Dr. Donna Dannenfelser has been a psychotherapist, certified hypnotist and dream analyst for the past 20 years.  In the beginning she specialized in women’s issues touring the New York Tri-State area giving motivational workshops on surviving divorce and separation, parenting issues, substance abuse, physical and verbal abuse, the “coming out’” for people who choose to live alternate life-styles, and coping strategies for survivors of tragic experiences.  After a short time, Donna found herself as the mental health clinician for the New York Jets, and began specializing in men’s issues as it pertained to high-profiled professional athletes (including their wives and families).  Her clientele extended to professional athletes from other arenas including baseball, basketball, hockey, boxing, and golf, along with women’s sports such as body building, skating and wrestling.  As one would imagine, everybody has a friend in trouble, and eventually her clientele list included actors, CEO’s of corporations, and political personalities. These experiences opened the door to radio and cable network shows where Donna was the guest speaker regarding Couples Counseling, Parenting Issues, Dream Analysis, Hypnosis, Psychic Phenomena and the Power of Positive Self Talk.  In addition, she has served as a professor of Counselor Education at New York Institute of Technology and taught in the graduate program at SUNY Stony Brook.  Donna has also served as the Director of Counseling in the New York Public School System.  Along with being quoted in several magazines regarding marital issues and parenting challenges, Donna has a published dissertation on file at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C., entitled “Common Elements Among Successful People Who Are High School Dropouts.”  This was a research project she conducted challenging our current educational system on how it does not meet the needs of all children.  The subjects of her study included high school dropouts who had become extremely successful in spite of the fact that they did not have a high school degree.

         As time moved on, Donna’s vision for her future focused on moving to Southern California and developing a TV series inspired by her life as a Psychotherapist.  In 2006, synchronistic events presented themselves and Donna found herself living in Southern California continuing her private practice, motivational workshops, and university teachings.  Currently, after four years of staying focused on her dream,  USA Network, in colaboration with SONY Pictures Television, have produced a TV series about a female therapist who works with professional athletes and high profiled clients entitled, "Necessary Roughness." Donna is the Co-Executive Producer on this series which premiered June 29, 2011. The series continues on USA Network every Wednesday at 10:00 PM. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Donna Dannenfelser, Ed.D.  

 

         Don’t forget to read my blog as every month I will focus on different issues and challenges we all face in today’s world.  It is my honor to enter your world, I hope you enjoy mine.”

 

         Follow me on Twitter @TheDr_Donna