- 31 years experience
- California LCSW
- Panic and anxiety focus
About Dona
Dona Abbinante is a licensed clinical social worker with 31 years of experience in California. She focuses on helping people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, grief, depression, and parenting challenges. Dona emphasizes practical, steady support while clients work toward clearer days and more manageable routines.
She approaches therapy as a collaborative process. Dona starts by listening to each person's story and identifying strengths they already have. She encourages small steps and realistic goals so progress feels doable rather than daunting.
Her background includes long work with people who have experienced trauma, abuse, and difficult life transitions like divorce and separation. She also supports those coping with isolation, social anxiety, mood struggles, and panic-related concerns such as panic disorder and panic attacks.
Dona aims to make sessions a place for problem solving, skill building, and emotional processing. She helps clients practice strategies for calming anxiety, handling grief, and improving day-to-day parenting demands. The work often mixes short-term coping tools with planning for longer-term change.
If someone is thinking about starting, Dona asks about what matters most to them and what would make a helpful first step. She uses a respectful, steady style and focuses on practical changes the client can try between sessions.
Therapeutic techniques and how they work online
Many clinicians use evidence-based techniques to address anxiety and panic by teaching skills and practicing them together. One common approach teaches breathing and grounding exercises plus step-by-step exposure to feared sensations to reduce panic responses over time. Another common method focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and trying different, more balanced thoughts to lower anxiety and lift mood.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will listen to your goals and preferences and collaborate on which methods to try first. That choice can change as you learn what helps and what feels comfortable.
The original biography does not list specific session formats, so please confirm available options before booking. Many people find online sessions helpful for fitting therapy around parenting, work, and other daily tasks. Online work can make it easier to keep appointments during busy weeks, allow shorter check-ins when needed, or avoid travel time so more focus stays on the therapeutic work itself.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
31+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Dona most often help with?
She works with people facing stress, anxiety, grief, trauma and parenting issues. Additional focus areas include mood disorders, panic disorder and panic attacks, social anxiety, and women's issues.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is collaborative and practical. She listens first, highlights client strengths, and helps set manageable goals and coping steps.
What is her professional background?
She has 31 years of professional work experience supporting people through loss, trauma, anxiety, and life transitions.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a California LCSW, which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and practices in California.
In which languages are sessions offered?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not specify session formats. Confirm current session options before booking to know whether phone or video sessions are offered.
How are costs and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.