- Anxiety and panic
- Grief and loss
- Parenting concerns
About Dona
Dona Abbinante is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California with 31 years of practice. She works with people who are facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting struggles, and depression. She also addresses concerns such as divorce and separation, isolation and loneliness, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress, social anxiety and phobia, and women's issues.
Dona focuses on practical conversation and steady support. She treats clients as the expert of their own story and helps them notice strengths that can be used when challenges feel overwhelming. Sessions are paced to the person, with straightforward talk and problem-focused steps when those are useful.
Her approach centers on helping people build clearer ways to cope with strong feelings and difficult situations. That can mean learning small skills to reduce panic, working through painful memories, or finding ways to manage daily stress and caregiving demands. She also helps people respond to major life changes such as separation or loss.
Dona draws on many years of experience across varied clinical settings. She listens for what is working and what gets in the way, and then tests different practical strategies together. The aim is to create manageable change rather than quick fixes.
People who meet with her can expect calm, direct conversation and a focus on real-life steps. To begin, she asks about immediate concerns, current routines, and what the person wants to accomplish in therapy.
Using common evidence-based techniques in online sessions
Two useful approaches she uses are practical skills training and trauma-focused work. Practical skills training teaches short, concrete techniques to manage anxiety symptoms, reduce panic, and handle stressful moments. Trauma-focused work slows down difficult memories and helps people develop safer ways to respond to reminders and triggers.She also relies on supportive problem-focused talk to clarify current challenges and test small changes. That style helps when someone needs to manage parenting stress, a recent loss, or relationship shifts after separation. These descriptions are broad; the therapist and client decide together which methods fit best based on needs and goals.
Online sessions can help therapy fit into busy routines. They make it possible to meet without a commute, schedule a shorter check-in during a break, or choose a session format that reduces the need to be on camera. The exact session formats offered should be confirmed before booking so the client knows what to expect. Dona will collaborate with each person to select approaches and practical arrangements that suit their life and goals.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
31+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
Dona helps people managing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting challenges, and depression. She also works with issues like divorce, isolation, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress, social anxiety and phobia, and women's issues.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is practical and conversational. She treats clients as experts on their own lives and focuses on usable skills and clear next steps.
How long has she been practicing?
She has 31 years of professional experience working in clinical settings and with individual clients.
Where is she licensed and based?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in California.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.