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ICF Psychological Services

Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Athena Dacanay, Licensed Psychologist

MY STORY

As someone whose own path has been shaped by unexpected turns, reinvention, and lifelong learning, I understand that growth rarely follows a straight line.

My journey into psychology was anything but traditional. After earning a degree in Biology and initially pursuing medicine, I realized that my calling lay elsewhere. What followed was a path of exploration, from studying Family Life and Child Development at the University of the Philippines to working in an International Baccalaureate school, where I witnessed the profound impact that emotional support, understanding, and individualized care can have on a child’s ability to flourish.

Those experiences ultimately led me to earn a PhD in Educational Psychology with a counseling focus at Ball State University. Along the way, I discovered that what inspires me most is helping people make sense of their experiences, heal from life’s challenges, and move toward a life aligned with their values. Today, I bring that same curiosity, compassion, and belief in human resilience into every aspect of my work.

OCD + anxiety careGottman couples therapyPsychological evaluationsClinician workshopsFilipino & Tagalog community
Explore My Story

01

Why This Work Matters

I believe therapy takes courage. It asks us to be vulnerable, accountable, curious, and willing to both learn and unlearn. It invites us to slow down in a fast-moving world and engage in the often quiet, sometimes difficult, but deeply meaningful work of growth.

One of the greatest privileges of my work is witnessing the bravery it requires for people to engage honestly with themselves and embrace the possibility of change. The beauty of therapy is that, over time, my role evolves. Sometimes that means stepping back as clients carry what we’ve developed together into their everyday lives, and sometimes it means continuing to walk alongside them through new seasons of growth. Either way, it is a privilege to witness people develop a deeper trust in themselves and their capacity to navigate life with increased confidence and self-compassion.

02

My Approach

I provide evidence-based care that considers not only the individual, but also the relationships, experiences, and systems that shape their life. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, I work collaboratively with clients to understand their values, strengths, goals, and the broader contexts that influence their well-being.

Whether you’re navigating anxiety, OCD, relationship challenges, life transitions, or personal growth, my goal is to help you cultivate greater insight, resilience, and self-understanding. I believe meaningful change happens when we create space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most.

03

Who I Work With

I provide therapy for:

Individuals ages 8 and up, including children, adolescents, adults, and older adults.

Couples seeking to strengthen communication, connection, trust, and intimacy.

Families working to navigate challenges, improve relationships, and build greater understanding.

Whether you’re facing anxiety, OCD, relationship difficulties, life transitions, identity concerns, or simply seeking personal growth, my goal is to provide a supportive, collaborative space where meaningful change can occur.

04

An Invitation

If you’re looking for a psychologist who will see the whole person, not just the struggle, but also the strength, wisdom, and potential that exist alongside it, I would be honored to walk alongside you.

Outside the office

A little more about Dr. Athena Dacanay

When I'm not working with clients, you'll usually find me solving puzzles, planning my next adventure, enjoying a Broadway show, or spending time with my husband and our four dogs.

Dr. Athena Dacanay with her dog outdoors

Training and professional identity

Credentials

01

Licensure

Licensed in NC and IL

02

PSYPACT

Holds an active Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) from the PSYPACT Commission

03

ERP

ERP trained through BTTI

04

SPACE Treatment

SPACE Treatment trained by Dr. Eli Lebowitz

05

Gottman Method

Gottman Method - Level 3 trained

06

Professional memberships

IOCDF, OCD NC, WNCPA, and NCPA member

The practice in detail

Professional information

A closer look at the education, training, people Athena works with, and evidence-based approaches that shape care.

  • PhD in Educational Psychology

    Ball State University

  • Master of Family Life and Child Development

    University of the Philippines, Diliman

  • ERP training through BTTI

  • S.P.A.C.E. trained by Dr. Eli Lebowitz

  • Gottman Method Level 3 Trained

  • Licensed Psychologist in North Carolina and Illinois

  • Active PSYPACT APIT authorization

  • Member: IOCDF, OCD North Carolina, WNCPA, and NCPA

OCD · Anxiety · Relationship Issues · Psychological Evaluations

Adults — often educated or working in professional settings, many with families — frequently seeking therapy during transitions such as new work, raising children, loss, or adjusting to new roles, or seeking to learn better ways to cope with difficult or even traumatic experiences. Couples and parents are welcome. You do not need a diagnosis or crisis to begin.

My therapeutic approach is grounded primarily in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), with specialized training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). I also incorporate Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) Treatment, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to meet each client's unique needs.

The practice

About ICF Psychological Services

At ICF Psychological Services, we believe that meaningful change happens when we see the whole person, not just a diagnosis, symptom, or moment of struggle.

Our approach is grounded in the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF), which recognizes that well-being is shaped not only by the individual, but also by the relationships, environments, experiences, and systems that influence our lives. Our name reflects this belief: people do not exist in isolation, and neither do the challenges and strengths they carry.

We help individuals, couples, and families get unstuck through compassionate, personalized, and evidence-based care. Rather than focusing solely on what's wrong, we seek to understand what matters: your values, strengths, relationships, goals, and the contexts that shape your experience.

Whether you're navigating anxiety, OCD, relationship challenges, life transitions, or personal growth, our goal is to help you develop greater resilience, flexibility, and self-understanding so you can move toward a life that feels more connected, authentic, and meaningful.

We don't believe people are problems to be fixed. We believe they are human beings with stories to understand, strengths to uncover, and lives worth fully living.

The whole person

Why ICF?

We see the whole person, not just a diagnosis, symptom, or moment of struggle.

Inspired by the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), our practice recognizes that well-being is shaped by the interaction between individuals and the relationships, environments, experiences, and systems that surround them.

One person, many connected parts. That's why care may include more than one kind of support.

Explore Why We're Called ICF

You

Meaningful change starts with understanding the whole picture.

Explore therapy and OCD care

Named for the WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

Community & cultureIdentity · environment · shared experiencesSchool & workLearning · daily lifeFamilyCare · belongingRelationshipsConnectionYou

You at the center. Select a layer to explore the wider picture.

Mission · Values · Vision

What Guides our Work

Mission

What We’re Here to Do

Our goal is to help you cultivate greater resilience, flexibility, and self-understanding so that you can move toward a life that feels more connected, authentic, and meaningful.

Values

What We Stand For

Vision

Where We’re Headed

We envision a world where support for mental health and relationship health is embraced as an essential part of everyday well-being, and where OCD is understood and treated effectively.

In Person or Online

ICF Psychological Services office detail from Dr. Athena Dacanay’s supplied photo set
Dr. Athena Dacanay office interior with comfortable seating and soft lighting
Wide view of the Dr. Athena Dacanay therapy office with seating and natural light

Office Location

ICF Psychological Services 1095 Hendersonville Road, Suite A-4 Asheville, NC 28803

Our Asheville office is a thoughtfully designed space for focused conversation, reflection, and meaningful work. If you prefer to meet remotely, telehealth appointments are available through HIPAA-compliant video platforms, including Zoom and SimplePractice, allowing you to connect from wherever works best for you.

Wondering whether this approach is right for you?

Explore the services or start with a complimentary 15-minute consultation.

Explore servicesComplimentary Consultation