We had the good fortune of connecting with Deana Panza and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Deana, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
Therapy is not just for when something feels wrong or off. It’s not just for when something big, bad and scary has happened. Therapy is an awesome tool for personal growth even if we’re feeling great. If things have been going great lately that’s awesome, let’s figure out why and build off of that to figure out how to make it last. Let’s also celebrate how great things have been.

What should our readers know about your business?
What sets me apart from other therapists is how much I center the client’s actual experience. I don’t go into our first or third session with a plan, I sit with you where you’re at that day and we work together to get you feeling how you want to feel. I know that every client is completely different and what works for one might not work for another – and I think that’s really cool. I truly want to learn about my clients and why they gravitate towards certain things and how we can get them where they want to go by pulling all of the pieces together. I know I don’t have all of the answers but I love helping people find those answers inside of themselves.

Getting here wasn’t easy, but it was totally worth it. Going to grad school while working multiple jobs, trying to plan a wedding, and still maintain relationships in my life was a huge challenge for many years. Reminding myself that none of it was permanent was massively important to getting through a lot of my days. Looking back at it I’m in awe of what I was able to accomplish but it wasn’t without its pitfalls. I also hit a deep level of burnout that put me out of commission for a few weeks and really did a number on my mental health. I believe that the experience truly helped me become the therapist that I am today and deeply informed the way that I wanted to work with my clients.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The Beacon has been one of my favorite spots lately. Between the outdoor dining, breweries, and other random and unique spots they have there it’s always a good time. Another new favorite of mine is FishMonger – it’s so delicious. But, one of my favorite activities for years has been to start at Krog Street Market and eat my way down the beltline to Ponce City Market and back. So many great spots to hit there and one of my favorite Atlanta sunset spots.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family. My parents and my husband have always been pushing me to explore my interests and given me the opportunity to feel confident when I didn’t and to trust myself through the process. Their support afforded me the opportunity to move into this field and find success in my own way and at my own pace. I could not have done this without them.

Website: http://deanapanza.com

Instagram: @deanapanza

Twitter: @deanapanza

Other: TikTok: @deanapanza

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