My Story

Hi, I’m Dr. Athena Dacanay—a licensed psychologist, lifelong learner, and firm believer that progress rarely follows a straight line.

My path into psychology wasn’t traditional, but it’s shaped how I show up for my clients today. I began with a B.S. in Biology, originally planning to become a medical doctor. Over time, I realized that path wasn’t the right fit, and I decided to explore other careers that aligned more closely with my evolving interests and values. That exploration led me to pursue a Master’s in Family Life and Child Development at the University of the Philippines, with dreams of opening an early childhood learning center.

I took another detour when I was offered the opportunity to work at an IB International School. I spent four meaningful years as a K–2 teaching assistant, where I saw firsthand how academic accommodations and emotional connection could transform a child’s ability to thrive. While I loved working with children, I began to realize that classroom teaching wasn’t my lifelong path. I wanted to keep supporting kids—but from a different angle. That led to the next turning point: I pursued a PhD in Educational Psychology with a counseling focus at Ball State University, where I could deepen my understanding and expand my capacity to serve not only children, but individuals across the lifespan.

Being part of the global majority and shaped by both Western psychology and a collectivist, interdependent cultural lens, I honor the wisdom of relationships, community, and context. Therapy, to me, is courageous work. It asks us to be vulnerable, to hold ourselves accountable, to stay open to learning—and just as importantly, to unlearning. It invites stillness in a world that rushes, and calls for the quiet diligence of showing up, even when it’s hard.

I’m drawn to the bittersweet beauty of growth—when my role gently fades, not because I’m absent, but because you’ve carried our work into your world.

In the pause between holding space for others, I recharge through puzzles, travel, Broadway shows, and quiet moments with my husband and our four beloved dogs.

If you’re looking to work with someone who sees the full you—struggles, strengths, and everything in between—I’m here to walk alongside you. I’m curious to see where our synergy might lead.

psypact

Member

PCIT

Certification Track

OCD

ERP training through BTTI

S.P.A.C.E. trained

GOTTMAN METHOD

Level 3 Trained

1/1

About ICF Psychological Services

We believe effective therapy begins with seeing the whole person—not just a diagnosis or a set of symptoms. Our holistic, systemic approach is rooted in the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF), which recognizes that human well-being is shaped by physical, psychological, social, and environmental factors. Our name reflects this commitment: we honor the full context of each client’s life.

We help individuals, couples, and families get unstuck through evidence-based practices tailored to their unique needs. By integrating emotional, physical, psychological, and relational well-being, we create personalized treatment plans that foster resilience, growth, and sustainable change.

We understand that change can happen in isolation—but lasting, meaningful change takes root when we consider the broader systems that shape a person’s experience. Relationships, culture, environment, and community all play a role in how we evolve, grow, and thrive. That’s why we approach each client with curiosity, compassion, and a deep respect for the interconnected layers of their life.

See Our Services

what we stand for

We provide evidence-based care that sees each person not in isolation, but as part of a living system—shaped by relationships, culture, environment, and history.

We nurture resilience and growth by honoring the individual, the systems they move within, and the dynamic interplay between inner being and outer world.

Rooted in the belief that transformation is not merely personal—but relational, contextual, and deeply human—we meet people where they are and walk with them toward who they’re becoming.

where we are headed

To champion mental health as everyday care—and honor the healing bond between humans and animals through models rooted in dignity, depth, and connection.

We envision a world where individuals, couples, and families seek psychological care as readily and proudly as they do physical health—where mental fitness, emotional maintenance, and relational well-being are embraced as everyday acts of care.

We believe that integrating animals into mental health is a meaningful and impactful approach, offering profound benefits to both human and animal well-being. For many, pets are more than companions—they’re family.

In this world, animal-assisted therapy is a respected and accessible option. The broader ecosystem of animal-related care is met with equal compassion—including support for veterinary professionals, grief and bereavement tied to animal loss, and recognition of the critical link between human and animal violence.