Dr. Dana McNeil, PsyD, LMFT

01/10/2026

01/10/2026

Sometimes the most regulating thing you can do
is sit down…
take a breath…
and let the dog keep you company.

This is Windsor, my unofficial co-therapist, expert napper, and daily reminder that rest is productive too.

Before we dive back into deeper conversations, consider this your permission slip to slow down for a moment. No insight required. No fixing. Just presence.

01/08/2026

01/01/2026

If the holidays feel lonely, here’s what I want you to remember.

This season stirs up grief, nostalgia, comparison, and emotional exhaustion. Your nervous system is carrying more than usual, even if you appear “fine.”

You’re allowed to step back from the noise.
You’re allowed to create your own rituals.
You’re allowed to choose quiet over overwhelm.

And when loneliness shows up, meet it with compassion rather than judgment.
Place a hand over your heart.
Take a breath that belongs only to you.
Turn toward yourself the way you wish someone else would.

Self-soothing isn’t giving up- it’s emotional wisdom.
It’s how your body remembers: “I’m here. I’ve got you.”

You’re not behind.
You’re not broken.
You’re human.

Repost this for everyone who might need a softer new years celebration this year.



self-care, winter depression support, emotional awareness, Gottman-informed tools

12/30/2025

I may not be your therapist, but I am a therapist
so let me tell you something you may need to hear, and I’ll say it gently…

Closeness requires being seen, especially when you’re hurting.

True intimacy doesn’t happen in the easy moments.
It happens when:
your voice softens, your eyes fill, you reach out without knowing how to ask.
And the person you love actually pauses.
Leans in.
And says, “What’s happening for you right now?”

That’s attunement- the heart of emotional connection.

You don’t need perfect responses.
You need presence, warmth, and someone who meets your pain with care.

You deserve to feel truly seen.

12/23/2025

Gray divorce surprises a lot of people but it’s more common than you realize…. and it’s rarely sudden.

It often reflects emotional disconnection that slowly grew over years or decades. And navigating it brings a mix of grief, relief, fear, and uncertainty.

If you’re walking through this transition, here’s what I want you to know:
You don’t have to do it alone.

My extensive work with clients trying to avoid gray divorce includes exploring what led to the disconnect, clarifying needs and desires, strengthening communication if repair is possible, and supporting identity rebuilding if separation is the next chapter.

It’s a painful season — but it can also be a turning point toward a more intentional future.

📲 Reach out if you’re ready for guidance through this season.



gray divorce, long-term marriage, emotional distance, therapy support, identity rebuilding

12/17/2025

When you get married, you create a new family- even if it’s just the two of you.

And that means you’re allowed to shape your holidays in ways that honor your partnership.

You can set boundaries.
You can split time differently.
You can create new traditions that feel meaningful and sustainable.

It isn’t rejection of your families- it’s honoring the home you’re building together.

What traditions are you creating this year?



12/11/2025