Donna Avant, LICSW - Therapist in Alabama

About Donna

Donna Avant is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with 32 years of experience in the mental health field. She creates a calm, straightforward space where parents and caregivers can talk about stress, anxiety, grief, relationships, and parenting concerns. Conversations are practical and focused on making daily life easier for people facing change.

Her approach is built around listening first. Donna uses client-centered work to understand each person’s story.

Background and approach

She then brings in cognitive behavioral techniques to notice unhelpful thinking and try different, more useful actions. Sessions often focus on coping skills, clearer communication, and realistic steps to manage overwhelming feelings. She draws on clients’ values and faith when that matters to them, but follows whatever direction each person prefers.

The work aims to build awareness and steady habits rather than quick fixes. Donna has supported people through grief, hospice and end-of-life concerns, caregiver stress, workplace difficulties, and relationship problems across her career. She also offers coaching around life purpose, career choices, and building self-esteem.

The goal is steady progress, one manageable change at a time. To begin, she asks a few questions about your situation and goals, then tailors the sessions to fit your needs. Donna welcomes people from Alabama and beyond and conducts work in English for those who choose video, phone, chat, or text formats.

How client-centered work and CBT translate online

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on building understanding through active listening and empathy. The therapist follows the person’s lead, helping them name what matters and choose goals that feel right. This approach helps with life transitions, parenting questions, and emotional overwhelm.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps people notice thoughts that make problems worse and try different behaviors. It breaks issues into small steps and teaches practical tools for anxiety, low mood, or unhelpful habits.

Choosing an approach is a collaborative process. Donna will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t worked before. Together they decide whether to emphasize listening and values-based work, more structured CBT techniques, or a mix of both.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to meet those goals. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation, phone sessions fit packed schedules, and live chat or text messaging can support short check-ins or ongoing coaching. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent during busy family routines or when travel is difficult, while still focusing on skills and steps that matter.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Donna address?

She works with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, relationship and parenting concerns, and related issues like caregiver stress, communication problems, and compassion fatigue.

What is her general style in sessions?

Sessions are practical and client-centered. She listens first, then helps clients try clearer thinking and useful coping skills.

How much clinical experience does she have?

Donna brings 32 years of experience in mental health, including work with grief, life transitions, trauma, and long-term stress.

What are her credentials and location?

She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker - AL LICSW 1395C, based in Alabama.

Which languages and international options are supported?

Sessions are offered in English and Donna accepts international clients.

What session formats are available?

She works via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs.

How are costs and payment handled?

Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What is the first step to begin working together?

Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Stress, Anxiety
Relationship issues
Grief

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 32 years
Licensed: Alabama
Languages: English

Next step

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