- CBT methods
- Mindfulness practice
- Motivational interviewing
About Donna
Donna Sarvela is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 13 years of experience. She helps people managing stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and depression, and supports those facing life changes. Donna lists social anxiety and phobia among her focus areas. She practices in Utah and offers services in English.
Donna favors a strengths-based, client-centered way of working. Sessions focus on identifying practical steps a person can take, building on what already works, and noticing patterns that get in the way. She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to look at thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going. Mindfulness techniques are offered to help with present-moment coping and reducing reactivity.
Motivational Interviewing is used when people want to shift habits related to addiction or smoking and vaping cessation. Psychodynamic ideas are brought in to understand how past relationships and family of origin issues influence current feelings and choices. Donna combines these methods to help with mood concerns, codependency, and isolation or loneliness.
Sessions tend to focus on concrete skills and small experiments between meetings. For people struggling with guilt, shame, or forgiveness, she will explore feelings and practical ways to move forward. With trauma and abuse histories, the work proceeds at a pace set by the person and includes attention to safety and coping skills.
Getting started involves a short matching questionnaire and scheduling a first session. Fees vary by location and use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. International clients are not accepted.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and following the person's concerns. In practice this looks like checking what matters most each session and adjusting focus to the person's goals and pace.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Online CBT sessions often include simple exercises and homework to try between meetings, useful for anxiety, phobias, and mood issues.
Mindfulness Therapy teaches short practices to reduce reactivity and improve attention to the present moment. These practices can be shown and tried during a session and then repeated on your own between meetings.
Picking the right mix of methods is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the person to decide what fits their needs, goals, and preferences. That may mean trying an approach for a few sessions and adjusting based on what helps.
The biography does not list specific online formats. Confirm which session types are offered before booking. Online sessions can make scheduling easier, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. These practical benefits can help therapy fit into a busy day without promising any particular outcome.
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
13+ years
Listed in
Utah, California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma, depression, and coping with life changes. Social anxiety and phobia are listed among her focus areas.
What kind of approach does she use?
She uses a strengths-based, client-centered approach with practical tools from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness. Motivational interviewing and psychodynamic ideas are also part of her work.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 13 years of professional clinical experience working in social work roles.
Where is she licensed and based?
She holds LCSW credentials in Utah and California and practices in Utah. Sessions are conducted in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted. Sessions are offered in English for clients in her permitted jurisdictions.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Fees vary by location and are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling your first session.