- stress management
- addiction support
- grief and loss
About Donald
Donald Essex is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in California with 12 years of clinical experience. He helps people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, bipolar symptoms, and major life changes. Sessions are aimed at making daily challenges easier to manage and at improving coping skills.
He focuses on practical problem solving. Conversations often cover triggers, routine adjustments, and small behavioral steps that fit into everyday life. He also addresses issues related to attachment, abandonment, communication problems, and codependency when these come up.
Donald has worked with people coping with chronic pain, illness, and disability as well as those navigating blended family dynamics and caregiver stress. He has experience supporting people dealing with substance use and recovery-related concerns. His background includes work with a range of mood and stress-related struggles.
In sessions he aims to create respectful and direct dialogue. He will listen to current concerns, outline possible approaches, and suggest practical tasks to try between meetings. Progress is tracked by looking at what changes feel useful and manageable.
To begin, clients follow the site matching steps to schedule a first appointment. Sessions are conducted in English and international clients are not accepted. Fees vary by location and use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How therapeutic approaches are used in online sessions
Donald describes his work as grounded in evidence-based therapeutic techniques. One common approach he uses is structured problem-solving, which breaks worries into concrete steps and helps people try small changes that reduce daily stress. This method is useful for anxiety, life adjustments, and stress-related issues.A second approach focuses on relapse prevention and coping strategies for substance use and addictive behaviors. That involves identifying high-risk situations, planning responses, and building routines that support recovery and stability.
Finding the right method is part of the work. He will review options with each person and together decide which techniques match the client's goals and preferences. That collaborative selection helps make sessions practical and relevant.
Session formats are not specified here, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, provide a quicker check-in when days are hectic, and allow sessions without the time needed to travel. For some people, audio-only meetings reduce the pressure of being on camera, while for others video supports visual connection; Donald will discuss what fits best for each client when arranging sessions.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
12+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does he help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, bipolar symptoms, and coping with life changes, plus related issues like attachment and communication problems.
What is his therapeutic style?
He uses practical, problem-focused conversations and suggests manageable steps to try between sessions.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has 12 years of professional work in mental health practice.
What are his credentials and location?
He is an LPCC practicing in California.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the US work with him?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions paid for?
Fees vary by location and services use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.