- 35 years experience
- Client-centered approach
- Creative writing influence
About Donna
Donna Smith is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) based in New York. She brings 35 years of experience to one-on-one therapy and focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, grief, depression, addictions, and codependency. Donna aims to create a hopeful, trusting space where people can talk about what matters most in their lives.
She works collaboratively and prefers to join people as a guide rather than an authority. Sessions focus on practical steps and clear conversation about goals. Writing and creative expression are part of how she helps some clients name their story and imagine new possibilities.
Donna uses a mix of well-known approaches, choosing what fits each person. She draws on cognitive behavioral ideas to help change unhelpful thinking patterns and uses client-centered listening to keep the person's priorities central. Mindfulness and acceptance-based strategies are also part of her practice when they match a client's needs.
Her background includes graduate training at the University of Rochester and a long career across multiple mental health settings. That experience shapes a calm, steady style and a focus on everyday changes that add up over time. Donna emphasizes partnership in therapy and works to help people take manageable steps toward the future they want.
If someone prefers creative outlets, Donna can incorporate writing into sessions. To begin, she asks people to think about what they want from therapy so sessions can be tailored from the first meeting.
Therapeutic approaches for online support and change
Donna commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Client-Centered Therapy in her work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then focus on actions that match their values. Client-Centered Therapy centers the person's experience through active listening and empathy, letting the client lead what matters most.Finding the right approach is a team effort. Donna discusses options with each person and adjusts methods to fit their goals, needs, and preferences. That collaborative process helps decide which techniques to emphasize in sessions.
The therapist's profile does not list specific online session formats, so confirm current options before booking. In general, online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It also supports continuity when schedules change. Donna aims to help people use whatever session structure fits their routines while focusing on steady, practical steps toward their goals.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
35+ years
Credentials
New York
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Donna help with?
She supports people coping with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, addictions, codependency, and related issues like attachment and communication problems.
What is her therapeutic style like?
The approach is collaborative and warm; she positions herself as a guide and focuses on practical steps and clear conversation about goals.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Donna has 35 years of experience working in a range of mental health settings and in one-on-one therapy.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a licensed mental health counselor, LMHC, licensed in New York and practices from that region.
In which languages are sessions offered?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
The original profile does not list specific session formats; confirm current session options before booking.
How are costs handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.