Profile / United States
Donna Smith, LCSW
Louisiana
LCSW - Stress and relationship concerns
See online therapy options- CBT techniques
- Mindfulness practice
- Gottman methods
About Donna
Donna Smith is an LCSW with 38 years of clinical experience based in Louisiana. She helps people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, family conflict, trauma and abuse, and postpartum depression. She also focuses on problems that arise from prejudice and discrimination.
She spent much of her career working in medical and psychiatric settings. That background means she is used to seeing how emotional and physical health affect each other. Sessions are practical and focused on everyday problems that make life harder.
Her approach draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, client-centered methods, the Gottman Method for relationships, and mindfulness practices. In a session she will notice unhelpful thoughts, test different responses, and practice small behavioral changes. The work is structured and step-by-step rather than vague or purely conversational.
Donna often helps people untangle traumatic experiences from current symptoms. She uses narrative ideas to help people tell their story in a way that reduces its hold on day-to-day life. For relationship concerns she brings techniques that clarify interaction patterns and suggest concrete changes.
People who choose her generally want clear tools they can use between sessions. To start, prospective clients complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session. Confirm the current session options before booking.
How CBT, ACT and client-centered work in online sessions
Donna uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot unhelpful thoughts and try alternative ways of thinking and acting. CBT is useful for anxiety, depression, and stress because it breaks problems into small, testable steps. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy focuses on noticing thoughts and values, and choosing actions that align with what matters despite uncomfortable feelings. Client-centered methods prioritize the person's own goals and perspectives, with the therapist following the client's lead to clarify concerns.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Donna will talk with each person about their goals and preferences and suggest a mix of methods. The method can change as needs shift, and she will check in regularly to see what is working.
The original biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm current session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Many people find that structured CBT exercises and mindfulness practices adapt well to remote sessions, and Gottman-based tools can be used to practice new interaction patterns between meetings.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
38+ years
Listed in
Louisiana
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she address?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family conflict, trauma and abuse, and postpartum depression. She also focuses on issues related to prejudice and discrimination.
How does she use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
She uses CBT to identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, then tests small changes in thinking and action. Sessions are practical and include techniques to practice between meetings.
What is her background and experience?
She has 38 years of experience, much of it in medical and psychiatric settings. That history informs how she links emotional and physical health in treatment.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is an LCSW licensed in Louisiana. Her practice is located in Louisiana.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin the process?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.