Donald Bender, LMFT
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through Talkspace
Checking Donald’s availability...
At a glance
Donald is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, Talkspace.
- FSA/HSA accepted
- Great news, Donald is accepting new clients!
- He is normally fully-booked.
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in California
More about Donald
- 44 years' experience
- Male
- LMFT
As a highly experienced therapist with over 36 years of practice, I offer empathic and caring support to individuals and couples seeking to improve their lives. My approach is personalized to each client, carefully choosing from a range of therapeutic modalities, including psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, narrative, and family therapy, among others. When appropriate, dream and hypnotherapy can also be incorporated to enhance the therapeutic journey. In my professional practice, I have successfully treated various conditions, including anxiety, depression, family trauma, addiction, ADHD, and workplace disputes. My ultimate goal is to empower clients to find meaningful solutions to life's challenges, knowing that they will have my unwavering support every step of the way.
Specialties
Insurance Accepted
- Aetna
- Alignment Health Plan
- Allegiance
- Afterwood Advantage
- Anthem Blue Cross California
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Indiana
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Kentucky
- Empire BlueCross BlueShield
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Virginia
- Asuris
- AvMed
- Florida Blue
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas
- Blue Cross of Idaho
- BridgeSpan
- Anthem
- Cigna
- ConnectiCare
- District 9
- EmblemHealth
- First Choice Health
- Health First
- Health Management Administrators
- HealthSelect of Texas
- Horizon NJ
- Intercultural Physicians Network
- Kelsey Care
- LifeWise
- Mass General Brigham Health Plan
- Medica
- Medicare
- Meritain
- Optum
- Oscar Health
- Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska
- Premera Blue Cross of Washington
- Providence Health Plan
- Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Rocky Mountain Health Plan
- UnitedHealthcare
- Sutter Health Plan
- Tricare
- Tyson Health Plan
- UMR
- Ventura County Health Care Plan
- Western Health Advantage
Treatment Approaches
- Cognitive behavioral (CBT)
- Existential
- Family systems
- Family/maritial
- Forensic psychology
- Narrative
- Psychodynamic
About online healthcare
- Affordable.
- Pay a simple copay with insurance (often $30 or less). No insurance? Self-pay plans start around $69 per week with predictable pricing.
- Convenient.
- Get support on your terms. Message your therapist anytime and schedule live video, audio, or chat sessions when you need real-time care.
- Available now.
- No waitlists. No phone calls. Complete a quick online assessment and start connecting with a licensed therapist fast.
Talkspace makes professional mental health care easy to access and easy to fit into your life. Whether you prefer ongoing messaging support or live therapy sessions, Talkspace connects you with licensed providers through a secure, easy-to-use platform. With flexible formats, insurance coverage, and proven effectiveness, Talkspace offers a modern alternative to traditional in-person therapy.
Get started today and take the first step toward feeling better.
Reviews for Donald Bender
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 44 years of experience.
Where is Donald Bender licensed to practice?
Donald Bender is licensed to practice in California.
Does Donald Bender accept FSA/HSA?
Yes, Donald Bender accepts FSA/HSA meaning you can pay for sessions with your pre-tax healthcare dollars. Every year hundreds of thousands of people use their FSA/HSA to pay for therapy.
Does Donald Bender accept insurance?
Yes, Donald Bender accepts Aetna, Alignment Health Plan, Allegiance, Afterwood Advantage, Anthem Blue Cross California, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Indiana, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Kentucky, Empire BlueCross BlueShield, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Virginia, Asuris, AvMed, Florida Blue, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Blue Cross of Idaho, BridgeSpan, Anthem, Cigna, ConnectiCare, District 9, EmblemHealth, First Choice Health, Health First, Health Management Administrators, HealthSelect of Texas, Horizon NJ, Intercultural Physicians Network, Kelsey Care, LifeWise, Mass General Brigham Health Plan, Medica, Medicare, Meritain, Optum, Oscar Health, Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska, Premera Blue Cross of Washington, Providence Health Plan, Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield, Rocky Mountain Health Plan, UnitedHealthcare, Sutter Health Plan, Tricare, Tyson Health Plan, UMR, Ventura County Health Care Plan, and Western Health Advantage.
Does Donald Bender accept clients outside of the United States?
Yes, Donald Bender accepts 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 [a major teletherapy service] experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does Donald Bender offer?
Donald Bender offers clients Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Narrative Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy.
How can I communicate with Donald Bender?
Donald Bender can be engaged in any one of three ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, or (3) 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 BOOK 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.