Donald Riles
(he/him)
New to Grow
I was born and raised in the Midwest, where empathy, humility, and hard work were instilled in me. It was here I also developed a love for baseball, an appreciation of nature, and a deep curiosity about the inner workings of the human mind. I was taught to respect the worth and dignity deserved by all people, and to always help those around me in need. These values have stuck with me, as today I am a compassionate and dedicated therapist committed to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity, resilience, and self-understanding.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Think of the first session as a friendly conversation. We’ll explore what brought you here, what you hope to achieve, and how I can best support you. It’s also a chance for you to see if working together feels comfortable and right. There’s no pressure—just a safe, welcoming space to be yourself and figure out if this is the right match for your journey.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My training is as a generalist clinical social worker, which means I draw from a range of evidence-based modalities and tailor our work to your unique needs rather than using a one-size-fits-all method. My approach is grounded in empathy, collaboration, and a deep respect for each person’s unique story, but at the core of my work is a strengths-based perspective. I focus on identifying and building on your existing abilities, resilience, and resources—not just addressing challenges. I also use a person-in-environment lens, which means we look not only at what’s happening internally for you, but also how your relationships, environment, and life circumstances are shaping your experience.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I am best positioned to serve clients who are seeking both understanding and actionable guidance in their personal growth or mental health journey. I work with people who face recurring patterns or challenges—whether it’s anxiety, stress, relationship struggles, self-doubt, or major life transitions—and want to understand why these patterns occur and how to shift them. I’m most effective with individuals who are curious and open to exploring their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and who value reflection as a pathway to change. My approach is particularly helpful for those who want to move beyond simply talking about their feelings, to also develop practical tools for coping, problem-solving, and communicating more effectively. I support clients navigating internal conflict or questions about identity, purpose, and self-esteem, helping them gain clarity and confidence in their choices. I am particularly well suited to serve youth and parents, clients who are motivated to change, and males of any age.
Specialties
Top specialtiesAnxiety
Coping Skills
Parenting
ADHD
Anger Management
Autism
I identify as
Man
White
Serves ages
Adults (18 to 64)
Elders (65 and above)
Teenagers (13 to 17)
Licensed in
Connecticut
Accepts
Arlo
Location
Virtual
My treatment methods
Strength-Based
Clinical application of the broader framework of positive psychology, we will seek to identify. highlight, and emphasize your individual strengths instead of focusing on pathology and deficits, using these as the foundational building blocks for achieving your treatment goals and overcoming challenges
Positive Psychology
Taking pieces of this research-based theoretical framework, rather than only focusing on shortcomings and fixing deficits, emphasis is placed on promoting well-being by cultivating positive emotions, engagement, relationships, and meaning.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Used to deepen an understanding of the connection between thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. With this understanding, thinking patterns are identified, challenged, and modified, while effective coping skills are built, resulting in meaningful and lasting change.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
Utilized to create a supportive, non-judgemental, accepting environment, where you are seen as the expert on your own life, and the therapeutic process is one of non-authoratative, explorative collaboration that works to empower the client, building self confidence and a sense of identity as solutions are found and discoveries are made at their own pace.
Family Therapy
I see families as interconnected systems, where each person’s actions and feelings shape the whole. In therapy, I focus on empowering each member to recognize their strengths while improving communication and understanding. I guide, observe, and facilitate, helping families notice patterns, resolve conflicts, and strengthen relationships. Together, we work to build empathy, clearer boundaries, healthier roles, and resilience, so families can navigate challenges with confidence and stay connected. By improving how family members communicate and interact, we create lasting positive change that benefits everyone.