Dona Abbinante , LCSW

Dona Abbinante is a licensed clinical social worker in California with 31 years of experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, and parenting concerns. Dona emphasizes a respectful, strengths-based approach and meets clients where they are.

Dona views each person as the expert on their own life. She helps people notice what already works for them and builds on those strengths to address challenges. She offers steady support while clients try new ways of coping and solving problems.

Her work includes helping people through divorce and separation, feelings of isolation or loneliness, panic attacks, mood disorders, post-traumatic stress, and social anxiety or phobia. She also brings focused attention to women's issues and the particular stresses people face in those roles.

Sessions are conversational and practical. Dona talks through current problems, teaches coping skills, and helps plan steps clients can try between sessions. She encourages realistic goals and checks in on progress over time.

Dona’s long experience in California settings has exposed her to many life situations and losses. People who choose her can expect steady, experienced guidance, respectful listening, and help turning small changes into lasting shifts.

Evidence-informed approaches and how they fit with online therapy

Dona uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on practical skills and building on strengths. One common way is teaching coping skills for anxiety and panic - short exercises and techniques clients can practice between sessions to reduce symptoms and increase confidence. Another approach involves structured work for trauma and grief, helping people process difficult memories at a manageable pace while developing present-day coping strategies.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Dona will work with each person to learn their goals, try methods that fit their needs, and adjust the plan as progress is made. The emphasis is on trying concrete strategies together and choosing what helps most.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect. Video calls let people have a session that feels most like an in-person visit. Phone sessions can be a good option when bandwidth is limited or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Live chat or text-based messaging make it possible to check in between sessions, share quick updates, or fit brief conversations into a busy day. These options help make regular care easier to arrange around work, parenting, and daily life.