Donna Byxbe , LCSW

Donna Byxbe is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), a credential that reflects advanced training in clinical social work and mental health treatment. She has practiced since 1995, building much of her experience in Community Mental Health Programs where she worked with a wide range of concerns from serious mental illness to everyday life choices. Over the years she has supported adults, children, adolescents, older adults, couples, and groups across diverse clinical needs.

In 2005 Donna opened a private practice and maintained it full time until 2020. During the pandemic she shifted many services to telehealth while living in a smaller city where many people were not comfortable with remote sessions, so she continued practicing at a reduced capacity. In early 2021 she accepted a vaccine and then experienced complications that required a roughly three month pause in practice to recover. In December 2021 she again contracted the virus and became very ill. Following those events she transitioned to practicing through Better Help rather than reopen a solo private practice.

Donna integrates several therapeutic approaches to match the treatment plan to what each person or couple identifies as their priorities. Her work draws from Cognitive-Behavioral, Psychodynamic, Client-Centered, and Transpersonal therapies, including hypnotherapy, meditation, and inner child support when appropriate. When working with couples she focuses on fostering independent healing as well as healthier interdependence, helping partners improve communication, compromise, and negotiation. She emphasizes respect for each person s right to self-determination and offers guidance and feedback to support growth. Donna is committed to assisting individuals and couples who seek to become more grounded, resilient, and aligned with their goals.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Donna Byxbe uses Client-Centered Therapy to create a supportive space where the client s perspective guides the pace and focus of treatment; this approach helps people who need empathy, validation, and collaborative problem solving. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is another key method she employs - it focuses on identifying unhelpful patterns of thought and behavior and developing practical skills to manage anxiety, depression, and stress. She also draws on psychodynamic ideas to explore how past experiences and relational patterns influence present feelings and choices, which can be helpful for issues like attachment, family problems, and recurring relationship struggles.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Donna works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as progress unfolds. This collaborative stance helps clients feel more engaged and empowered in their own care.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility for scheduling and access. Donna provides sessions by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing clients to choose the format that fits their life and comfort level. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care during life changes, busy schedules, or when in-person visits are not feasible.