New to Grow
Hi there! I’m Donna, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Florida and Indiana with years of experience in medical social work and mental health. I’ve worked with many people navigating life’s ups and downs, and I try to show up with warmth, practicality, and real understanding. I know choosing a therapist is a very personal decision, and you deserve someone who feels comfortable, supportive, and feels like the right fit for you.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
A first therapy session is usually pretty relaxed and conversational. We’ll spend time getting to know each other, talking about what brought you to therapy, what’s been going on in your life, and what you’re hoping to get out of our work together. There’s no pressure to share everything at once—you’re always in control of the pace. I’ll also explain how therapy works, answer any questions you have, and go over practical things like confidentiality and expectations. Most of all, the first session is about making sure you feel comfortable, heard, and supported, and seeing whether we feel like a good fit moving forward.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My greatest strengths are my ability to connect with people in a genuine, down-to-earth way and to create a space that feels safe, supportive, and judgment-free. I’m practical and collaborative in my approach—we’ll focus on what’s actually getting in your way and work together on realistic strategies that fit your life. Clients often tell me they appreciate my warmth, honesty, and ability to balance compassion with gentle accountability, helping them gain clarity, build confidence, and make meaningful changes at their own pace.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
People come to therapy for all kinds of reasons—feeling stressed or anxious, going through a life change, working on relationships, dealing with loss, or just needing a safe place to talk things out. My goal is to create a supportive, down-to-earth space where you feel heard, understood, and empowered—always with warmth and, when it helps, a little humor along the way.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is a core approach I use to help you understand how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected. I work collaboratively to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop more balanced, realistic ways of responding to challenges. My approach to CBT is practical, collaborative, and individualized. Together, we look at unhelpful thinking patterns and beliefs that may be contributing to stress, anxiety, depression, or feeling “stuck,” and we work to challenge and reframe them in ways that feel realistic and supportive—not forced or overly rigid.
Eclectic
Eclectic Therapy allows me to draw from multiple evidence-based approaches to meet your unique needs. I integrate techniques from therapies such as CBT, strengths-based, and solution-focused approaches, tailoring treatment to the individual rather than using a one-size-fits-all model. My approach is flexible and collaborative, focusing on what works best for you while supporting practical growth, insight, and lasting change.
Grief Therapy
Grief Therapy focuses on providing a supportive space to process loss at your own pace. I help you explore your grief experience, understand the many ways loss can show up emotionally and physically, and develop coping strategies that honor your relationship with what’s been lost while supporting healing and adjustment.
Reality Therapy
Reality Therapy focuses on helping you take practical steps toward positive change by identifying current behaviors and choices that may be interfering with your goals. I work collaboratively to increase self-awareness, strengthen personal responsibility, and support you in making meaningful, achievable changes aligned with what matters most to you.
Strength-Based
Strengths-Based Therapy focuses on identifying and building upon your existing strengths, resilience, and resources. I work collaboratively to help you recognize what’s already working, foster confidence, and use those strengths to navigate challenges and support meaningful change.