Daniel “Dr. Danger” Sapen is a clinical psychologist, focused on individual and couples’ psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. He has offices in Huntington and Hauppauge, Long
Island. In addition to providing fee-for-service psychotherapy and consultations, Sapen does pro bono work helping patients who aren’t able to afford the cost of mental health services. He also assists military veterans to qualify for compensation for combat-related psychological trauma.
In addition, Sapen works with artists, performers and athletes, helping them with issues impacting their performance and quality of life. He has contributed articles on psychology, boxing, music and audio for Quora; lectured at Columbia University; and won “Contributor of the Year, 2011” for his writing on The Sweet Science website.
Sapen is also an author and media figure publishing his first book, “Freud’s Lost Chord: Discovering Jazz in the Resonant Psyche”; been an expert guest on several TV and radio shows; contributed to numerous internet articles on stress, relationships and mental health; and manages a YouTube channel and podcast, “Real it In.”
He received his BA in philosophy from Vassar College and was captain of the boxing club.
Here, he had the privilege of training with Tony Marchese, whose friendship with Floyd Patterson gave him the opportunity to spar and fight three- rounders against boxers from Floyd’s gym. He furthered his education and received his M.A and Ph.D. in Psychology from The Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies at Adelphi University.
He is married for 22 years to his high-school sweetheart, Dina, who is an interior designer at the Huntington Ethan Allen. Together, they have a 13-year-old daughter, Alyssa Jayne. Sapen and his family currently reside in Huntington Station. In his free time, Sapen is a singer-songwriter and amateur jazz musician, playing guitar, piano, sax, drums and vocals.
“I train regularly at the Academy of Boxing in Huntington, and I enjoyed hearing about the past LIFFC events. I couldn’t participate before due to injuries, but I’m ready for my comeback! I volunteered to be a charity boxer because boxing and helping people are two very important parts of my life. Also, as a 57-year-old doctor, I’d like to contribute to the health and happiness of others in a different way: by dusting off boxing gear and seeing what I have left in the tank as an athlete. It will be great to join my fellow boxers to put on a great show which will generate funds for a very worthy cause. Training and fighting in this year’s Main Event means a great deal to me. I always try to give back to people in need, as I have been the beneficiary of other peoples’ sacrifice and I believe strongly in paying it forward. If I can raise money at the same time to benefit those in need, then it will all have been worth it. Most of all, as a father, I’m happy to show my child how much this means, how gratifying it can be to make a great effort to reach personal goals, to work hard on behalf of other people – and to give her a chance to help with my training and promotion!” said Daniel Sapen.
