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Donna Smith, LMHC

Experienced mental health professional

Provides online counseling through BetterHelp

At a glance

Donna is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.

4.5 stars
Clients are very satisfied with Donna. View 19 reviews
Speaks English
Offers Telehealth visits
Licensed in New York

Recent reviews

I look forward to my weekly appointment with Donna. She helped me set firm boundaries and accept myself. I stopped shape-shifting to get accepted. I wake up excited to see what’s going to happen instead of dreading contact with anyone, even on the phone. I went from being isolated and anxious to being irresistible and flexible.

Reviewed June 2024

A very kind and thoughtful women. Listens and provides helpful advice. Really helping me wi the problems at hand.

Reviewed April 2024

More about Donna

  • 35 years' experience
  • Female
  • LMHC

Hi, welcome to Better Help.

My name is Donna Smith. I am a masters prepared licensed Mental Health Counselor in Rochester NY. I received my counselor training through the University of Rochester .

I have 30 plus years of experience working in a variety of mental health settings, however, my passion is to work one on one with individuals who are looking to enhance the quality of their life.

In addition to providing confidential, compassionate mental health therapy my other passion is creative writing. I see these two areas blending in beautiful ways. I believe we each have within us a collection of tales that together create a unique and colorful story of the life we've lived thus far as well as the dreams that we've laid before us.

I would be honored to travel with you for a time on your personal journey. I have always seen my myself as a 'guide' in this process. My role as therapist would be to join with you in partnership working together to realize the future you have imagined.

I will offer you the opportunity for a genuine, open, trusting and hope-filled connection should you choose me as your therapist and therapeutic partner.

The path we take will be of your choosing. I am committed to walking beside you and offering the experience gained through my own life as well as the skills I've learned throughout my career as a therapist.

Your decision to enter into this journey is a brave one - CONGRATULATIONS!

I look forward to accompanying you in a supportive, non-judgmental manner to your destination.

Of note: If you are looking at my availability to secure an appointment time and don't see what you're looking for please message me and I will do my best to accommodate your needs.

Specialties

Stress Anxiety LGBT Relationship issues Grief Depression Addictions Family conflicts Trauma and abuse Intimacy-related issues Parenting issues Anger management Self esteem Bipolar disorder Coping with life changes Compassion fatigue ADHD Abandonment Aging and geriatric issues Attachment issues Codependency Commitment issues Communication problems Control issues Dependent personality Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) Divorce and separation Emptiness Family of origin issues Family problems Forgiveness Gender dysphoria Guilt and shame Impulsivity Infidelity Isolation / loneliness Jealousy Life purpose Mood disorders Narcissism Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD Personality disorders Prejudice and discrimination Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Self-harm Self-love Sexuality Social anxiety and phobia Women's issues Workplace issues

Treatment Approaches

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Client-Centered Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
  • Mindfulness Therapy
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Narrative Therapy
  • Solution-Focused Therapy
  • Internal Family Systems

Licenses

Donna Smith's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1538374947.

  • LMHC · New York · 001003 · Expires December 2026

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 allows you to receive care from a mental health practitioner via phone, video chat, or instant messaging. It is convenient for those who may have trouble getting to or would prefer not to have in-person therapy appointments. Starting at $65 per week, online counseling is generally more affordable than in-person counseling. A study by researchers at University of California, Berkeley found that online counseling can be just as effective as face-to-face therapy while being more convenient, affordable, and accessible.

Reviews for Donna Smith

All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.

Overall rating:

4.5

19 reviews

5
4
3
2
1

Clients mention: Great Helping Thoughtful Great listener Amazing Grateful Helped Helpful Listens Support

I look forward to my weekly appointment with Donna. She helped me set firm boundaries and accept myself. I stopped shape-shifting to get accepted. I wake up excited to see what’s going to happen instead of dreading contact with anyone, even on the phone. I went from being isolated and anxious to being irresistible and flexible.

Reviewed June 2024

A very kind and thoughtful women. Listens and provides helpful advice. Really helping me wi the problems at hand.

Reviewed April 2024

She's helping more than she knows

Reviewed March 2024

This is early days, Donna and I have only just begun. I sense she is listening, trying to understand me, and with time will offer informed and astute contributions. I’d prefer it if our contact was easier, but this is my fault not Donna’s (or that of Pride Counselling) as I think she could be a great ally.

Reviewed November 2021

Donna is an amazing therapist. She listens and takes the time to get to know her patients in the most understanding way possible. She has helped me immensely through really hard times.

Reviewed December 2023

Donna helps me change, manage or cope with the screwballs life throws at me. I trust her and her judgment implicitly and somehow, magically, she helps me arrive at the correct action steps to take - and they come out of my mouth, not hers, with her guidance and support.

Reviewed September 2023

Donna is my much-needed reality check. She can sort through my chaos with exactly the right amount of compassion sprinkled with a little humor.

Reviewed February 2023

Our last session we focused more on my wife’s physical health than my mental health. I felt this was unprofessional. As she is not my wife’s medical care giver and I can’t answer for my wife’s medical history I don’t think it was appropriate to ask me about or speak on my wife’s health. She also gave medical advice about my wife without being her client or patient. I feel like the conversation was steered towards my wife’s weight and health and not my mental health.

Reviewed February 2023

Donna has made me feel more comfortable in a month than therapists I’ve seen for years. Donna is a great listener, suggests things and opens my thoughts to a path I’ve never experienced. I appreciate Donnas help and expertise.

Reviewed January 2023

Donna Smith has been very thoughtful and collaborative during our conversations. She is. I appreciate her calm presence, listening skills, honesty and expertise. Even when I don’t have anything to talk about Donna makes our sessions rewarding. Thank you for keeping me accountable and providing helpful resources.

Reviewed January 2023

I’ve only had one session but Donna has been professional and a great listener.

Reviewed December 2022

Donna Smith has literally be instrumental in saving my life. The journey I have been with her in the last year has been one of healing and growth. I am forever grateful for her.

Reviewed November 2022

Yhe quality of my mental health I feel has improved since partnering with Donna, shes come to know me well, shes a great listener and understands and is a great support system. I appreciate her expertise. I would recommend BetterHelp to anyone that need help.

Reviewed November 2022

Donna is very easy to talk to & is helping me through a very difficult time.

Reviewed September 2022

Donna is truly an amazing therapist.

Reviewed August 2022

I’m a man of few words, Donna is superb.

Reviewed June 2022

Best therapist I’ve ever had!

Reviewed May 2022

Donna is extremely thoughtful and direct. We’ve been able to quickly pinpoint my goals and I feel fully supported in working through them. I feel grateful to be working with her!!

Reviewed January 2022

Knowledgeable and straight to the point. Feel like I’ve gotten more out of a few session than a lifetime of therapy

Reviewed September 2021

How was your experience with Donna?

Frequently asked questions

Does Donna Smith offer telehealth visits?

Yes. Donna Smith 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 Donna Smith speak?

Donna Smith speaks English.

How many years of experience does Donna Smith have?

Donna Smith has 35 years of experience.

Where is Donna Smith licensed to practice?

Donna Smith is licensed to practice in New York.

Does Donna Smith accept clients outside of the United States?

No, Donna Smith 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 Donna Smith offer?

Donna Smith offers clients Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Internal Family Systems.

How can I communicate with Donna Smith?

Donna Smith 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 Donna Smith?

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.

Messaging
Live Chat
Phone
Video

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.