Donna Handy

I believe therapy works best when people feel genuinely seen, heard, and accepted without judgment. Along with my professional experience in community mental health and crisis-based work, I also bring lived experience that helps me connect with clients in a compassionate, authentic, and down-to-earth way. I understand how overwhelming life can feel when someone is navigating trauma, chronic stress, medical challenges, major life changes, or simply trying to keep everything together while struggling internally.

I have experience supporting adults dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, emotional overwhelm, substance use concerns, and severe and persistent mental illness. I’m especially passionate about working with people impacted by difficult life experiences, medical trauma, chronic illness, caregiver stress, and emotional exhaustion.

My goal is to create a space where clients feel safe, comfortable, respected, and truly understood while working toward healing, growth, and a stronger connection with themselves.

My approach to therapy is warm, collaborative, and tailored to each person’s unique experiences and needs. I believe meaningful change happens when people feel genuinely supported, understood, and empowered to explore both the challenges they’re facing and the strengths they already possess.

I integrate EMDR, CBT, person-centered therapy, strengths-based approaches, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care to help clients process difficult experiences, develop healthier coping skills, and build resilience. My goal is not only to reduce symptoms, but also to help clients gain deeper self-understanding and create lasting change.

I work with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, emotional overwhelm, life transitions, medical trauma, chronic illness, caregiver stress, and substance use concerns. Faith, spirituality, and personal values are always welcome parts of the conversation when they are important to the client and their healing journey.

I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients can feel heard, challenged when appropriate, and supported as they move toward their goals.

Starting therapy can feel intimidating, so my goal during the first session is to create a space where clients feel comfortable, supported, and never judged. We’ll spend time getting to know each other, talking about what’s been going on in your life, what brought you to therapy, and what you hope to gain from the process.

You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting therapy, and there’s no pressure to share more than you’re ready to. My approach is relaxed, compassionate, and collaborative. Together, we’ll begin identifying goals, exploring patterns that may be contributing to stress or emotional pain, and discussing what support may look like moving forward.

My hope is that clients leave the first session feeling heard, understood, and a little less alone in what they’re carrying.