Donna Ward

I'm Donna Ward, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 25 years of experience providing evidence-based psychotherapy to adolescents, adults, older adults, and their families.

I earned my Master of Social Work at Fordham University in New York and became licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in Connecticut in 2013. My professional path has taken me through some of the most vulnerable moments in people's lives — from private practice psychotherapy to specialized roles in geriatric psychiatry, hospice, and palliative care. That range has shaped how I show up in the therapy room today: as someone who takes context seriously, meets people where they are, and doesn't rush the work.

I treat a wide range of concerns — depression and anxiety, ADHD, PTSD and trauma, family and relationship challenges, addiction, and the emotional weight of chronic illness, caregiving, grief, and life transitions. I bring particular depth to work with older adults and their families navigating aging, memory changes, and end-of-life concerns.

What clients often tell me they appreciate most is that I actually listen. I take time. I ask questions to understand the whole picture — your history, relationships, culture, and values — not just what's on the surface. And I'm honest with you about what I see and what I think might help.

If you're looking for a therapist who is warm, experienced, and unhurried, I'd be honored to work with you.

My approach is collaborative, evidence-based, and warm. I don't follow a one-size-fits-all framework — instead, I draw from the modalities that will actually help you: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based practices, motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, and psychodynamic and supportive psychotherapy.

I'm trauma-informed and culturally competent, and I bring particular experience working with life transitions, grief, caregiver stress, and the emotional demands of chronic illness — alongside the more common concerns of depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, and family and relationship challenges.

What ties it all together: I believe therapy should feel like a real conversation, not a script. My job is to understand your goals, meet you where you are, and help you build practical, sustainable ways to feel better. We work at your pace. You'll always know what we're doing and why. And I'll tell you honestly what I think — including when a different approach might serve you better.

I also believe in coordinated care. If you're working with a psychiatric provider, a primary care physician, or other specialists, I'll want to communicate with them — with your permission — so we're all moving in the same direction.

Our first session (typically 60 minutes) is a conversation — not a formal interview or an interrogation. We'll spend the time getting to know each other so I can understand what brought you in and what you're hoping to work on.

I'll ask about:

— What's happening currently and what led you to seek therapy now

— Your background, including relationships, work, and any prior mental health care

— What you've tried before, what's helped, and what hasn't

— Your goals

— both what you want to feel differently and what you want to be able to do differently

You'll also have plenty of space to ask me questions — about how I work, what a typical session looks like, or anything else that would help you decide if we're a good fit.

By the end of the session, we'll have a shared understanding of your priorities and a preliminary sense of how we might work together going forward. There's no pressure to commit to ongoing therapy right away. Some people schedule a next session immediately; others take a few days to think it over. Either is fine.

Above all, I want you to leave the first session feeling heard, respected, and clearer about what comes next.