Donna Handy, LMHC

Donna Handy is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) who supports adults coping with medical trauma, chronic illness, major health events, anxiety, grief, and life transitions. As a two-time transplant survivor, she brings personal understanding to work with people facing diagnoses, hospitalization, transplant, disability, or other life-changing experiences, and she helps clients make sense of the emotional impact those events can bring.

Drawing on a master’s degree in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling, Donna focuses on creating a compassionate, strengths-based space where clients can process difficult experiences, discover coping skills, and build resilience. She uses evidence-based methods including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and EMDR-informed interventions to tailor care to each person’s needs and goals. Her aim is to help clients move forward with increased confidence and hope.

For clients who wish to include spiritual perspectives, Donna welcomes conversations about faith and can incorporate Christian beliefs and values into the therapeutic process. She emphasizes collaborative work, meeting people where they are and supporting growth through practical strategies and empathetic guidance.

Evidence-Based Approaches for Online Medical and Life Transitions Care

Donna frequently integrates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) into online sessions to help clients identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. CBT is practical and skills-focused, useful for anxiety, adjustment to medical conditions, and daily coping.

She also employs EMDR-informed techniques to address trauma-related memories and their emotional impact. EMDR-informed interventions can help reduce distress tied to specific traumatic events and support emotional processing in a paced, client-centered way.

Motivational interviewing (MI) is used when clients face difficult decisions or need support initiating change. MI emphasizes collaboration and elicits personal motivation, which can be especially helpful when adjusting to health changes or setting meaningful goals.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process, and Donna works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. Together they evaluate progress and adjust strategies as therapy unfolds.

Online therapy with Donna is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for those managing medical appointments, fluctuating energy, or busy schedules. These options make it easier to maintain consistent care while accessing licensed professionals from home or wherever clients are most comfortable.