Kristine Donaldson, LCSW - Therapist in Illinois

About Kristine

Kristine Donaldson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Illinois with 14 years of clinical experience. She focuses on issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, parenting, and compassion fatigue. Kristine meets people where they are and aims to build a practical plan that fits each person’s life and goals.

She emphasizes a trusting, respectful relationship as the foundation for therapy. That connection helps determine which methods will be most useful for a person’s situation.

Background and approach

Sessions are straightforward and focused on skills, coping, and clearer thinking. Kristine draws from several evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and mindfulness techniques. She uses these tools to address mood concerns, trauma, relationship patterns, and stress-related problems.

Her work often centers on real-life challenges like career pressure, grief, addictions, and relationship or communication problems. She also supports people coping with panic, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and seasonal mood shifts. The focus is on practical steps clients can try between sessions.

Kristine encourages parents and caregivers to bring concrete concerns about parenting and family life to therapy. She explains strategies in plain language and helps clients test new habits gradually. Therapy is paced to match each person’s comfort and readiness to change.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Kristine commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help people notice and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. CBT breaks problems into small, manageable steps and teaches practical skills for worry, low mood, and stress.

She also uses Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to address traumatic memories and strong emotional reactions. EMDR aims to reduce the intensity of distress tied to upsetting events and can be paired with grounding and mindfulness techniques.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Kristine will talk with clients about their goals and preferences and then try methods that seem to fit. That collaborative process allows adjustments over time so therapy matches changing needs.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These formats make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life and to keep progress moving between appointments. Licensed professionals can use these tools to teach skills, process experiences, and track small steps toward change.

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.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Concrete skills for riding out strong emotion, tolerating distress, and handling relationships without things escalating. The skills are practised in daily life, so between-session support by message or phone fits naturally.

Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)

Attends to the emotions underneath a recurring argument or distance, and to the attachment needs driving them. Often used where a relationship keeps returning to the same painful loop.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Kristine work with?

She helps people facing depression, anxiety, stress, parenting issues, compassion fatigue, grief, trauma, addictions, bipolar symptoms, anger, and relationship struggles, among other areas listed in her profile.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Kristine keeps sessions practical and direct, focusing on skills, coping strategies, and clearer thinking. She aims to create a respectful, collaborative relationship.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has 14 years of experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker working in mental health settings.

Where is she licensed and based?

Kristine is licensed in Illinois as an LCSW with license number IL LCSW 149.018622.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English only and international clients are not currently accepted.

What session formats are available?

Therapy is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and schedules.

How are costs and billing handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use 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 sessions based on therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Stress, Anxiety
Self esteem
Career difficulties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 14 years
Licensed: Illinois
Languages: English

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