- Values focused work
- CBT and ACT strategies
- Coaching oriented sessions
About Donna
Donna Jeane Pappas is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in North Carolina with 32 years of experience. She works with people who feel stuck or uncertain after life changes, including stress, anxiety, grief, career shifts, parenting challenges, and concerns about life purpose. She often supports those coping with major health issues, caregiving, or significant loss.
Her way of working leans more toward coaching than traditional psychotherapy. Sessions are collaborative and forward-focused. The emphasis is on clarifying goals, building on strengths, and identifying practical steps that matter now.
Donna uses several evidence-based methods to guide the work. She draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients notice what matters and take values-driven action. She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and Client-Centered principles to keep conversations grounded in the client’s perspective.
She brings long experience supporting people through life-stage transitions such as retirement, empty nesting, and career change. Her background includes work with people facing serious illness, hospice and end-of-life concerns, and blended family or caregiver stress. The focus remains on concrete strategies for daily life rather than lengthy past-focused analysis.
Those considering sessions with Donna complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first meeting to see if the approach fits. She works in a practical, respectful manner aimed at helping people move toward clearer next steps.
How therapeutic approaches guide online sessions
Donna often uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help people identify what matters most to them and take small, values-based steps. ACT focuses on accepting difficult feelings while moving toward meaningful activity, which can be useful for midlife transitions, grief, and questions about life purpose.She also incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to spot and change unhelpful thought patterns. CBT provides clear tools for managing anxiety, depression, and stress by testing beliefs and practicing new ways of thinking and behaving. Client-Centered principles keep the work grounded in the client’s priorities and pacing, letting conversations shape the direction of practical work.
Deciding which approach to use is part of the early sessions. The therapist collaborates with the client to match methods to goals, preferences, and everyday constraints. This can mean blending techniques from ACT and CBT while focusing on concrete, short-term steps.
The original biography does not list specific session formats here, so confirm current online options before booking. Many people choose online work because it fits around work, medical appointments, caregiving, or travel. Online sessions can make it easier to schedule shorter check-ins, avoid commuting, and keep momentum between in-person commitments. Licensed professionals can help adapt exercises and tools so the work fits into daily life.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
32+ years
Listed in
North Carolina
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, grief, self-esteem, life transitions, career questions, relationship and intimacy-related issues, parenting challenges, and life purpose concerns.
How would she approach feeling stuck?
Her style is collaborative and more coaching-oriented than traditional psychotherapy. The focus is on clarifying goals, using practical strategies, and taking steps that align with the client’s values.
How much experience does she have?
She has 32 years of professional experience working in clinical counseling and related settings.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) licensed in North Carolina.
Does she work with nonlocal or international clients?
Sessions are offered to international clients as well as people in the United States; sessions are conducted in English.
What session formats are offered?
Current session formats are not specified here; please confirm the available options before booking.
How does pricing work?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.