What patients are saying
Overall rating
5.00
Average wait time
5.00
Bedside manner
5.00
“Athena was easy to talk to, extraordinarily attentive, and insightful. She was able to understand my issues easily and I felt at ease. There were no judgements, just helpful direction and compassion. I look forward to more sessions.
I like how she allowed me to "lead" the session by telling her as much as I could about my situation, rather than her taking the lead and asking questions that might not have been on point, or what I wanted to talk about.
I felt it was a very productive session, and I highly recommend her.”
Dan A.May 16, 2025
About Athena Dao
Clientele seen
Teenagers (13-17)
Seniors (65+)
Families
Young adults (18-24)
Individuals
Adults (25-64)
Couples
Identity
Gender
FemaleLanguages spoken
English, Vietnamese
Getting to know Athena Dao
Athena Dao, LMFT, is a compassionate and dedicated Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with years of experience in helping individuals, couples, and families navigate the complexities of relationships and mental health. Serving clients across California, she is deeply committed to guiding her clients through life’s challenges, helping them uncover underlying issues, and empowering them with effective techniques to foster peace and clarity. Athena specializes in treating trauma, grief, and anxiety, recognizing the profound impact these issues can have on daily life. As a trauma therapist, she provides a safe and supportive space for clients to explore their experiences and work toward healing. Her expertise in grief therapy helps those coping with loss navigate their emotions and find a path forward.
Additionally, Athena’s focus on anxiety disorders allows her to assist clients in managing overwhelming thoughts and feelings, enabling them to regain control and improve their quality of life. Throughout her career, Athena has worked in a variety of settings, including nonprofit organizations, community mental health centers, and educational institutions. She addresses a wide range of issues, including ADHD, depression, neurodivergence, and women’s issues. Athena employs a holistic humanistic approach, drawing from evidence-based practices such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy. She tailors her interventions to the unique needs of each client, helping them enhance self-awareness, address unresolved issues, and discover meaningful answers to life’s challenges. Athena believes that every aspect of life, whether joyful or painful, carries profound meaning.
In her therapy practice, she draws on her knowledge and experiences to help patients uncover what makes their lives meaningful, empowering them to better navigate difficulties and overcome challenges.
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In-network insurances
Aetna
BlueCross BlueShield
Cigna
Medicare
UnitedHealthcare
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It’s common for mental health providers to be out-of-network. Many insurance plans offer out-of-network coverage, so you may get partially reimbursed. Learn more
More information on payments and coverage
During the LifeStance onboarding process, we will contact you to collect your payment card information. It’s our policy to collect this information and confirm that it is valid prior to your first appointment so that we can simplify the payment process upon completion of your appointment, especially in the case of a telehealth appointment where the traditional “check-out” process doesn’t occur.
Important Note: This provider is not currently bookable for new patients with Medicare or Medicaid coverage.
Office location
Athena Dao, MA, LMFT also offers online video visits for patients
Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- UMass Global, Master's in Psychology
NPI number
1487386066
Patient reviews
All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
5.00
Wait time
5.00
Bedside manner
5.00
Your trust is our top concern, so providers can't pay to alter or remove reviews. We also don't publish reviews that contain any private patient health information. Learn more here
9 reviews
Most relevant
A great therapist, very considerate and knowledgeable! Would 1000% recommend!
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
A great therapist, very considerate and knowledgeable! Would 1000% recommend!
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
Athena was easy to talk to, extraordinarily attentive, and insightful. She was able to understand my issues easily and I felt at ease. There were no judgements, just helpful direction and compassion. I look forward to more sessions.
I like how she allowed me to "lead" the session by telling her as much as I could about my situation, rather than her taking the lead and asking questions that might not have been on point, or what I wanted to talk about.
I felt it was a very productive session, and I highly recommend her.
May 16, 2025Dan A.Verified patient
Less than 6 months agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
Less than 6 months agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
Less than 6 months agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
Less than 6 months agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
How soon can I make an appointment with Athena Dao?
Generally, Athena Dao has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Athena Dao's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Athena Dao accepting new patients?
Athena Dao generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Athena Dao's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Athena Dao accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Athena Dao is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Athena Dao online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Athena Dao using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Athena Dao work with?
Athena Dao works with LifeStance Health - California- 2.
Where is Athena Dao's office located?
Athena Dao has 2 office locations in Costa Mesa, view full addresses on Athena Dao's profile.
What are common reasons for patients to see Athena Dao?
Athena Dao frequently sees patients for Depression, New Patient Visit, Pain Management Consultation, Psychotherapy, and Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit. You can see other visit reasons for Athena Dao on their profile.
What languages does Athena Dao speak?
Athena Dao speaks English and Vietnamese.
How do patients rate Athena Dao in reviews?
9 patients have reviewed Athena Dao. The overall rating for this doctor is 5/5. They have a 5/5 rating for bedside manner and a 5/5 rating for wait time. You can read individual reviews and ratings on their profile.