Dayna Hunt, LMFT - Therapist in California

About Dayna

Dayna Hunt is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California. She brings 27 years of clinical experience and a straightforward, practical style to family and parenting concerns. Dayna listens carefully and helps families and individuals tackle problems without jargon.

She focuses on clear skills parents can use right away. Dayna trained at California Polytechnic State University for her Bachelor of Science and earned a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology at Dominican University in San Rafael, California.

Background and approach

Her career began nearly three decades ago and has included work in independent practice, schools, family service agencies, and corporate settings. That range gives her a broad view of how family life and work life interact. Her approach blends several evidence-based methods.

She uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy to teach emotion regulation and distress tolerance. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps clients see how thoughts influence feelings and behavior. She also practices a client-centered, or Rogerian, stance, meeting people where they are and helping them build better communication and boundaries.

Dayna has experience with a wide range of concerns that affect families and parents, including anxiety, depression, grief, parenting stress, blended family issues, divorce and separation, postpartum challenges, and trauma. She often focuses on practical steps families can try between sessions. Parents get concrete tools for calming, coping, and clearer communication.

Outside of work she enjoys spending time outdoors and hiking, which she finds helps her stay grounded. Dayna’s style is calm, direct, and collaborative, aimed at helping people problem-solve and find workable changes for everyday family life.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and choose actions that match their values. It is useful for anxiety, stress, and life transitions where someone wants clearer direction. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and actions; it offers concrete exercises for changing thinking patterns that drive mood and behavior. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, EMDR, is a trauma-focused method that can reduce the intensity of painful memories and related reactions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, symptoms, and preferences. Together they choose or blend methods that fit the situation, checking in as progress is made. That collaborative process helps tailor sessions to parenting challenges, relationship issues, or mood concerns.

Online therapy provides flexible ways to meet by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions around parenting schedules and work obligations, and they allow ongoing check-ins between appointments. Licensed professionals can use these formats to teach skills, coach through difficult conversations, and track small changes over time.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Less about arguing with difficult thoughts, more about loosening their grip and acting on what matters to you anyway. Values and committed action carry the work, which suits conversation at a distance.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does she help with?

She works with a wide range of issues that affect families and parents, including stress, anxiety, relationship and family problems, grief, depression, addictions, trauma, parenting challenges, and postpartum concerns.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her style is collaborative and practical. She combines client-centered listening with skills-based methods to teach emotion regulation, thought reframing, and communication techniques.

How long has she been practicing?

She has 27 years of professional experience working in independent practice, schools, family service agencies, and corporate settings.

Where is she licensed and located?

She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California, holding CA LMFT 43282 and practicing in that state.

Which languages are sessions offered in?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available?

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging as ways to meet with clients.

How are fees and payment handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I start working with her?

Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Stress, Anxiety
Relationship issues
Family conflicts

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 27 years
Licensed: California
Languages: English

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