Deanna Tesch, MS, LMFTA

Deanna Tesch is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate who holds a Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University. Through her time working as a support specialist, working with the foster system, and working in higher education teaching chemistry, Deanna has gained experience working with individuals in all stages of life with various traumas, disabilities, and conditions (including anxiety, depression, and life adjustments). While working with ACI Support Specialists, Deanna provided in-home and community-based services to individuals with Autism, Down syndrome, and other forms of neurodivergence. She supported clients in developing practical, goal-oriented skills such as independent living (e.g., cooking, dressing), communication, decision-making, coping, socialization, and academic growth. Deanna currently practices EMDR, Parent Coaching, Collaborative, Experiential, Structural, Intergenerational, CBT, and DBT methods of therapy for individuals, couples, families, and groups at Acacia’s Cary, Durham, and virtual locations. She also offers EMDR intensives one Saturday per month.

Deanna takes an overall collaborative approach to therapy as she believes each individual is unique in how they see and interact with the world. Through genuine listening and curiosity, Deanna helps clients broaden their perspectives to think about things in different, change-promoting ways. As Marriage and Family Therapy adopts a systemic lens, Deanna will help her clients discover the patterns and cycles that may be holding them back, and/or help them to better understand their role in the larger systems they interact with. This new perspective or understanding can lead to the implementation of positive change, not only in the individual’s life, but for the whole system!

Deanna welcomes clients age 5+ of any ethnicity, ability, gender, sexual orientation and religion and will do her best to ensure therapy is a positive, yet challenging experience for everyone. She really enjoys helping individuals discover and learn to act true to their authentic selves, while equally enjoying helping families navigate different mental, physical, relational, emotional, and parenting struggles, utilizing research-based and trauma-informed practices. Deanna accepts the State Health Plan and most BCBS and Aetna plans for individuals. Because insurance does not cover traditional couples and families therapy, those services are private pay only.