- Strengths based
- Practical tools
- Nonjudgmental care
About Donna
Donna Sarvela is a licensed clinical social worker with 13 years of experience. She helps people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma, or depression. Donna focuses on practical steps people can use day to day. She aims to create a calm, nonjudgmental space where thoughts and feelings can be spoken honestly.
Donna uses a strengths-based, client-centered style that begins with listening. She pairs that with evidence-informed methods such as cognitive behavioral techniques and mindfulness to help people notice patterns and try new behaviors. Motivational interviewing is used when change feels hard or motivation is mixed.
Her background includes work with addiction-related concerns, domestic violence, family of origin issues, and mood disorders. She also addresses codependency, guilt and shame, impulsivity, isolation, and grief over life changes. Sessions focus on small, manageable shifts rather than overwhelming plans.
Donna describes therapy as a collaborative process. She helps people set clear, reachable goals and reviews progress together. This often means practicing coping skills between visits and adjusting approaches when needed.
Sessions are offered from her Utah practice and are provided in English. She holds licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - LCSW in both Utah and California and brings those 13 years of clinical experience to each meeting.
How Donna’s Methods Work Remotely
Donna blends client-centered listening with cognitive behavioral techniques and mindfulness practice. Client-centered work means sessions begin with the person’s own goals and concerns and builds from there. Cognitive behavioral techniques focus on spotting unhelpful thoughts and trying different behaviors to see what changes. Mindfulness offers simple attention and breathing practices to reduce overwhelm and improve focus.Finding the right approach is part of the therapy process. Donna will work together with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That can mean trying an approach for several sessions and adjusting based on what helps most.
If you are considering online therapy, confirm the current session options before booking. Ask which formats are offered and how they fit into your life. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions around work, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when a quick session is helpful. It can also make it simpler to practice skills between meetings and maintain continuity during life changes.
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
13+ years
Credentials
Utah, California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Donna commonly help with?
She works with people facing stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma, depression, and coping with life changes. Additional focus areas include codependency, family of origin issues, and mood disorders.
What is her therapy style like?
Her approach is client-centered and strengths based. She listens first, then uses practical methods like cognitive behavioral tools and mindfulness to address patterns.
What experience does she bring?
Donna has 13 years of professional clinical experience working with addiction-related issues, domestic violence, and trauma among other concerns.
What credentials and location apply?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - LCSW, licensed in Utah and California. Her practice is based in Utah.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions scheduled and paid for?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with therapy?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's 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.