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DS Portrait of Donna Smith
Online therapist

Donna Smith

Compassionate, experienced guide for life changes

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Credentials
LMHC
Experience
35 years
Licensed in
New York
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Donna

Donna Smith is a licensed mental health counselor with 35 years of experience. She practices in New York and focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, grief, depression, addictions, and family concerns. Donna talks plainly and offers steady support for people facing life changes, parenting challenges, relationship strain, and questions about identity and intimacy.

Her sessions are collaborative. She listens first, then helps clients clarify goals and find workable steps.

Background and approach

Donna draws on several proven approaches and adapts them to each person's situation rather than using a single fixed method. Donna trained at the University of Rochester and holds the Licensed Mental Health Counselor credential - LMHC. She blends clinical experience with a longtime interest in creative writing, which she sometimes uses to help people reflect on their stories and hopes.

People can expect a warm, respectful tone in her work. She describes herself as a guide who walks alongside clients while they decide the direction to take. Many clients appreciate the balance of practical problem solving and personal reflection she brings to sessions.

Her work covers many concerns including trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, addiction, parenting, anger, self-esteem, ADHD, and coping with major life transitions. Sessions are offered in English and use a mix of talk, skills practice, and reflective exercises to support progress.

How Donna’s approaches translate to online therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people focus on what matters most and take small steps toward those values. It often includes mindfulness and actions that build a more meaningful daily life. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts and behaviors interact and teaches practical skills to reduce anxiety, depression, and unhelpful habits. Emotionally-Focused Therapy, or EFT, centers on emotions and patterns in close relationships to help people improve connection and resolve recurring conflicts.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. Donna will discuss the options and help clients decide which method fits their needs, goals, and preferences. The plan can change over time based on what is working and what the client wants to focus on.

Online sessions make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life. Video calls let people meet face to face from home, while phone, live chat, and text-based messaging offer alternatives when scheduling or comfort make them a better fit. These formats support continuity of care and flexibility so clients can keep momentum even during transitions or busy periods.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Less about arguing with difficult thoughts, more about loosening their grip and acting on what matters to you anyway. Values and committed action carry the work, which suits conversation at a distance.

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 kinds of concerns does Donna address?
Donna works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, and a broad range of family and relationship issues. Her stated specialties also include parenting, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related concerns, ADHD, and coping with life changes.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
She uses a warm, collaborative style that emphasizes listening first and then setting clear, practical goals. Sessions often combine talk, skills practice, and reflective exercises.
What background and experience does she bring?
She has 35 years of experience in a variety of mental health settings and trained at the University of Rochester. She also integrates creative writing interests into her therapeutic work when helpful.
Where is Donna licensed and located?
Donna is licensed as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor - LMHC with license number NY LMHC 001003 and practices in New York.
Which languages are offered for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging as session formats.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Donna?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
35 years
Licensed
New York
Languages
English

Next step

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