Athena Dacanay, PhD
Licensed Psychologist
Licensed psychologist providing specialized OCD and anxiety care, Gottman couples therapy, psychological evaluations, and workshops.
View profileCouples Intensives
Where is your relationship right now?
Relationship intensives offers a proactive space for couples who want guidance, structure, and tools to support the relationship they are building. It's not therapy—it's a time-bound, skills-based experience designed to help you grow together with intention.
01 / 06premaritalRevealBefore you say “I do,” take time to say “we do”—to growth, clarity, and connection.Explore Reveal02 / 06couples + enhancementRefineThink of it like getting an oil change—not because something’s wrong, but because you care about the road ahead.Explore Refine03 / 06couples + conflictRepairConflict doesn’t mean your relationship is broken—it means you’re human.Explore Repair04 / 06couples + addictive disordersRecoverSome storms leave behind broken branches. Others leave roots exposed.Explore Recover05 / 06couples + affairsRebuildWhen trust is broken, it’s not just the bond that shatters—it’s the sense of reality, safety, and shared meaning that held it together.Explore Rebuild06 / 06couples + disconnectionRekindleYou share a calendar, a mortgage, a rhythm. But somewhere along the way, you stopped sharing yourself.Explore Rekindle
A private workshop with heart
Psychoeducation and skill-building—not therapy.
Think of it as a private workshop—just you, your partner, and a clinician guiding you through practical tools, meaningful conversations, and real-time practice. It's psychoeducation with heart, tailored to your relationship goals.
The relationship lens
Informed by the Gottman Method
The stages are a teaching and organizing framework for intensive conversations. They are informed by Gottman relationship work and are not a fixed treatment protocol or six-session program.
If you are looking for clinical couples therapy, visit Gottman Couples Therapy. If you are looking for a structured assessment, visit Evaluations.
Clinician
Meet the Team
ICF Psychological Services provides specialized care with Dr. Athena Dacanay.
Meet Dr. Athena Dacanay
Dr. Athena Dacanay
Licensed Psychologist
10+ years in practice
I aim to foster emotional and intellectual safety—where you feel seen, heard, and gently challenged. I’m collaborative, quietly Socratic, and adaptive, shifting my approach to meet your evolving needs. I work with adults, couples, and families navigating OCD and anxiety, relationship concerns, life transitions, and questions that may call for psychological evaluation. Together, we consider the whole person—not only symptoms, but also the relationships, experiences, strengths, and settings that shape daily life.
I hold a PhD in Educational Psychology from Ball State University and a Master of Family Life and Child Development from the University of the Philippines, Diliman. I am licensed as a psychologist in North Carolina and Illinois, with active PSYPACT APIT authorization. My clinical training includes ERP through the IOCDF Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI), S.P.A.C.E. with Dr. Eli Lebowitz, and Gottman Method Level 3 training.
I offer in-person care in Asheville and telehealth across North Carolina and participating PSYPACT states.
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.
In Person or Online
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
You don't have to choose alone.
A complimentary consultation is a place to share what is bringing you here and ask about fit, format, and next steps.
Complimentary Consultation