Kristine Donaldson, LCSW

Kristine Donaldson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Illinois with 14 years of experience in the mental health field. She has supported people facing depression, anxiety, compassion fatigue, trauma, grief, relationship challenges, addiction, and a range of life transitions, helping them move toward greater stability and self-understanding.

Kristine emphasizes a collaborative relationship built on respect and trust as the foundation for effective care. She works with each person to develop a treatment plan tailored to their unique needs, goals, and life circumstances. Her approach blends practical skill-building with attention to emotional experience so clients gain tools they can use between sessions.

Her clinical skill set includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to address unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to strengthen emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness, Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) to deepen connection and attachment, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for processing traumatic memories, and Mindfulness Therapy to cultivate present-moment awareness. As an LCSW Kristine holds professional training in assessment and treatment planning and draws on that background to guide care in a practical, compassionate manner.

She welcomes clients who are ready to take the next step and offers steady support while clients work toward clearer priorities, healthier coping, and improved relationships.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Kristine integrates several evidence-informed approaches to address emotional and behavioral concerns in a clear, skills-oriented way. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - or CBT - focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, making it useful for anxiety, depression, panic, and stress. Dialectical Behavior Therapy - or DBT - emphasizes emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, which can help with intense emotions, relationship strain, and problems with impulsivity. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing - EMDR - is a structured method to support processing of traumatic memories and the distress they cause.

Choosing the right therapeutic approach is a collaborative process. Kristine will work with each person to explore which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adapts care as progress is made so the treatment remains practical and relevant.

Online therapy offers practical benefits that support consistent work between sessions. Video calls allow for face-to-face connection from home, phone sessions provide an alternative when video is not possible, and live chat or text-based messaging can make it easier to access support between scheduled meetings. These options increase flexibility and help clients fit therapy into busy or changing lives while working with licensed professionals and therapists who guide the therapeutic process.