If you're looking for my free resources & coaching for parents of intense gifted & twice-exceptional (2e) kids, check out The Gifted Learning Lab.
About Dr. Danika Maddocks
My approach
As a consultant and therapist, I am collaborative, creative, and relational. I partner with families, educators, and other providers to understand their goals, build their confidence, and find a better fit between their needs and their supports. I create a unique relationship with each client.
People often seek out consultation or therapy because of stress and difficulties. I attend to these experiences and provide concrete strategies. At the same time, I am playful, humorous, and down-to-earth. With curiosity and compassion, I help clients re-connect with their strengths, resilience, and hope.
Education & training
I earned my PhD in school psychology from the University of Texas at Austin with an emphasis in child therapy, and I earned an MA in developmental psychology from San Francisco State University. I have additional training in giftedness and twice-exceptionality; neurodiversity-affirming approaches to therapy, parenting, and education; supporting autistic and PDA kids and teens; evidence-based treatments for anxiety; collaborative/therapeutic assessment; and psychodynamic therapy with youth and families. Before graduate school, I was a K-12 teacher and educational trainer for over 10 years.
Special interests
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Giftedness and twice exceptionality
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Gifted autistic and PDA kids and teens
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Neurodiversity-affirming therapy and parenting approaches
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Reducing anxiety for children, teens, and parents
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Working with children and teens who are reluctant to begin therapy
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Supporting queer, non-binary, gender expansive, and LGBTQ+ youth and families
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Helping parents feel calmer and more confident
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Collaborating with teachers and school personnel
About Better Fit Psychology & Consulting, LLC
Kids and teens thrive when there's a good fit between their needs, strengths, characteristics, and their environment.
I chose the name Better Fit Psychology & Consulting to highlight how healing it can be when kids and teens feel a better fit between themselves and their families, schools, and communities.
Finding a better fit sometimes requires more creativity and support for children with less-common needs, including those who are gifted and twice exceptional. I strive to help my clients find a better fit in every aspect of their lives -- a better fit between their intellect and their education; a better fit between their personality and their parenting; a better fit between their emotions and their coping strategies; a better fit between their social life and their strengths.
Contact
If you're a current client, you can access your secure portal here.
If you'd like to schedule a parent consultation meeting, you can do so here. If you're interested in working together for child or family therapy, please contact me via phone or email to schedule a time to chat, to see if we'd be a good fit.
Please note that I am only licensed to work with clients in Minnesota, and that all of my services are provided virtually.
If you live outside of Minnesota and would like to work with me, you may be interested in my work through The Gifted Learning Lab.
Phone: 612.712.3309
Fax: 612.500.4654
Email: drdanikamaddocks[at]betterfitpsychology[dot]com