Kristine Donaldson , LCSW

Kristine Donaldson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Illinois with 14 years of experience in the mental health field. LCSW stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker and denotes clinical training in assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic intervention. She values the opportunity to support people navigating depression, anxiety, compassion fatigue, grief, trauma, and a wide range of life challenges, and approaches that work are chosen to meet each client where they are.

Kristine emphasizes building a therapeutic relationship grounded in trust and respect as the foundation for an individualized treatment plan. She is trained in and uses a variety of therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Mindfulness Therapy. These methods are applied with attention to each person’s strengths, values, and goals so that practical skills and insight can support meaningful change.

Kristine aims to collaborate with clients to identify clear goals and to adopt strategies that foster resilience, healthier relationships, and improved coping. She recognizes that reaching out for help is a courageous step and looks forward to accompanying clients through the next stage of their journey.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Kristine commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and adjust unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. CBT is practical and skills-focused, and it can be helpful for anxiety, depression, panic, and obsessive-compulsive patterns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers structured skills in emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness - useful for managing intense emotions and improving relationships. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma-focused approach that helps lessen the emotional charge of traumatic memories and supports recovery from past abuse or other distressing events.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Kristine works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and personal preferences, and she adjusts the plan as progress unfolds.

Online sessions via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging offer flexibility for busy schedules and can make it easier to access consistent support from licensed professionals. These options allow clients to engage in therapy from their own environment, fit sessions around work or family commitments, and use shorter check-ins or messaging when that format better meets their needs.