about me

It is my deeply held belief that every person has the right to live by their own code, as long as they are not harming themselves, or anyone else, by their actions. We are responsible to ourselves, and to each other. The role of a social worker is to support people in their times of challenge, and help them find their strengths, whatever they may be. We are not here to “fix” people, or their lives, but to act as a guide, helping people create change so they can live the life they want.

While I have always enjoyed working with the public in a service capacity, I chose to pursue a degree in social work because I wanted to take a more meaningful approach. Rather than occasionally providing guidance and care to people by being in the right place at the right time, I wanted to become a resource for others, with the training to truly support them in a time of need. I specialize in working with the queer community—and especially with transgender folks—helping others to navigate the challenges they face in relating with others day-to-day. I am also committed to working with the Latin American immigrant population locally and throughout the State of Illinois, assisting not only with mental health or social concerns, but also connecting them with resources as needed for navigating the United States immigration system.

Photo by Studio Elevn Elevn

Daniel is an Illinois native who made a career switch to Social Work after two decades in the retail and restaurant industries. His interests include writing, paganism, LGBTQ+ activism, social justice, science fiction and fantasy, strong coffee, and bad puns. He lives in Champaign with his husband, partner, cat, turtle, and several hundred books.

Daniel is a Licensed Social Worker with a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Social Work from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and an Associate in Arts with a focus on social sciences from Parkland College. He uses an eclectic strengths-based, person-centered approach including CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Mindfulness-Based methods, and EMDR.

He specializes in working with transgender and gender-non-conforming clients, has been a member of WPATH since 2023, and will write Letters of Support for gender confirming procedures with established clients.  Additionally, he has completed Level 1 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and uses Gottman Method Couples Therapy in his work. Daniel also works with non-monogamous relationships, both with individuals and relationship groups.

He currently offers mental health counseling services at Evergreen Coaching & Counseling in Champaign. If you are interested in learning more or scheduling a consultation, visit him on Psychology Today.

experience

Evergreen Coaching & Counseling, Champaign, IL – Dec 2020-Present

  • Associate Counselor – Aug 2024-Present
  • MSW Intern – May 2024-Aug 2024
  • Academic & Professional Coach – Jan 2022-May 2024
  • Director of Operations – May 2023-May 2024
  • BSW Intern Jan 2023-May 2023
  • Office Manager – Jul 2021-May 2023
  • Office Assistant – Dec 2020-Jul 2021

Big Grove Tavern, Champaign, IL – Jun 2015-Dec 2022

  • Special Project Coordinator – Jan 2021-Dec 2022
  • Server – Jul 2019-Jan 2021
  • Assistant Manager – Feb 2016-Jul 2019
  • Server – Jun 2015-Feb 2016

education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign – Master of Social Work, August 2024
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign – Bachelor of Social Work, May 2023
Parkland College, Champaign, Illinois – A.A., Social Work, with honors, May 2021

publications

Piasecki, M., Robles, M., Sheff, D., & Wegmann, K. (2022). Policies determining access to gender affirming care for Illinois residents. Journal of Undergraduate Social Work Research, 6(2), 103-125. https://ugresearchjournals.illinois.edu/index.php/juswr/article/view/855/739

training & certifications

Licensed Social Worker – lic. 150.114101, exp. 11/30/2027
EMDR Basic Training – May 2025
Mental Health First Aid (Adult) – April 2023
CITI Course in the Protection of Human Subjects – September 2021
DCFS Mandated Reporter Training – October 2022