Donna’s perspective of therapy is as diverse as the community that she serves.Her work with individuals is geared to strengthen their sense of self.She works with couples and families to help them create greater intimacy and connection with one another.She also facilitates peer support groups and small intimate therapeutic groups. Her keen focus on marginalized communities has Donna in great demand as a lecturer and presenter at conferences, universities and health and human service organizations. Donna’s personal therapeutic model is a combination of Rogerian (person-centered therapy), the Empowerment Approach (connection between "social and economic justice" and "individual pain and suffering"), Family Systems Theory (connected to a living system); and Feminist Theory (gender and related concepts remain central to feminist social work theory).With this blend, the entire overarching concepts are framed in a strengths perspective. Donna's concepts have developed through her experience facilitating groups over the last eleven years within the transgender community. A recent trend in therapy has been various online therapeutic modalities. Donna has conducted therapy sessions using Skype (Online Video Chat Sessions).While it does not replace the one on one experience, it allows for a therapeutic relationship to remote areas and those who travel often. In a study published by the journal Psychiatric Services, patients receiving mental health treatment through video conferencing reported "high levels of satisfaction" (Frueh, C., et. al., 2000).One article in Newsweek (2006) reported that recovering addicts might benefit from online therapy, especially for those who feel uncomfortable attending traditional face-to-face support groups.
In September 2008 she joined the Freedman Center team to combine four compassionate, passionate and dedicated social workers under one roof. Please click on Donna's image to send her an email for further information about her practice and availability.
