- Anxiety and panic
- Skill focused
- Goal oriented
About Kristine
Kristine Donaldson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, based in Illinois with 14 years of experience as a practicing therapist. She focuses on common struggles like anxiety, depression, stress, and panic-related concerns. She aims to build a trusting relationship where people feel heard and respected.
Her approach is practical and down to earth. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. She also draws on Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills to teach emotion regulation and distress tolerance. Mindfulness techniques are woven into sessions to help people stay present and reduce overwhelm.
Kristine also incorporates Emotionally-Focused Therapy ideas to clarify relational patterns and improve connection. For people with trauma histories she uses Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing as one option among others to process upsetting memories. She pairs evidence-based techniques with motivational interviewing when people need help making lasting changes.
Sessions are collaborative and paced to each person's needs. Kristine helps people set clear goals and practices simple skills between meetings. She often focuses on small, doable steps that fit into a busy life.
To start, she asks people to complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule based on availability. The work emphasizes practical coping, clearer thinking, and building routines that support recovery and daily functioning.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online care
CBT, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and changing behavior patterns that keep anxiety and panic going. It uses concrete exercises such as thought records and behavioral experiments that can be practiced between sessions.DBT, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, teaches skills for managing intense emotions and reducing impulsive reactions. It emphasizes emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and practical coping tools people can use in stressful moments.
EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, offers a structured way to process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional charge. When appropriate, EMDR is used alongside other approaches to help people move past distress tied to past events.
Finding the right approach is part of the therapy process. The therapist will work collaboratively to match methods to a person's goals, needs, and preferences, and will adjust the plan as progress is made. This is a team effort and clients help decide what feels most useful.
If you are considering online sessions, confirm the available session formats before booking since the profile does not list them. Online care can make attending therapy easier by fitting sessions into busy schedules, reducing travel time, and allowing for shorter check-ins when needed. It also makes it simpler to practice skills in the situations where they matter most, such as during a work break or between appointments.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
14+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Kristine often help with?
She addresses a wide range of issues including anxiety, depression, stress, panic disorder and panic attacks, trauma and grief, relationship and communication problems, and workplace struggles.
What is her therapy style like?
Her style is collaborative and practical, focusing on clear goals, skill practice, and steps people can use between sessions.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Kristine has 14 years of experience as a practicing clinician in mental health settings.
What credentials and location are on file?
She is listed as an LCSW and practices in Illinois.
Which languages are supported and can she work with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are offered?
The original profile does not specify session formats; confirm current options before booking so you know what formats are available.
How are fees and payment 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?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.