Hi, I’m Danielle.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by how we work as humans—what drives us, how we cope, and the stories we carry. I’ve spent years observing the systems, behaviors, and expectations that shape our mental health, especially the ones that quietly erode it.
In the thick of motherhood and a fast-paced career, I began to feel what so many women feel but rarely say aloud: like I was slowly losing track of myself.
Motherhood changes everything.
But somewhere between the routines, responsibilities, and raising others, many of us forget to raise ourselves.
In 2020, with the world paused and our mental well-being pushed to the brink, I decided to go back to school to study Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I spent two years immersed in coursework and a year seeing clients in a clinical internship. It was deeply humbling, healing, and clarifying.
That journey—of beginning again—sparked The 40-Year-Old Intern.
It’s a space for moms asking the quiet, brave questions:
Who am I now? What do I want next?
Whether you're in the middle of a career shift, a season of burnout, or a quiet craving for clarity, you're not alone.
This is your place to reflect, reset, and rebuild—with tools and stories that meet you exactly where you are.
You don’t need a five-year plan.
You just need a moment.
A moment to ask better questions—and the permission to start fresh.
More About Me
I currently work as a marketing leader, where I’ve spent the last 15+ years building brands, leading teams, and connecting strategy to human stories across industries. I also hold an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, an LLPC in Michigan, and an M.A. in Writing and Publishing.
The thread that ties it all together? A deep curiosity about how people work—how we grow, cope, connect, and make meaning of our lives.
The 40-Year-Old Intern is a passion project born from that curiosity. It’s where my work as a strategist, therapist, and mother collide—a space to rethink mental health, talk about the identity shifts no one prepares us for, and remind each other that starting over is never too late.
Through honest conversations, stories, and tools, I hope to create something that feels supportive, useful, and a little bit brave.
Outside of work, I’m a lover of thrillers, spontaneous adventures, and Sunday football (Go Lions!). I spend most of my free time with my family—laughing, exploring, and finding small pockets of joy wherever we can. Mountains, lakes, and true crime shows are my kind of therapy.