “how” of their actions. Whether you’re navigating a family crisis, life transition, or a loss of purpose, I work best with people ready to build a new relationship with themselves.

I am not a good clinical fit for… clients in acute crisis or those seeking brief, directive support. Additionally, if your healing process may be adversely impacted by or may have difficulty relating to male-presenting clinicians, I want to acknowledge that and support you in finding the best therapeutic match.

What makes me unique:
I am the only African male clinician at Anchored Hope Therapy and uniquely positioned through my background as a Rehabilitation Counselor—trained to understand the interplay between psychological, physical, and systemic barriers to wellness. My work is further distinguished by deep engagement in Internal Family Systems therapy as both a practitioner and educator, and by my extensive experience supporting families of all compositions through complex relational dynamics. I am also a person who is differently abled, so my doors are always open for those who are navigating life while living with disability.

In my family work, I am confident in supporting clients with navigating co-parenting through high-conflict divorces, to supporting LGBTQIA+ teens and parents through transitions, to healing multigenerational patterns of avoidance or addiction—my family systems work is trauma-informed, non-pathologizing, and attuned to the emotional legacies we carry. I hold space for families confronting issues around, estrangement, blended households, reproductive loss, and cross-cultural conflict with care, skill, and clarity.


LEARNING AND GROWING

I am currently increasing my professional development by… pursuing certifications in telehealth delivery, complex trauma treatment, and advanced Internal Family Systems techniques. I remain committed to staying on the frontlines of integrative, evidence-based practice that honors both clinical excellence and cultural humility. I am also a pioneer in the DMV as someone who has postgraduate research around plant medicines. I see the utility and benefits of decolonizing how people heal best.


FUN FACTS / RESILIENCE BUILDING

What resources help me to build resilience:
I find grounding in music, joy in writing, sharing with community, and power through movement. I also get recharged being in community—what I call “culturally-rooted moments.” Laughter, deep conversations, and family traditions all help me stay connected to purpose. Being a parent has taught me as much about presence and repair as any textbook ever could.


EDUCATION

  • M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling, University of the District of Columbia
  • B.A. in Leadership Studies and Religion, Birmingham-Southern College
  • Additional studies in Anthropology (MIT OpenCourseWare)

CERTIFICATIONS / TRAININGS

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS) – Practitioner, Trainer, and Researcher
  • Reality Therapy & Choice Theory
  • Trauma-Informed Somatic Practices
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Advanced Telehealth Provision (in progress)
  • Trained in (PAT) Plant Assisted Therapy (MDMA, Psilocybin, Ketamine)

What I’m Currently Reading…

Ask me! My book list includes everything from clinical texts to poetry that reminds me what liberation can feel like.