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Dr. Danielle Balaghi, PhD, LP, NCSPP

Director of clinical training & Doctoral level psychologist

Farmington Hills & Virtual‍ ‍

Dr. Danielle Balaghi is the director of clinical training at Mala Child & Family Institute. Dr. Balaghi brings an incredible combination of clinical expertise, leadership experience, academic excellence, and passion for developing the next generation of mental health providers. She earned both her Master's and PhD in School Psychology from Michigan State University, where she graduated from an APA-accredited and NASP-approved doctoral program. She completed her APA-accredited internship through the Illinois School Psychology Internship Consortium and her postdoctoral fellowship at the Anxiety and OCD Treatment Center of Ann Arbor.

Clinically, Dr. Balaghi has extensive experience treating children, adolescents, and adults across outpatient, school, primary care, community mental health, and specialized anxiety settings. Specifically, she specializes in evidence-based treatment for anxiety disorders, phobias, OCD, and related concerns using CBT, ACT, and ERP. Dr. Balaghi works with people across the lifespan, helping them live a more fulfilling life that aligns with their values and goals.

Dr. Balaghi is a nationally recognized scholar, presenter, and advocate. She has published extensively on multicultural psychology, discrimination, school mental health, and underserved populations, and has presented her work at national and regional conferences. Her research has focused on multicultural psychology, discrimination, identity development, and mental health within underserved communities. She brings a strong commitment to culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and neurodiversity-affirming care that aligns closely with Mala’s mission and values.

work with Dr. Balaghi

  • PhD in School Psychology, Michigan State University, 2018

    • Anxiety

    • Panic Disorder

    • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

    • Adjustment disorders

    • Navigating stress in the workplace

    • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

    • Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)

    • Psychological Evaluation

    • Preteens

    • Teens

    • Adults

    • Blue Cross Blue Shield

    • Blue Care Network

    • Aetna

    • Priority Health

Get to know Dr. Danielle Balaghi

  • I find it incredibly rewarding to watch people face challenges with courage and grow through their experiences. One of my favorite parts of this work is seeing people recognize their own strengths and realize they're capable of far more than they once believed. I especially love watching someone's world expand as anxiety, OCD, or other challenges no longer dictate what they can do, allowing them to build a life that feels fuller, more open, and more meaningful. I also appreciate that this field is constantly evolving and responding to new research and the changing world around us, which gives me endless opportunities to continue learning and growing as a clinician.

  • Genuine curiosity about human behavior, coupled with a penchant for philosophical thinking, led me to wander into the field of psychology, where I asked questions such as: why do people respond differently in different situations? Why do people get stuck in patterns or cycles that do not serve them? Why do so many people struggle and suffer? What could I do to help? While I am scientifically minded and have done research on human behavior, I have been drawn to the application of it as well. Being part of someone’s journey for change is humbling and exciting, especially when they realize they have the power within themselves to create the life they want to live.

  • I take a collaborative, directive, and non-judgmental approach that is sensitive to your needs, values, and goals. My goal is to create a space where you can face your fears and tolerate feelings of uncertainty and discomfort that anxiety triggers.

  • You are more than your challenges.

  • I'm a big food person—I think food is one of the best ways people share their culture, history, hospitality, and love. I have a growing collection of cookbooks and food history books that I love flipping through, and now and then I'll try a new recipe. I'm also always looking for new restaurants to check out or places to travel where I can try something I've never had before.

  • “Being brave doesn’t mean you aren’t scared. Being brave means you are scared, really scared, badly scared, and you do the right thing anyway.” — Neil Gaiman

  • A few fun facts about me:

    • I once ran a 10K in an inflatable alien costume

    • I ride a motorcycle

    • I plan my trips around what I'm going to eat

    • I've taught my dog to play soccer with me

    • One of my favorite adventures was glacier ice climbing in Alaska

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