Hi! I’m Dr. Dannel Petgrave
I'm a licensed psychologist and founder of A Place to Talk Counseling, a private practice providing confidential online therapy for Ohio's medical students, residents, fellows, attending physicians, and their partners.
I’ve worked closely with medical students, residents, fellows, and attending physicians throughout my career as a primary care psychologist. These experiences gave me a firsthand appreciation for the culture of medicine—the long hours, constant evaluations, high expectations, emotional demands, and the challenge of caring for yourself while caring for others.
I've also seen how concerns about confidentiality, stigma, licensing, and career advancement can make it difficult to seek support. That's one reason I intentionally built an independent private practice where clients can focus on their mental health outside the institutions where they learn and work.
On a personal level, I'm also a MedSpouse. I've supported my wife throughout her journey from pre-medical student to attending physician. That experience has given me another personal perspective on the sacrifices, transitions, uncertainty, and relationship challenges that often accompany a career in medicine—not only for physicians themselves, but also for those closest to them.
Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, playing the saxophone, reading, spending time with my family, and exploring new hobbies. The values that guide my work include growth, curiosity, humor, adventure, freedom, and self-care.
I believe everyone deserves a place where they can speak openly, be understood, and receive compassionate, high-quality mental health care.
My Therapeutic Style
I believe therapy works best when it's collaborative, practical, and tailored to your goals. Together, we'll better understand the challenges you're facing, clarify what matters most to you, and develop practical skills to help you move toward the life you want to build.
My primary therapeutic approach is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), an evidence-based form of therapy that helps people develop a healthier relationship with difficult thoughts, emotions, and life experiences. Rather than trying to eliminate difficult thoughts and emotions, ACT teaches practical skills for responding to them more effectively so they have less influence over your choices.
During our first appointment, I'll take time to understand your background, your current concerns, and what you hope to gain from therapy. Together, we'll identify what's most important to you, create a treatment plan, and outline practical next steps. As therapy progresses, we'll regularly review what's working and adjust our approach as needed.
I also believe therapy should extend beyond our conversations. Whenever appropriate, I'll encourage you to practice skills between sessions so you can apply what you're learning to your everyday life. Between sessions, I may encourage you to practice new skills or reflect on what you're learning so you can begin applying therapy to everyday life. These experiences often play an important role in creating lasting change.
Ultimately, my goal is to help you become your own best resource so you can navigate life's challenges with greater confidence and flexibility.