Don is a very wise man and therapist. You can speak openly and honestly to him about what you think and feel and he doesn't judge you regardless of how you feel. He tries to offer the best insight that he can into the situation and help to stear you into figuring out what choices are going to be the best for you in the long run, not just in the moment. I greatly respect his opinion and advice. I feel blessed and thankful that he was one of the therapists that popped up in my selections. I would recommend him to any of my friends!
Donald Bender, LMFT
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through BetterHelp
At a glance
Donald is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.
- 4.0 stars
- Clients are very satisfied with Donald. View 1 review
- Speaks English
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in California
Recent reviews
More about Donald
- 37 years' experience
- Male
- LMFT
I have been doing individual and couple therapy for over thirty years. I use a variety of therapeutic approaches, always choosing the one that best suits the immediate needs of the client. These modalities range from psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral to narrative and existential. There is even some dream and hypnotherapy added when helpful. In addition to my clinical practice, I have extensive experience doing forensic psychology, including resolving workplace disputes, custody issues, and trial consulting. My goal is to help the client find meaningful solutions to challenging life problems.
Specialties
Stress
Anxiety
Addictions
Relationship issues
Family conflicts
Depression
LGBT
Trauma and abuse
Grief
Intimacy-related issues
Eating disorders
Sleeping disorders
Parenting issues
Anger management
Self esteem
Career difficulties
Bipolar disorder
Coping with life changes
Coaching
Compassion fatigue
ADHD
Abandonment
Antisocial personality
Attachment issues
Avoidant personality
Codependency
Commitment issues
Communication problems
Control issues
Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
Dependent personality
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
Dissociation
Divorce and separation
Domestic violence
Drug and alcohol addiction
Eating and food-related issues
Emptiness
Family of origin issues
Family problems
First responder issues
Guilt and shame
Hoarding
Impulsivity
Infidelity
Isolation / loneliness
Jealousy
Life purpose
Midlife crisis
Money and financial issues
Mood disorders
Narcissism
Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Paranoia
Personality disorders
Phobias
Postpartum depression
Post-traumatic stress
Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Self-harm
Sex addiction
Sexual assault and abuse
Smoking / vaping cessation
Social anxiety and phobia
Workplace issues
Treatment Approaches
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Existential Therapy
- Hypnotherapy
- Narrative Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Licenses
Donald Bender's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1356962310.
- LMFT · California · 16741 · Expires January 2027
About online counseling
- Affordable.
- Pay a low flat fee.
- Convenient.
- Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
- Available now.
- There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.
Online counseling, also known as teletherapy, is a method of delivering mental health services through digital means such as video conferencing, phone calls, or messaging platforms. It can be an ideal option for individuals who have difficulty accessing traditional therapy due to geographical distance, time constraints, or personal preferences like privacy and comfort. Many people find it easier to open up from the familiarity of their own space.
Teletherapy has been found to be highly effective, with studies showing that it can produce similar outcomes to in-person therapy, particularly for issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The flexibility and accessibility it offers make it a valuable alternative to conventional therapy settings.
Reviews for Donald Bender
All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.
Overall rating:
Don is a very wise man and therapist. You can speak openly and honestly to him about what you think and feel and he doesn't judge you regardless of how you feel. He tries to offer the best insight that he can into the situation and help to stear you into figuring out what choices are going to be the best for you in the long run, not just in the moment. I greatly respect his opinion and advice. I feel blessed and thankful that he was one of the therapists that popped up in my selections. I would recommend him to any of my friends!
Frequently asked questions
Does Donald Bender offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Donald Bender works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does Donald Bender speak?
Donald Bender speaks English.
How many years of experience does Donald Bender have?
Donald Bender has 37 years of experience.
Where is Donald Bender licensed to practice?
Donald Bender is licensed to practice in California.
Does Donald Bender accept clients outside of the United States?
No, Donald Bender does not accept clients outside of the United States.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does Donald Bender offer?
Donald Bender offers clients Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Existential Therapy, Hypnotherapy, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy.
How can I communicate with Donald Bender?
Donald Bender can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with Donald Bender?
Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.