Danielle McDonaldLCSW

Danielle McDonald is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 17 years of practice. She trained at the University at Buffalo School of Social Work and has worked in inpatient and outpatient mental health and substance use settings. Danielle practices in New York and draws on broad clinical experience to support people facing life stressors.

She takes a straightforward, collaborative approach in sessions. Danielle listens with empathy and uses humor when helpful. She focuses on building a strong working relationship as the foundation for change.

Danielle commonly helps people manage anxiety, depression, stress, and substance use concerns. She also supports those dealing with parenting strain, grief, trauma and adjustments to major life changes. She works with issues around self-esteem, relationships, career stress, and compassion fatigue.

Her clinical approach adapts to each person’s needs. Danielle often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy, and will blend techniques when appropriate. She talks with clients at the start about what brought them to therapy and what goals feel most important.

Sessions are conducted with an easy-going, practical tone. Danielle aims to help people identify small, manageable steps and build skills they can use between meetings. She welcomes questions and partners with people to find what helps most.

How Danielle’s Approaches Work in Online Therapy

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and building a trusting relationship. The therapist follows the client's lead and helps people find their own solutions, which can be useful for anxiety, life changes, and parenting strain.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It teaches practical skills for managing worry, low mood, and stress through short exercises and goal setting.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Danielle will discuss your needs, goals, and preferences and then recommend or adapt methods together. That conversation shapes how sessions are structured and which techniques are tried first.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm current session options before booking. Many people find online sessions easier to fit into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when needed, or remove travel time. Talk with the therapist about what will work best for scheduling, pacing, and the kinds of exercises you want to try.