About Me
dr. danyelle beal
Servant Leader - Clinical Psychologist - Behavior Analyst
My Past
From Trauma to Triumph
I have always seen myself as a little bird with a broken wing— a product of a broken and unstable family with trauma that followed me well into my adulthood. I grew up believing that the color of my skin was shameful. I grew up believing that I was the product of my dysfunctional environment, and I grew up trying to prove that I wasn't what happened to me as a child. I share my story to inspire you, even though I still have difficulty talking about it.
I was born to a teenager mother who was in a jail cell.
I am a survivor of sexual abuse and neglect and was in the foster care system for a large portion of my childhood where I endured more abuse.
When my mother passed away, I adopted my little brother. Shortly after, I gave birth to my own daughter and struggled to care for two young children.
I was clinically depressed and did not want to live.
I didn’t think I could live a successful and fulfilling life.
Everyday I still have to remind myself of who I really am, and the life I want to live.
This has driven me to become a leader in my profession, a voice of healing, a successful business owner, best-selling author, conference speaker, podcast host, loving wife, mother, and woman of God.
My Experience
In the late 90’s, I replied to a job listing to work with a child with autism. I had never even heard of autism. I showed up for my first day, very pregnant, and the child was already in crisis. He ran out of the house and I chased him down a busy street. At the end of the session, I was told I had what it took for the position and was hired. After a couple weeks, I fell in love with the work, the family, and the impact I was making.
That fateful day led me down the path to of healing which eventually led me to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a Clinical Psychologist.
I own and operate a non-public agency named, Loving Hands Family Support Services, LLC that provides support to children, adults and families with behavioral needs.
For over 2 decades, I’ve supervised direct care staff, school staff, behavior technicians, teachers, administrators and BCBAs.
I teach behavior analysis courses to graduate students at multiple universities.
I’ve shared my skills and my heartwork with organizations to support marginalized and underrepresented identities while providing therapeutic support and trauma reduction.
I continue to work passionately and persistently to support, teach, and elevate others.
I look forward to each day and the next opportunity to encourage someone to change the world around them, together.
My Education
Psy.D
Clinical Psychology
Dissertation: The Effects of Trauma and Resiliency in Black American Women
Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Irvine, CA - 2021
Masters of Teaching
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Studies with an emphasis in Applied Behavioral Analysis
National University, San Diego, CA - 2011
Bachelor of Arts
Family and Consumer Sciences with an emphasis in Child Development/Psychology
California State University, Long Beach, CA - 2007
Certifications & Memberships
Certifications
Board Certified Behavior Analyst: BCBA #1-14-10166, 2014
Domestic, Sexual and Child Abuse Training: 2020
Certification in American Sign Language Interpreting, 2007
Memberships
California Association for Behavior Analysis – Professional Standards Committee
Black Applied Behavior Analysts – Vice President
TCSPP: Black Student Union – Secretary
What People Are Saying
“Hearing your story was powerful! I related to your struggle as a single parent. I watched you in awe as you navigated parenting, going to school and holding down a full time job. I hadn’t known all of your story, especially about your mom. Things really stacked up against you and you were able to overcome it all. Your story is a true inspiration to anyone who hears it!”
— PG
Want to know more?
Visit my Media page to find links to podcasts and the book I co-authored, where I deeply share my trauma and my triumphs.
