Dana Nygaard

Dana Nygaard is a licensed psychotherapist, relationship coach, author, and sought-after national speaker dedicated to helping single Catholic women date intentionally and confidently. With years of experience empowering women to stop settling and start choosing wisely, Dana teaches how to build emotionally fulfilling relationships rooted in clarity, respect, and purpose. Her own journey from heartbreak to healing—and ultimately to love—gives her unique insight and compassion. Dana now shares the exact strategies that helped her find her husband David, helping others embrace self-worth and recognize when a man is truly worth it. Known for her faith-based and practical approach, Dana guides women to navigate the dating world with the same strength and clarity they bring to their careers. Her work transforms not just romantic lives—but the way women view themselves and their value in relationships. Learn more about Dana at dananygaard.com.

Are you a successful businesswoman struggling to find the same success in love? In this empowering episode of Talking with the Experts, host Rose Davidson sits down with Dana Nygaard, licensed psychotherapist and relationship coach, to explore how women can apply business strategies to transform their dating lives.

Dana dives deep into how key professional skills—like negotiation, boundary-setting, and clear communication—can also help women thrive in romantic relationships. If you’ve mastered the boardroom but find dating confusing or frustrating, this episode is your bridge to emotional empowerment and romantic fulfillment.

Learn how to confidently express your relationship needs, recognize unhealthy dynamics, and cultivate a partnership that aligns with your values. Dana shares the same powerful tools that helped her find lasting love—and they’ll work for you, too.

This isn’t about changing who you are. It’s about bringing your full, powerful self to the world of dating—and finally choosing a partner who truly sees and values you. 

💡 Three Key Points from the Interview:

1. How to apply negotiation and boundary-setting from business into romantic relationships. 

2. Signs of unhealthy dynamics and how to confidently walk away. 

3. How to date with intention and align your love life with your personal values.

Dana Nygaard’s Background

• Dana Nygaard taught secondary education from 6th through 12th grade for 16 years.

• Dana went back to grad school and became a licensed professional counselor.
• In recent years, Dana felt called to focus on relationship coaching, primarily working with women.
• Dana aims to help women transition from feeling insecure to secure in their relationships. 

Clarifying Intentions in Dating

• It is important to know what one wants in a relationship, including non-negotiables.

• One should avoid revealing all non-negotiables upfront to prevent manipulation.
• Writing down desired qualities in a partner can help in assessing compatibility.
• Asking direct questions early, such as intentions for marriage, can save time.
• Observing a partner’s actions, not just their words, is crucial for assessing compatibility.
• Being able to walk away if needed is a key aspect of clarifying intentions. 

Creating Win-Win Situations in Relationships

• Identifying and discussing each other’s priorities is essential for alignment.

• Using ‘I’ statements helps in clear communication and expressing needs.
• Seeking alignment rather than compromise ensures both partners’ needs are met.
• Regularly revisiting and reassessing the relationship helps ensure both partners are winning. 

Recognizing Red Flags and Deal Breakers

• Being able to recognize red flags and deal breakers is crucial in dating.

• Examples of red flags include controlling behaviour and lack of interest in important aspects of one’s life.
• Avoiding the sunk cost fallacy is important when deciding to end a relationship.
• Having a clear exit strategy and a supportive network is essential when walking away from a bad relationship. 

Avoiding the ‘We Worked Through It’ Syndrome

• Be cautious of the ‘we worked through it’ syndrome, where issues are glossed over without proper resolution.

• True resolution involves meaningful discussions and actions, not just superficial gestures like getting pizza.

• The importance of clarifying intentions early in dating, similar to business negotiations, to avoid wasting time with incompatible partners.
• The significance of observing a partner’s actions rather than just their words to ensure they align with stated intentions.
• The necessity of being able to walk away from a relationship if it doesn’t meet one’s needs, especially regarding physical intimacy.
• The value of creating win-win situations in relationships through honest discussions, alignment of priorities, and the use of ‘I’ statements.
• The importance of regularly reassessing the relationship to ensure both partners feel valued, and their needs are being met.
• The need to recognize and address red flags in a relationship, such as controlling behaviour or lack of interest, to avoid long-term dissatisfaction.
• The danger of the ‘we worked through it’ syndrome, where unresolved issues are glossed over, leading to continued mistreatment or dishonesty.

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