Donna Smith , LMHC

Donna Smith is a masters-prepared Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) based in Rochester, New York, with more than three decades of clinical experience. Trained through the University of Rochester, she has worked across a range of mental health settings and has focused much of her career on one-on-one work that supports people seeking to enhance the quality of their lives.

Alongside her clinical practice, Donna pursues creative writing and views storytelling as a therapeutic complement to counseling. She believes each person carries a collection of stories that shape their past and point toward their hopes for the future, and she uses that perspective to help clients explore meaning, values, and change.

Donna approaches therapy as a collaborative journey in which she serves as a guide and partner. She draws on established therapeutic methods and the experience gained over a long career to create an open, trusting, and hopeful connection. Her work emphasizes respect for each person s chosen path while offering practical skills and emotional support to help navigate life s transitions and challenges.

Those who work with Donna can expect a warm, thoughtful therapist who combines clinical skill with a creative sensibility to support personal growth and renewed direction.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Donna Smith

Donna Smith integrates several evidence-based methods into her online practice, tailoring them to individual needs. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on building a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship in which the client s own goals and values guide the work; it is especially helpful for people seeking a supportive space to explore identity, relationships, and life direction. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients notice difficult thoughts and feelings without being dominated by them, and then take values-driven action - it is often used for stress, anxiety, and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers practical tools to identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, making it useful for mood concerns, anxiety, and developing problem-solving skills.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Donna collaborates with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting strategies over time as progress unfolds. This collaborative stance ensures therapy remains relevant and personally meaningful.

Online sessions provide flexibility for people balancing work, family, or other commitments. Through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, licensed professionals can offer consistent support and skills practice without requiring travel. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care and fit therapy into a busy life while working toward personal goals.