Donna Johnson, LCSW

Donna Johnson is a licensed clinician in New York with 40 years of hands-on experience supporting people through complex emotional and life challenges. As an LCSW - a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - she combines long-term clinical skill with a compassionate, person-centered approach to issues such as depression, anxiety, self-esteem concerns, substance use and addiction, and life transitions.

She offers tailored care for diverse communities, with particular attention to LGBTQ+ clients and older adults seeking meaningful therapeutic connection. Her work emphasizes self-care, self-love, life purpose, and resilience, helping clients heal from past trauma, reduce isolation, and strengthen emotional skills while honoring each individual’s cultural background.

Donna integrates practical tools that draw on mind-body connections, including attention to the roles of dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins through holistic activities. She also uses therapeutic humor and guided affirmations to help reframe negative thoughts, release tension and build perspective. Her collaborative counseling style focuses on personalized goals, encouraging clients to discover renewed strength and potential.

Available to clients in New York and to international clients, Donna Johnson is committed to walking alongside people as they turn difficult experiences into opportunities for growth, healing and greater self-discovery.

Practical Approaches for Online Healing and Growth

Donna Johnson uses accessible, evidence-informed techniques adapted for remote care. She emphasizes cognitive reframing to help clients identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns, a strategy that supports work on anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. She also employs activity-based mood strategies that draw on the body’s natural reward and bonding systems - using everyday practices to influence dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins in ways that can improve motivation and connection. Additionally, she integrates therapeutic humor and guided affirmations to reduce tension, build resilience and encourage self-love.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Donna works collaboratively with each person to determine what methods fit their needs, goals and preferences, adjusting techniques over time so therapy remains personalized and effective.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone, live chat or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for busy schedules and for clients who are not local. These options make it easier to access consistent care, maintain momentum between sessions, and engage in therapy from a place that feels comfortable to the client while working with a licensed professional.