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REMOTE AND IN-PERSON IN OJAI, CALIFORNIA

There’s always more to the story

As a wellness coach and consultant, I help young people, families, and schools look beneath behavior, conflict, and stress to understand what people are feeling and what they need. Together, we build the skills, relationships and support to stay connected through difficult moments and meet what comes next with greater health and steadiness.

Understory’s Mission

Understory Wellness helps children, families, and communities understand what lies beneath patterns of struggle and turn that understanding into meaningful, everyday change. Through collaborative coaching, consultation, and education, we strengthen connection, build confidence, and create practical ways forward that honor both the individual and the larger system around them.

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Hi, I’m Ali Danch
MPH, MSW

I’m a mom of three, trained therapist, parent and family coach, maternal and child health professional, and consultant based in Ojai, California.

For more than fifteen years, I’ve worked alongside children, parents, families, schools, and communities through periods of growth and change. The “why” behind my work is simple: I want young people to feel deeply known and supported, and I want parents and those working with young people to feel less alone as they learn how to understand, connect with, and show up for the children in their lives. We live in times of unprecedented activity and overwhelming disconnection. This work brings families together. 

My role as a coach and consultant is different from that of a therapist. Coaching allows me to be active, relational, and hands-on. I ask a lot of questions. I use the trust we build together, offer different perspectives, and—when it may be helpful—draw from my own life and experiences. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. We pay close attention to what life actually feels like for you and your kids, and we shape the work around what your family or school needs.

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The Understory Approach

No one exists in isolation, and there’s rarely just one version of a story.

The Understory Method was born from the convergence of my professional experience as a specialist in maternal and child health and my personal experience navigating therapy during seasons when my family needed additional support. When I was both a provider and client of the traditional therapy model, I grew frustrated with the limits of this framework of care. While it certainly has its place, I found myself increasingly drawn to the vision of support that felt more active, personal, and collaborative, of being willing to step into the messiness, ask thoughtful questions, and help turn insight into everyday change. That vision became Understory Wellness.

In our work, we make space for the whole person and the whole family. We get curious about patterns without judgment. We consider research and a wide range of perspectives, then look at all of it through the unique lens of who you and your children actually are.

Working with me is active, creative, and deeply human. We talk, but we also laugh, make art, use movement, experiment, and pay attention to what happens between us. There is room for seriousness and play, research and intuition, challenge and warmth.

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My background
and training

I bring together public health, social work, mental health, human development, family systems, education, research, organizational development, and 15 years of direct work with children, parents, professionals, and leaders.

    • B.A. in Nonprofit Management and International Studies, Indiana University

    • Master of Public Health (MPH) from UC Berkeley, with a focus in Health and Social Behavior and Maternal and Child Health

    • Master of Social Welfare (MSW) from UC Berkeley, with training in individual, family, and systems practice

    • Qualitative and mixed-methods research experience, including interviews, focus groups, observation, surveys, thematic analysis, program evaluation, and research translation

    • Training and experience in trauma-informed, attachment-focused, relational, and systems-based approaches

    • Co-published work concerning maternal and child health, family wellbeing, and the Luna Maya midwifery model in Mexico.

    • More than 15 years of experience in systems change and maternal and children’s health

    • Trained therapist with a deep understanding of child development, relationships, and family systems

    • Family coach helping parents turn insight into practical, sustainable change at home

    • Independent school consultant supporting healthier systems, clearer practices, and stronger school communities

    • Founder of Understory Wellness and creator of the Understory Method, an integrated approach grounded in research, collaboration, and lived experience

My Values

  • Curiosity over judgment

    We seek to understand before trying to fix.

  • Whole-person thinking

    We consider each person, their relationships, and the systems around them.

  • Connection first

    Trust, honesty, and belonging create the conditions for growth.

  • Collaboration

    We work alongside people, combining research with lived experience.

  • Meaningful action

    We turn insight into practical, sustainable change.

  • The range of human experience

    We welcome struggle, joy, seriousness, and play.

A family of four enjoying time outdoors in a park-like area during sunset. The mother, sitting in a tree, is holding a young child, while another child is hugging a man, possibly the father, who is smiling down at the child. The scene is warm and captures a joyful moment among the family members surrounded by trees.

“Ali is kind, warm, and incredibly sharp — she just gets it. She has a remarkable ability to meet people exactly where they are and intuitively understand what they need. Her adaptability and insight make her truly exceptional to work with.”

— Family Coaching Client

Let’s connect

Whether you’re looking for support for yourself, your family, or your school, I’d be honored to walk alongside you. Schedule a complimentary 30-minute exploratory conversation with me so can discuss your situation and how I might best be of service.

GET IN TOUCH