Donna Smith , LMHC

Donna Smith is a New York licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) with 35 years of experience. She focuses on women's issues alongside a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship and intimacy problems, and ADHD. Donna offers straightforward, compassionate help to people who want to improve how they feel and function in daily life.

She uses a collaborative, person-centered way of working. Sessions are conversational and practical. Donna listens first, then helps people set clear goals and try small changes that can make a difference. Creative writing interests sometimes shape how she helps clients tell and reframe their stories.

Her background includes long experience in multiple mental health settings. That history informs a calm, steady approach when someone is facing life transitions, loss, or serious stress. She emphasizes skills people can use between sessions to manage symptoms and stay grounded.

Donna draws on several established approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Emotionally-Focused Therapy to suit what each person needs. She aims for an open, trusting relationship and works at the client’s pace while offering guidance and structure when helpful.

Sessions are available in English and take place online through video calls, phone, live chat, or text messaging. Donna describes her role as a partner on a person’s journey toward clearer priorities and better day-to-day coping.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then choose actions that match their values. It can be useful for anxiety, stress, and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and testing small changes to improve mood and functioning, which often helps with depression and anxiety. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) concentrates on emotions and attachment patterns to improve how people connect and communicate in close relationships.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Donna collaborates with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences. She may blend techniques from different approaches as needs evolve, and she checks in regularly to make sure the plan still feels useful.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy more flexible. Video is good for face-to-face conversation, phone can be easier when bandwidth is limited, chat or text can fit a short check-in or busy schedule. These options let people fit sessions into workdays, travel, or parenting routines while keeping contact consistent with the therapist.