MysticMag had the pleasure of chatting with Dr. Danielle Clark, a dynamic, heart-centered professional with a blend of business acumen and spiritual insight. As a wellness center owner, business professor, psychic medium, and intuitive life coach, Danielle helps individuals heal from trauma, grief, and self-judgment, drawing on her own transformative journey through a Dark Night of the Soul. With a mix of tough love, compassion, and humor, she supports clients in finding their true selves and embracing personal growth. With a rich background in human resources, higher education, and energy healing, Danielle empowers others to heal and live with authenticity and purpose.
Danielle, you mentioned experiencing a “Dark Night of the Soul” that helped you realign with your purpose. How did that period shape your perspective on life, and what specific lessons from that time do you share most often with clients?
If I were to describe my “Dark Night of the Soul” I’d say it was an invitation to reconsider and re-experience myself and the world profoundly. It was a process of unlearning—a shedding of ego and trauma. The journey was tumultuous and frightening at times, yet deeply soulful and even exhilarating as new parts of myself emerged, facets I hadn’t fully known before. I truly believe my life has prepared me to help others who may be navigating similar transformative experiences.
A Dark Night of the Soul can be triggered by various catalysts: grief, unexpected trauma, or even a gradual unraveling over time. In my work, I support clients as they journey through their own dark nights. I create a space for them to share openly, helping them process everything from intense physical sensations to the upheaval of relationships, friendships, and careers. I also offer actionable steps to guide them—suggestions for books, activities, or practices that can help release some of the trauma and bring a sense of comfort during what is often a profoundly uncomfortable but beautifully transformative time. In addition, I bring wisdom from the Spirit world, offering love, validation, and insights into the bigger picture. In all that I do, my aim is to help people move forward with grace and love, even in the midst of chaos.
As a psychic medium and intuitive life coach with a background in academia and business, how do you blend these seemingly different worlds to support people on their personal and professional journeys?
My approach naturally resonates with a more left-brained audience—those who are analytical, detail-oriented, and often Type A personalities. I connect well with people who like to make things happen and often juggle full plates, especially as they grow in their careers. I can meet them where they are because I’ve been in their shoes—and, in some ways, I still am. Over the years, though, I’ve found greater peace, simplicity, and stillness in my own life.
Many people who come to me are exploring spirituality for the first time. They might feel uncomfortable or even skeptical about what it means to be “spiritual” or how to integrate that side of themselves into both their personal and professional lives. They may not be ready for more unconventional or “woo-woo” modalities (their words, not mine), so they find reassurance in my practical, grounded approach. Because I teach business concepts and run my own businesses, there’s an inherent trust and comfort that clients find with me. They appreciate that I have found balance between both worlds, staying grounded in the here and now while warmly welcoming a mystical, intuitive side into my life.
Spirit, in many ways, works like a Rolodex for us—drawing on what we know and have personally experienced to convey insights and messages that are relatable and meaningful. My background is quite diverse, especially in academic frameworks and corporate dynamics, which gives me a unique edge as a life coach and psychic, particularly for clients navigating career transitions. Having experience in HR and the corporate space allows me to offer perspectives and advice that are tailored and relevant to the challenges they’re facing. In this way, my background serves as a bridge between practical, grounded understanding and spiritual insight, creating a comfortable entry point for those new to these ideas.
Healing from past trauma and breaking judgment habits are core parts of your mission. What are some initial steps you guide clients through to start healing and rethinking self-judgment?
The first step in the healing process is often simply starting the conversation. There’s tremendous healing in speaking our truth, so I create a space for people to share openly and without judgment. When someone comes to me with something they’ve been holding in, like a secret or a “skeleton in the closet,” I encourage them to let it out. Speaking these truths aloud can be incredibly powerful.
A big part of my work also involves helping clients break habits and develop tools to manage their energy. I teach simple techniques to shift their mindset and avoid getting stuck in unproductive thought loops. For instance, if they find themselves rehashing a thought that doesn’t serve them, I suggest they do something physical, like clapping or standing up and stretching, to break the energy. I also encourage journaling—sometimes even automatic writing—as a way to process and release.
In doing this work, Spirit is with me every step of the way, offering wisdom, compassion, evidence, and guidance. Spirit’s message is always one of love and acceptance, reminding us that we are held in unconditional love. Through my work as a psychic medium, I can validate this message by sharing specific insights that resonate with my clients, like “We see you, we know you’ve done ABC, we see what you’re navigating 123, and it’s okay. We love you, we understand—it’s all part of your journey.” This spiritual validation can often help people feel lighter and brighter.
As needed, I share parts of my own journey as well. While some life coaches and mediums prefer to keep their private life separate, I believe that sharing my own experiences can be an act of service. It lets others know that I’ve been there, that I’m coming from a place of understanding and compassion, and that they are not alone. This sense of shared experience can be incredibly comforting and helps people move out of shame and closer to self-love, knowing that others have walked similar paths.
You’ve openly shared that adversity has been a strong teacher for you. In what ways has facing those challenges deepened your empathy and connection with your clients’ experiences?
In many ways, my lived experiences have shaped my ability to connect deeply with others. By the time I was 15, I had endured emotional, physical, and sexual trauma. These hardships have given me the ability to truly understand trauma—what it feels like, how it manifests, and the emotional, mental, and physical triggers that come with it.
The healing process I’ve gone through—shedding ego, working through my pain, and learning to navigate the complexity of human suffering—has equipped me to work with Spirit and connect on a deep, intimate level with others who are facing similar struggles. It’s helped me understand the emotions that arise, the blocks people encounter, and the burning desire for motivation and change that often comes after adversity.
I often say that my life’s challenges have propelled me to become the lightworker I am today. By “lightworker,” I mean someone who helps others on their healing journey—not by healing them directly, but by creating a space of love and light where they can heal themselves. I provide perspective and support, helping people tap into their own strength and resilience.
Also, because of my own experiences and adversities, I’m not easily fazed by what others might consider shocking or taboo. No matter what someone brings to me, it doesn’t feel foreign or overwhelming; it simply feels like love. I’ve learned to approach every situation with openness and compassion. This allows me to work with anyone, no matter what they are going through, with the understanding that everyone deserves a safe space.
I take great pride in being that safe space for people, especially those who are navigating their own dark moments—whether internally, through their own struggles, or externally, in the challenges life throws at them.
With a history in both corporate roles and now in spiritual guidance, how has your approach to self-worth and success evolved? What advice would you give to someone struggling with self-acceptance in a high-achievement culture?
My definition of success has evolved significantly, especially after my own Dark Night of the Soul. It’s become clear to me that success isn’t something fixed or measurable by traditional standards. In fact, I believe that any definition we cling to is subject to change as we grow and evolve. The more we explore within ourselves, the more we realize that even concepts like success can be fluid and ever-changing.
If I were to capture success in words, it wouldn’t be a “thing”—it would be a feeling. I know I’ve had a successful day when I ask myself one simple question: “Am I proud of myself?” That’s how I measure success. It doesn’t mean I was perfect or didn’t have moments of frustration, like a disagreement with my husband or a slip into self-sabotage. It’s not about having a flawless day. It’s about knowing I did my best, that I offered love and light to the world. At the end of the day, success for me is rooted in pride—am I proud of how I showed up, and did I contribute positivity?
Of course, there are also the foundational aspects of success: the practical side of life, such as earning enough to pay the bills, enjoy the comforts of a home, and occasionally indulge in a little adventure. But ultimately, those material markers are secondary to the internal feeling they provide. As I continue to deepen my spiritual practice, I find that it’s the feelings of peace, contentment, and alignment that define my sense of success, not the things I accumulate.
For those who are struggling, particularly those whose self-worth is tied to their income, status, or how others perceive them, I hear you. I was once on that path too. I reached a point where I was physically hurting myself, working relentlessly in the belief that success meant pushing harder, striving for more. But my message is this: the more we let go and prioritize our health—mind, body, and soul—the more the universe will provide. Success, in its truest form, requires surrender, flow, and trust that the universe wants us to be whole.
By focusing on self-love and taking care of ourselves, the things that once seemed important—like external validation or constant busyness—will fade into the background. Setting boundaries becomes easier, and you’ll find yourself naturally stepping away from things that drain you. Even if it feels hard at first, I promise that prioritizing yourself is worth it. So, fill your cup up, even if you don’t feel like it right now. Many of us are sick in ways we don’t even realize, used to pushing through headaches and exhaustion without questioning it. But once you start breaking that cycle, once you begin giving yourself the love and care you deserve, you’ll see how much easier it is to stand in your own power and let go of the pressures to perform.
If you would like to find out more about Dr. Danielle Clark, please visit https://drdanielleclark.com/
