Donna Smith, LMHC

New York | Online sessions in New York | English | Book with Donna »

Compassionate counselor who listens and guides

Details

Name	Donna Smith
Credentials	LMHC
Based in	New York
Licensed in	New York
Session format	Online
Languages	English
Years in practice	35

About Donna

Donna Smith is a licensed mental health counselor with 35 years of experience in New York. She focuses on helping people cope with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, trauma, and intimacy-related concerns. She also supports those facing parenting strain, relationship difficulties, ADHD, and LGBT-related issues.

Donna brings a calm, straightforward presence to conversations and aims to make therapy approachable for people feeling overwhelmed. Her work is shaped by Narrative therapy ideas and other practical approaches.

Background and approach

She invites clients to tell their stories and looks for the patterns that shape how they see themselves. Sessions are conversational and grounded in real-life change rather than jargon. Donna uses tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Client-Centered work to help people try different ways of responding to hard feelings.

Donna values a collaborative relationship. She describes herself as a guide who partners with people to clarify goals and try strategies that fit daily life. Writing and creativity are part of her perspective, and she sometimes brings reflective writing prompts into sessions to help people notice shifts in their thinking.

Her style aims to be hopeful and practical. She helps people build small habits that reduce distress and strengthen relationships. Over decades in clinics and independent practice she has learned to match methods to the person in front of her.

Sessions are offered in English and available through video, phone, live chat, or text messaging. Donna holds a New York Licensed Mental Health Counselor credential (LMHC).

What this therapist works with

Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Relationship issues among the things Donna works with, alongside the areas below.

Stress, Anxiety
LGBT
Relationship issues
Grief
Depression
Addictions
Family conflicts
Trauma and abuse
Intimacy-related issues
Parenting issues
Anger management
Self esteem
Bipolar disorder
Coping with life changes
Compassion fatigue
ADHD
Abandonment
Aging and geriatric issues
Attachment issues
Codependency
Commitment issues
Communication problems
Control issues
Dependent personality
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
Divorce and separation
Emptiness
Family of origin issues
Family problems
Forgiveness
Gender dysphoria
Guilt and shame
Impulsivity
Infidelity
Isolation / loneliness
Jealousy
Life purpose
Mood disorders
Narcissism
Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
Personality disorders
Prejudice and discrimination
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Self-harm
Self-love
Sexuality
Social anxiety and phobia
Women's issues
Workplace issues

Approaches listed

Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Donna among the ways she works.
Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Donna among the ways she works.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Donna among the ways she works.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Listed by Donna among the ways she works.
Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT): Listed by Donna among the ways she works.
Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Donna among the ways she works.
Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Donna among the ways she works.
Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Donna among the ways she works.
Internal Family Systems: Listed by Donna among the ways she works.
Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Donna directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.

Narrative Therapy in this listing

Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.

If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Donna directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.

Online session options

Approaches that guide online sessions

Donna commonly draws on Narrative therapy to help people reframe the stories they tell about themselves. This approach asks what role a problem plays in someone's life and helps them explore alternative, more helpful stories. It can be useful for issues like identity, relationship patterns, and feeling stuck.

She also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which focuses on noticing thoughts and feelings without getting pushed around by them, and then taking action that aligns with personal values. ACT is often applied for anxiety, depression, grief, and coping with life changes. Client-Centered therapy is another part of her approach, where she offers empathic listening and works at the client's pace to build trust and clarify goals.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Donna treats the first sessions as a chance to learn about priorities, try methods, and decide together what fits best. She partners with clients to shape a plan that matches their needs, goals, and preferences.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls let people use visual cues and longer conversations. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can be easier to fit into a break at work. Live chat and text messaging are useful for brief check-ins, quick skill practice, or ongoing support between sessions. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent while balancing life commitments and schedules.

Common questions about this listing

What kinds of concerns can Donna help with?

She supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, addictions, relationship and intimacy concerns, parenting strain, ADHD, and LGBT-related issues, among other topics.

How does she approach therapy?

Her style blends Narrative ideas with acceptance and cognitive approaches. Sessions are conversational and focus on real-life changes and practical skills to manage emotions.

What experience does she bring?

Donna has 35 years of experience working in a range of mental health settings and one-on-one practice supporting people who want to improve their quality of life.

What are her credentials and where is she located?

She holds a New York LMHC, which stands for Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and she practices from New York.

Can I work with her in a language other than English?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are offered?

Therapy is available by video call, phone session, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and preferences.

How are sessions paid for and what does it cost?

Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session according to the therapist's availability.

Contacting this therapist

Sessions with Donna are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Donna where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.

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