- Collaborative approach
- Skills focused
- Values driven
About Deanna
Deanna MacDonald is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Illinois who helps people facing anxiety, stress, mood concerns, and relationship strain. She supports those coping with depression, panic attacks, obsessive thinking, and struggles with self-esteem and body image. She frames therapy as a partnership and aims to meet each person where they are.
Deanna uses straightforward, practical talk in sessions. She listens first, then helps people notice patterns that get in the way of daily life. Together they set small, doable goals and skills to practice between meetings. She draws on methods that focus on thoughts, behaviors, and values to build better coping.
Her approach blends techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy alongside motivational and solution-focused strategies. That mix is used to address anxiety, panic disorder and panic attacks, mood shifts, and compulsive behaviors. Sessions often include skill practice, behavioral experiments, and clear steps to reduce symptoms with real-life tasks.
Deanna has seven years of direct psychotherapy experience. She emphasizes collaboration, respect, and compassion while working with each person’s unique needs. She helps clients find practical ways to manage stress, improve relationships, and rebuild confidence.
People interested in starting usually complete a brief matching questionnaire and schedule sessions based on availability. The initial conversations focus on immediate concerns and on building a simple plan that fits day-to-day life.
How therapy methods translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people identify what matters most and take small actions toward those values while accepting uncomfortable feelings. It can be helpful for anxiety, panic, and low mood by shifting focus from symptom control to meaningful activity. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and uses targeted exercises to change unhelpful patterns; it is commonly used for anxiety, panic attacks, and obsessive thinking. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, teaches practical skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness and can be useful when strong emotions interfere with daily life.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t worked in the past. Together they decide which methods to emphasize and adjust the plan as progress is made, so the process stays collaborative rather than fixed.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow people to do brief check-ins during work breaks or practice skills at home between meetings. Therapists can guide behavioral experiments and homework remotely, which helps carry learning into everyday life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
7+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
She supports people with anxiety, panic attacks, depression, stress, and related issues like body image and self-esteem.
What is her therapeutic style?
Therapy is collaborative and practical, with an emphasis on clear skills, small goals, and real-life practice between sessions.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has seven years of direct experience providing individual therapy in clinical settings.
What credentials and region are associated with this clinician?
She holds an LCPC credential and practices in Illinois.
Which languages are offered?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are session costs handled?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.