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DM Portrait of Deanna MacDonald

Deanna MacDonald

Compassionate evidence-based counseling for life challenges

About Deanna

Deanna MacDonald is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) practicing in Illinois who focuses on a wide range of emotional and behavioral concerns.

Background and approach

She supports people facing stress, anxiety, depression, mood disorders including bipolar, addictions, and trauma and abuse, as well as issues tied to self-esteem, body image, grief, intimacy, and relationship struggles. Her work also addresses sleep and eating difficulties, anger, panic and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, ADHD, caregiving stress, workplace and career challenges, and other life transitions.

Deanna draws on evidence-based approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy to tailor care to each person. With seven years providing individual therapy, she emphasizes a collaborative stance, meeting clients with respect, sensitivity, and compassion while helping them identify goals and practical strategies.

Prospective clients complete a brief matching questionnaire and schedule sessions according to availability, and therapy is offered through flexible online formats.

Evidence-Based Approaches for Online Care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice and accept difficult thoughts or feelings while clarifying values and committing to meaningful actions; it can be useful for anxiety, depression, and navigating life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors to reduce symptoms and improve coping, which is often helpful for mood disorders, panic, and obsessive-compulsive concerns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness skills that support managing intense emotions and relationship challenges.

Finding the right approach is collaborative and part of the therapeutic process. The therapist will work with clients to assess needs, try methods that fit their goals and preferences, and adjust strategies over time to create an individualized plan that feels practical and achievable.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing people to engage in therapy from locations that fit their schedules. These formats make it easier to maintain continuity of care while using the above therapeutic approaches, and they provide multiple ways to practice skills and receive feedback between sessions.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist address?
The practice supports many issues including stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, addictions, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy-related issues, grief, eating and sleeping problems, ADHD, and workplace or caregiver stress.
What is the therapist's general approach to therapy?
The clinician uses a collaborative, respectful style and draws from evidence-based methods like ACT, CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy to develop practical skills and personalized treatment plans.
How much experience does the therapist have?
The therapist has seven years of experience providing individual therapy within the mental health field.
What credentials and where is the therapist licensed?
The clinician holds the Illinois LCPC credential and is listed with license number IL LCPC 180.014530 in Illinois.
Which languages are available and can international clients join?
Services are offered in English, and the therapist is not currently accepting international clients.
In what formats are sessions offered?
Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.
How are fees and payment structured?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions are accessed through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.