Deanna MacDonald

Deanna MacDonald is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Illinois who focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, anger, depression, and relationship concerns. She also supports people dealing with body image and self-esteem struggles, grief, trauma, and the everyday strain of caregiving. Deanna frames therapy as a collaborative step toward a more manageable life. She brings seven years of direct individual-therapy experience and over a decade working in mental health. Her style is practical and respectful. Sessions focus on clear goals, small steps, and tools clients can use between meetings. Deanna draws on a mix of well-known approaches to fit each person’s needs. She uses techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to spot unhelpful thoughts, Dialectical Behavior Therapy for emotion regulation skills, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to clarify values and action. Motivational Interviewing and Solution-Focused Therapy help with goal setting and building motivation. In sessions she listens first, then works with clients to create a concrete plan. That plan might include coping skills for panic or anger, strategies for mood management, or short exercises to improve communication and self-care. Progress is tracked and adjusted as needed. Deanna aims to make therapy down-to-earth and useful. She supports people through life transitions, work stress, addiction concerns, and identity-related issues without judgment. To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability. Background and approach: Deanna believes small, consistent changes lead to real improvement. She prioritizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion while helping people set realistic goals. Her focus is on practical techniques you can use right away and on building skills that last.

How therapy approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters to them and take small actions toward those values, even when emotions are difficult. It can be useful for anger, anxiety, and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors; it is often used for anxiety, depression, panic, and mood concerns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches concrete skills for managing intense emotions and improving distress tolerance, which can help with anger and self-harm urges.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what feels doable, then try methods that fit. This collaborative process helps tailor techniques to each person's situation rather than using a one-size-fits-all plan.

The original profile does not specify which online session formats are offered, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life because you avoid travel time and can schedule shorter or more frequent check-ins when needed. It also lets people practice skills between sessions in real-world settings. Licensed professionals can adapt ACT, CBT, and DBT skills to work effectively in remote sessions while focusing on concrete tools and measurable progress.