Take Authorship of Your Life.

A unique blend of modalities that help you untangle self-sabotaging stories, uncover hidden character strengths, and unlock a new narrative for healing and growth.

Take Authorship of Your Life.

A unique blend of modalities that help you untangle self-sabotaging stories, uncover hidden character strengths, and unlock a new narrative for healing and growth.

Ways to Engage With My Work

Work With Me

Personalized one-on-one sessions designed to help you uncover patterns, process emotions, and move toward the life you want to live.

Read My Essays

Thoughtful reflections on identity, change, and the quiet moments that shape who we become, written with honesty and insight.

Watch on TikTok

Short, meaningful videos that blend storytelling and psychology to inspire growth, self-awareness, and gentle humor.

What Is Navigational Narratives?

Navigational Narratives is a space for people ready to re-examine the stories they’ve been living by, and begin rewriting the ones that no longer serve them. Founded by psychotherapist Dana Schmalenberg, it combines narrative therapy, creative insight, and grounded tools to help you move from confusion to clarity, and create a life that finally feels like your own.

HI, I’M DANA

After 20 years of professional screenwriting, I decided to become a psychotherapist. I returned to graduate school and received a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health. I possess a unique combination of skills that can help you identify the "life scripts" you've created that may not be working for you and teach you how to "rewrite and rewire" them to take authorship of your life.

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