Dr. Eleanor Donaghue

I began my journey as a therapist after earning my Ph.D. from Catholic University of America. I taught graduate school counseling classes at George Washington University, Loyola University, and other local universities. I’m originally from Philadelphia and earned my undergraduate degree at Chestnut Hill College. I worked for 32 years as a School Counselor and director of the counseling program at a large, co-educational private high school.

My focus is on helping people navigate the many changes and challenges in their lives including anxiety, depression, grief and loss. I have helped clients through job changes, marriage, divorce, and parenting challenges. I have supported adults with serious health problems and people with conflictual interpersonal relationships. As a warm, understanding presence, I help clients process emotions and gain greater self-efficacy and resilience.

The clients I serve are primarily adults and teenagers along with some middle school children.

I create a warm, welcoming environment for my clients which enables the client to readily disclose the most difficult aspects of their life stories.

We process their emotions together and work on strategies for improving their quality of life. Clients often need different approaches for dealing with situations in a new way that leads to more peace. In doing that, clients learn that these changes work to improve their relationships.

The first session allows us to begin establishing a positive working relationship. I share a bit about myself and my experience as a counselor and ask them to tell me some things they would like me to know about themselves such as their interests and activities. I ask the client if they would like to tell me what is bringing them to therapy at this point in their lives. Typically, the client describes their current situation so I can understand the tensions and stressors they are facing.

Before the session ends, I welcome any further questions the client may have about the therapeutic process. Lastly, the client is given a policy sheet describing their rights and responsibilities.