Dr. Danielle Mason is a licensed psychologist with specialized expertise in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use, and co-occurring mental health conditions. She is the CEO and Founder of Illuminessence Therapy & Consulting, LLC, where since 2019 she has provided trauma-focused psychotherapy and conducted independent psychological evaluations. Her evaluation work includes Disability Benefits Questionnaires, Nexus Letters, and comprehensive mental health assessments for veterans, requiring detailed record review, objective clinical interviewing, and the preparation of clear, legally sound reports and medical opinions.

Previously, Dr. Mason served as a Research Psychologist at the San Francisco VA Health Care System (2020–2025), co-leading a multi-year study on trauma among veterans. She has also held leadership roles in national mental health organizations, where she developed training programs, supported clinical quality, and oversaw initiatives to strengthen culturally responsive care delivery.

Her earlier training includes an APA-accredited postdoctoral fellowship at the San Francisco VA, where she specialized in PTSD and co-occurring substance use disorders, and an APA-accredited internship at the Southeast Louisiana VA, where she co-developed an interprofessional program for veterans with PTSD. She earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2018.

Dr. Mason has published and presented nationally on PTSD, trauma, and substance use. She has taught at Smith College, UC Berkeley Extension, and Muhlenberg College, and continues to provide workshops for professionals on trauma-informed care and mental health awareness.