Dorothy Russell, LISW, LCSW - Therapist in Ohio

Stress and anxiety
Addictions and trauma
Values based work

About Dorothy

Dorothy Russell is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with seven years of professional experience. She is based in Ohio and works with adults facing stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, depression, and major life changes. Dorothy also focuses on concerns such as abandonment, adoption and foster care matters, caregiver stress, family of origin issues, and questions about life purpose.

Dorothy uses clear, practical conversation to help people talk through what feels stuck. She listens without judgment and encourages honest, direct discussion about feelings and choices. Sessions focus on identifying immediate steps that can reduce distress and on building skills for managing difficult moments.

Her approach draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Client-Centered Therapy, with elements of Motivational Interviewing and Solution-Focused Therapy. That mix is used to notice unhelpful thoughts, test new behaviors, and set small, achievable goals. Dorothy explains concepts in plain language and practices techniques together with the person in session.

People often come to her when they are coping with grief, postpartum depression, isolation, or the aftermath of abuse. She also helps with communication problems, impulsivity, guilt, and multicultural concerns. Sessions are aimed at practical change rather than labels or promises.

For someone unsure what comes next after a job change, relationship shift, or health event, Dorothy helps clarify immediate options and next steps. She guides each person toward workable strategies for day-to-day life while considering longer-term values and purpose.

Therapeutic approaches used for online sessions

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice painful thoughts and feelings without trying to chase them away, then choose actions that match their values. It can be useful for anxiety, depression, and for people questioning life purpose.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and testing different behaviors to reduce symptoms. CBT is commonly used for stress, anxiety, and depression through short practical exercises.

Dorothy treats finding the right approach as collaborative work. She will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn't helped in the past. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan based on what feels most useful.

Confirm the exact online session options before booking, as formats are not specified in the biography. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, allow shorter check-ins when time is limited, and reduce travel time. Licensed professionals can use these formats to focus on practical skills, values work, and problem-solving that translate into everyday routines.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Addictions Trauma and abuse Depression Coping with life changes

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careBlended family issues Caregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsGuilt and shameImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMulticultural concernsPostpartum depressionPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSmoking / vaping cessationWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Motivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

7+ years

Listed in

Maryland, Delaware, Ohio

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she help with?

She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, depression, and coping with life changes. Additional focuses include caregiver stress, family of origin issues, and life purpose.

How would she approach someone feeling stuck?

She uses plain conversation to identify what feels blocked and to set small, practical steps. Techniques come from ACT, CBT, and client-centered methods to test changes and notice results.

What is her background and experience?

She has seven years of professional social work experience. Her practice includes work with trauma, postpartum depression, addictions, and communication problems.

Which credentials and region apply to her practice?

She holds the credentials LISW and LCSW and is based in Ohio. The biography lists licensure in OH LISW and DE LCSW.

Which languages are used in sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Does she work with international clients?

International clients are not currently accepted.

How does payment work and what does it cost?

Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Exact fees depend on the matched arrangement.

What are the first steps to begin?

Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session. That process connects you to the initial appointment and notes.

Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.