Name & PGP:
Elayne (Laynee) Daniels, AMFT, APCC
MA Counseling Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy concentration, University of San Francisco
Job Title:
Behavioral Health Clinician, Community Options for Youth (COY)
Behind the scenes fact about you:
I love music. I’m a musician myself, have spent years directing, teaching, and writing with others, and have been to over 100 concerts!
How would you describe your job to a friend?
I’m a therapist working with young people navigating complex challenges, including school issues, family stress, trauma, and involvement with the justice system. My role involves building trust and helping my clients in developing their own ways to move forward that actually make sense in the context of their lives.
Much of my work happens in schools and community settings, so it’s collaborative and grounded in the environments they’re already part of. At its core, my job is to be a consistent person in their corner who supports them in building a future they feel invested in.
Why is this work important to you?
This work matters to me because the young people I work with are often incredibly capable and resilient, but have had to navigate challenges and systems that many never see. Having even one consistent adult who hears them, respects them, and helps them navigate those systems can make a huge difference.
I try to use my position and access I have to advocate for them and reduce barriers wherever I can. I’m drawn to work that helps people reconnect with their own strengths and sense of possibility. When someone starts to believe their future can look different from their past, that’s incredibly powerful to witness.
Dreaming out Loud: If you were given unlimited funds to build out part of your program, what would you create and why?
Dreaming out loud, I would love to keep building a career that blends clinical work, creativity, and community impact. I am really interested in the intersection of mental health, creativity, and how groups of people connect and function, especially in community settings.
Long term, I hope to keep growing as a clinician while also contributing to research and advocacy that improve access to mental health care. I am drawn to creating environments, both therapeutic and creative, where people from different backgrounds can come together, feel seen, and build something meaningful.
