Donna Kaufman, LCSW

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Compassionate, narrative-informed therapy in New York

Details

Name	Donna Kaufman
Credentials	LCSW
Based in	New York
Licensed in	New York
Session format	Online
Languages	English
Years in practice	14

About Donna

Donna Kaufman is a licensed clinical social worker in New York with 14 years of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, relationship strain, and trauma. She works with adults on self-esteem, coping with life changes, addictions, eating concerns, and parenting challenges. Donna aims to make the first step feel doable and supportive.

Donna keeps sessions straightforward and respectful. She creates a space where clients can talk about hard feelings and difficult memories without judgment.

Background and approach

Conversations focus on what matters to each person and on finding usable steps forward. Her practice draws on Narrative Therapy to help people rewrite the stories they tell about themselves. She also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Client-Centered Therapy to clarify values and strengthen self-direction.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy inform practical skills for managing mood and stress. Donna often helps people sort through family of origin issues, caregiver stress, body image and identity concerns, and patterns connected to narcissism or personality challenges. She also supports those facing loneliness, communication problems, jealousy, and financial stress.

Sessions aim to connect everyday problems with workable strategies. Her approach is collaborative and down-to-earth. She listens first, then helps set short-term goals and simple practices between meetings.

The focus is on small, steady changes that build confidence and clearer direction. Donna offers sessions using video calls, phone, live chat, and text-based messaging. People interested in working together start by using the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire to schedule an appointment.

What this therapist works with

Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Relationship issues, Trauma and abuse among the things Donna works with, alongside the areas below.

Approaches listed

Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Donna among the ways she works.
Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Donna among the ways she works.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Donna among the ways she works.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Listed by Donna among the ways she works.
Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Donna among the ways she works.
Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Donna among the ways she works.
Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Donna directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.

Narrative Therapy in this listing

Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.

If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Donna directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.

Online session options

Using narrative and evidence-based approaches online

Donna uses Narrative Therapy to help people look at the stories they tell about themselves and separate unhelpful narratives from values and strengths. This approach can be useful for identity questions, family of origin issues, and feeling stuck in old patterns. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is another strand of her practice; it focuses on clarifying what matters to a person and taking small actions toward those values even when feelings are difficult. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) provides practical tools to identify and change thoughts and behaviors that worsen anxiety, low mood, or problematic habits.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. She will help clients decide which methods fit their goals, needs, and preferences. This is a collaborative process where techniques can be tried and adjusted over time to find what helps most.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video sessions allow face-to-face conversation when visual contact matters. Phone sessions can be a simpler option when bandwidth is limited or when a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging let people share thoughts in writing and fit therapy into a busy day. These options make it easier to keep consistent contact and to practice skills between meetings.

Common questions about this listing

What concerns does Donna commonly address?

She helps people with stress, anxiety, relationship strain, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, coping with life changes, addictions, eating concerns, and parenting challenges.

How would you describe her therapy style?

She uses a collaborative, down-to-earth style that focuses on listening first and then setting short-term goals and practical strategies.

What is her professional background?

Donna is a licensed clinical social worker with 14 years of professional experience working with adults on a range of emotional and life challenges.

Where is she based and what are her credentials?

She is based in New York and holds the LCSW credential issued in New York.

Can clients who speak other languages work with her?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available?

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.

How does payment and cost work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule based on the therapist's availability.

Contacting this therapist

Sessions with Donna are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Donna where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.

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