Danielle Sharkey of California Casual Psychotherapy sitting in a wooden window sill. She offers virtual therapy sessions.

Hi, I’m Danielle

In short: I became a therapist because I’ve been a client.

Over the last decade, I’ve sat with my therapist (your great-grand-therapist!) once a week for 50 minutes. 

I (reluctantly) went to therapy because shit hit the fan and I couldn’t do it on my own anymore. She welcomed my mess and stuck with me- even when my stubborn self took over and I stormed out of her office (a few times). Sometimes “doing the work” felt uncomfortable and overwhelming and change felt impossible and scary.

 At first, I really didn’t like myself. 

I was afraid of opening “Pandora’s Box” because I thought I couldn’t handle what was in there. My therapist reassured me that I could, helped me sort through it, and reminded me that I didn’t have to do it alone.

Life is full of paradoxes. 

Looking at the parts of myself I was afraid and ashamed of actually diminished their power instead of fueling it. As Allison would say, “what you resist will persist, and what you accept will transform.”
Things started to shift. I started holding myself accountable for my actions and choices. I started taking better care of myself and honoring my needs. I stopped dating shitty people and learned to be alone without being lonely. I feel safe showing up as myself in relationships.

I started to enjoy my life.

Don’t get me wrong- the struggle was real. Sometimes therapy felt like one step forward and two steps back. Healing isn’t linear, and it takes time. I’m still a flawed human, but I’m ok with that. I learned to work with my stuff instead of letting it work me.

Along the way, I grew to love the process of therapy. I believe in its healing and transformative properties. I pursued an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a graduate degree in Clinical Psychology. 

I’m still a client for 50 minutes each week, but now I’m a therapist, too.

I earned the letters and numbers after my name because of my education and training, but I know that my life experiences are as invaluable. I love that this career enables me to continue learning and evolving, and I value empirically-supported treatment (yay science). I also believe in the profoundly healing nature of the therapeutic relationship. I’m not a “blank-slate” therapist shrouded in mystery. I believe showing up as a human, first, goes a long way. 

I promise to embrace your mess- as mine once was- and go from there. I know what the other side of suffering feels like, and I can’t wait for you to feel it too.

Danielle Sharkey of California Virtual counseling sitting in a hammock on her porch in California.

Professional Associations:

  • California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists

  • Santa Barbara Chapter of California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists

  • Psychology Today

Certificates:

  • Psychological First Aid
    Santa Barbara Recovery Network

  • Narcan Training
    Santa Barbara County’s Department of Behavioral Wellness

My Life in Photos

  • An image of Danielle Sharkey, MA, AMFT practicing yoga on the beach.

    I've been practicing yoga for about 9 years. It is one of my favorite ways to move energy and reconnect with myself. Bonus if I get to practice outside.

  • An image of a 1970 VW Bus parked at a camp site.

    We have a 1970 VW Bus and love to camp. I love to unplug and bask in the simplicity of nature. This photo was taken Big Sur - one of my favorite spots!

  • An image of Danielle Sharkey's dog Poppins in a sweater.

    This is Poppins (not like Mary) and he is the light of my life. He has been to over 18 states and loves hiking, the beach and napping anywhere any time. You might hear him quietly grumble during sessions if it's near dinner time.

  • An image of Danielle Sharkey MA, AMFT as a child in a boat on the sand in Southern New Jersey with her parents.

    I grew up in a small beach town in Southern New Jersey. I love the beach - it has always been my happy place. I moved to Santa Barbara when I was 20 and adore living here.

  • An image of Danielle Sharkey and her close friend standing on top of a camper van while they traveled across the country.

    Summer 2020 my best friend and I lived in this camper while we traveled across the country. We visited 16 states and 14 national parks.

  • An image of a rainbow in Ireland from Danielle Sharkey's travels there in 2022.

    I'm 52% Irish and visited in 2022! While I was there I got to see the (very small) town my ancestors were from. Connecting with my roots ignited a passion for the history, culture, collective trauma, resilience and adaptability of the Irish people and their pride in the culture.

  • An image of a camper truck next to a Flea Market sign because Danielle Sharkey loves flea and vintage markets.

    I love flea/vintage markets, thrifting, and anything second-hand. I love finding pieces that speak to me and decorating my space with things that are full of character and memories.

  • An image of Danielle Sharkey and her partner on a boat.

    My now fiancé and I started dating in 2020, and at the time he was living on his boat. Two months into dating we both got Covid and had to quarantine on the boat. It was challenging but it showed us that we could be vulnerable with each other, lean on each other, and cultivate comfort and joy during life's rougher moments.