Danielle Vanaman joined Stanford Sierra Youth & Families in 2022 as Director of the Nevada County Family Preservation program. After several years in that role, she became the Executive Director of Programs for Nevada, Yolo, and Napa counties, where she brings a passion for developing mental health programs that are deeply embedded within the rural communities they serve, and building teams that center joy and resilience amidst the challenges this work can present.

Prior to joining SSYAF, Danielle served as Program Director of a school-based Counseling Enriched Classroom program that worked to ensure special-education students received the mental health support needed for them to succeed on mainstream public-school campuses. She also spent several years leading a TBS team that served some of the highest-risk youth throughout Alameda County.

Danielle is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 20 years of experience across residential, community-based, and school-based settings, all focused on empowering youth and families with the tools and support they need to successfully navigate their most challenging moments and circumstances. In addition to her Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy, Danielle also holds a Master of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and English. She is also certified and trained in several therapy modalities, including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, TEAM-CBT, and DBT.

Danielle is dedicated to addressing barriers to equity and inclusion in the systems that support youth and families, and she is passionate about elevating family voice and choice. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and paddling in the many beautiful trails, lakes, and rivers around Nevada County. Most weekends, you’ll find her supporting her two children at their numerous swimming and gymnastics competitions.