Dan Piñon, MA, LPCC
They/them/elle
My name is Dan (they/them/elle) and I am a gender queer, mixed, latine (Mexican), neurodivergent and disabled therapist. I have had the honor of working with a wide variety of ages, background and needs. This includes specific communities such as queer/trans folks, neurodiverse humans, disabled individuals, young/emerging adults, college students, BIPOC & multicultural identities, and trauma survivors. I serve adults, seniors, and youth over age 16, and also provide therapy for therapists.
Specialty areas of mine include complex grief, neurodivergence & masking, burnout, relational trauma, family of origin wounds, sexual health & relationships, somatic based practices, and identity exploration.
My therapy approach is integrative, trauma informed, queer affirming, kink inclusive, sex-positive, and anti-oppressive. I am trained in Brainspotting and primarily utilize this neurophysiological approach in my therapeutic work. I also incorporate tenets of brain science, somatic experiencing, sensorimotor psychotherapy, internal family systems, polyvagal theory, systems theory, and mindfulness into my practice. I care deeply for community and have seen first hand the power of relationships on healing. This includes being mindful of how my own power and privilege enter the therapy space and the impact our interactions. I welcome direct discussion of systematic/institutional racism, systems of oppressions at large, long term impacts of identity discrimination, and intergenerational trauma.
Outside of individual therapy, I also enjoy facilitating (& co facilitating) groups, engaging in clinical consultation and providing workshops or presentations for community education. I have over six years of experience in higher education/academic settings and have various experiences with program development and management. You will notice I also offer letter writing, of various types, all in efforts to increase accessibility to the services you know you need. Some personal things about me: I am an artist, a collector of the most random trinkets, a partner, a sibling, animal lover, tattoo enthusiast, and forever cloud gazer.
How do I know if we would be a good fit?
Individuals who are ready to dig deep and explore trauma (familial! relational! intergenetational!) both emotionally and somatically.
Queer, Trans and Gender Expansive Folks as well as neurodivergent humans seeking acceptance and developing an accommodating lifestyle that allows them to be their authentic self.
BIPOC and multicultural clients wanting a safe and relatable space to discuss the ways their intersecting identities interact with everyday life.
Individuals seeking out a safe and accepting space to discuss their sexual health, pleasure and kink based interests without fear of judgement or pathologization.
This is obviously a nuanced question and can be best determined during an interactive consultation call BUT I find I work really well with…
Individuals wanting a genuine relationship with their therapist and open to receiving suggestions or insights as they come up
Those challenged by people pleasing and perfectionistic lifestyles, who are searching for a more compassionate and acceptance way of living.
Individuals navigating disability and chronic illness (perhaps for the first time!) and wanting a safe space to relate to the difficulty that comes with being disabled in an ableist world.
Those practicing COVID precautions amidst the ongoing pandemic and searching for a therapist who relates, upholds disability justice values and can hold space for the immense grief
Communities of Care
LGBTQIA+ QTPOC
BIPOC & Multicultural Identities
Young & Emerging Adult
College Students
Neurodivergent Humans
Disabled & Chronic Pain Folks
Fellow therapists
Specialty Areas
Somatic based interventions
Sexual Health & Relationships
Gender Affirming Care & Transition Support
Neurodivergence and (Un)masking
Intergenerational Trauma & Family Wounds
Life Transitions & Identity
Complex Grief
Education Background
University of St Thomas- Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
Marquette University- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Certification & Training
Neurodivergent affirming provider training, with significant experience in accessible and accommodating lifestyle development.
Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist Intensive Training (2024)
EDSE Sexuality Professional Accelerator 2025
Brainspotting Training
Phase 1 (2024); Phase 2 (2024); Phase 3 (2025); Phase 4 (2026)
Integrating the Neuro-experiential Model for Rapid Trauma Healing w/ David Grand (2025)
I have countless hours of continuing educations units, trainings, consultation, supervision, and work experience outside of what is listed above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Getting your questions answered doesn’t have to be so intimidating!
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I typically work Wednesday-Sunday from 10am-6pm. If you reach out Monday-Tuesday, those are days I do not work and am highly protective of. I aim to respond to you the next workday of mine.
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My work is hybrid, with mostly online sessions (through a HIPPA compliant video platform) and limited in person sessions on Saturdays only.
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I do! Im currently in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield. I also offer private pay for those who do not have insurance or prefer to use their out of network benefits. You can learn more about these choices and get access to a script to use when calling insurance here.
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This will look differently based on insurance vs. private pay but you can anticipate the first session to be a chance for me to gain a better understanding of you and your goals for therapy. It will entail me asking a lot of questions and working to build trust and connection between us.
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I aim to make the therapy process as relaxing and connective as possible, even when were navigating uncomfortable topics. I think its important to show up as my most authentic self and encourage you to do the same- while knowing this is something that you’ll get more comfortable with in time. I do use evidence based interventions for our work AND I also think an integral part of what I bring to sessions is lived experience and relatability.
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I do a full break down of my rates here!
When I am able to, I do also offer sliding scale fees
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I do! Couples that would work best with me are those who are looking to improve communication, deepen and expand their intimacy, process and navigate life transitions, and understand how their neurodivergence is interacting with the dyanamic. I have experience working with those who are exploring or navigating polyamory and/or ethical non-monogamy, and my space is welcoming multiple partners (up to 3 people in the space).
Please note that my couples sessions are private pay only. You can read more about this here.
Alma Counseling Services
Dan Piñon, MA, LPCC | Minneapolis, MN, USA
services@almacounselingservices.org | 612-460-0676
Hours
By Appointment
Address
730 E 38th St, Minneapolis, MN 55407
I reside and practice on stolen land that belongs to the Anishanaabe and Dakota peoples. Learn more about this land and the land you live on. Please consider paying rent to the first stewards of this land here.
Quick Links
Alma Counseling Services is not a crisis service. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please use these resources