ILGive

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

KD Portrait of Kristine Donaldson

Kristine Donaldson

Compassionate, evidence-based clinical social work

About Kristine

Kristine Donaldson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Illinois with 14 years of professional experience. She has worked with people facing a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, compassion fatigue, trauma and abuse, grief, addictions, bipolar concerns, and workplace stress.

Background and approach

Her practice also addresses related issues such as self-esteem, life changes, communication problems, obsessive-compulsive patterns, panic attacks, and financial or career-related difficulties. Kristine emphasizes building a therapeutic relationship grounded in trust and respect to create treatment plans tailored to each person’s needs.

She draws from evidence-based methods including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Mindfulness Therapy to guide her work. Her approach combines practical strategies with skills for emotional regulation and processing to help clients move toward their goals.

Clients seeking flexible session formats can connect through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Kristine offers care in English and is based in Illinois as an LCSW (IL LCSW 149.018622).

Integrating evidence-based approaches into online care

Kristine frequently draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, which can be especially useful for managing anxiety, depression, panic, and workplace stress. She also uses Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to support processing of traumatic memories and intense emotional experiences, providing a structured way to reduce the hold of past events on present functioning. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) is another approach she uses to explore emotional responses and improve how people relate to their own feelings, which can help with grief, relationship concerns, and self-esteem issues.

Choosing the right approach is treated as a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each person to assess their needs, goals, and preferences and then adapt techniques from these methods so the work fits the individual. Adjustments are made over time based on progress and feedback to find the most effective combination of strategies.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, which allows greater scheduling flexibility and access from different locations within Illinois. These formats make it possible to continue consistent therapeutic work while using approaches like CBT skills training, EMDR protocols adapted for remote delivery, and emotionally focused exploration in real time.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Kristine address?
She works with a broad range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, compassion fatigue, trauma and abuse, grief, addictions, bipolar concerns, relationship and family difficulties, and workplace problems.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style blends practical skills training with trauma-informed processing and emotional exploration, using approaches that emphasize coping strategies, emotional regulation, and healing.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 14 years of experience working in the mental health field and has supported people with a variety of clinical concerns over that time.
What credentials and location are associated with this therapist?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the license IL LCSW 149.018622 and provides services from Illinois.
Does she offer services in other languages or to international clients?
Services are offered in English only, and she is not accepting international clients at this time.
Which session formats are available for working together?
Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or through text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and preferences.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Costs vary depending on location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What is the first step to begin therapy?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.