PuttingFamilyFirst

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DP Portrait of Donna Jeane Pappas
Online therapist

Donna Jeane Pappas

Compassionate, practical support for life transitions

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Credentials
LCMHC
Experience
32 years
Licensed in
North Carolina
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Donna

Donna Jeane Pappas offers practical, down-to-earth support for people facing change and stress. She focuses on helping clients untangle heavy feelings and make clear choices about what matters now. Many who reach out are dealing with grief, career shifts, parenting questions, relationship strain, or the weight of caregiving responsibilities.

Her style is collaborative and coaching-oriented, aimed at forward movement rather than long conversations about the past. She is a licensed clinical mental health counselor - LCMHC - practicing in North Carolina with 32 years of experience.

Background and approach

That background includes work with people facing serious health issues, hospice and end-of-life concerns, and major life transitions like retirement or having adult children leave home. She also supports those coping with chronic pain, seasonal mood changes, postpartum challenges, and the stress first responders may face.

In sessions she draws from approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and client-centered techniques. Conversations focus on clarifying values, setting realistic goals, and building small, usable skills. She balances practical strategies with attention to meaning and purpose so changes can stick.

Her work also touches on blended family issues, intimacy and relationship matters, and parenting questions. She uses motivational interviewing and narrative tools when they help people reframe difficult stories and find fresh options. The aim is steady progress toward a life that feels more aligned with personal priorities.

Clients can expect a respectful, nonjudgmental space where exploration is paired with concrete next steps. The emphasis is on usable tools and clearer direction, whether someone is managing anxiety, grief, caregiving stress, or planning the next chapter.

How her approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people name what matters most and take small steps toward those values even when hard feelings are present. It is useful for anxiety, grief, and life transitions because it focuses on action tied to personal priorities. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions connect and teaches practical skills to change unhelpful patterns, which is helpful for stress, depression, and managing mood. Client-Centered Therapy centers the conversation on the person's experience and uses empathy and listening to build clarity and confidence for decision making.

Deciding which approach fits best is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to match techniques to their goals, preferences, and needs. Sessions are adaptable - shifts in focus or method happen as progress and priorities change.

Online options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to make therapy flexible for busy schedules. These formats let people connect from home or between commitments and maintain continuity during life transitions or caregiving demands. The emphasis is on accessibility and practical tools so therapy can fit into real life while still supporting steady progress.

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 concerns does Donna address in sessions?
She works with stress, anxiety, grief, self-esteem, parenting, relationship and intimacy issues, anger, career and life changes, depression, compassion fatigue, and related concerns listed in her profile.
What is her therapeutic style like?
The approach is collaborative and coaching-oriented with practical steps. She focuses on goals, values, and skills rather than lengthy past-focused therapy.
How much clinical experience does she have?
The therapist has 32 years of professional experience working with a wide range of life-stage and health-related challenges.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds the LCMHC credential and practices in North Carolina; license number NC LCMHC 833 is on record.
Which languages and regions are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are accepted.
What session formats are available?
Sessions take place via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different preferences.
How are fees and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and services are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule based on the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
32 years
Licensed
North Carolina
Languages
English

Next step

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