- Anxiety and depression
- Guilt and shame
- ACT CBT DBT methods
About Deanna
Deanna MacDonald is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Illinois with seven years providing individual therapy. She works with people facing anxiety, depression, stress, and struggles with self-esteem and body image. She also lists help for grief, trauma and abuse, addiction concerns, and issues around guilt and shame.
Deanna uses a collaborative style in sessions. She talks with people about what matters to them and helps set clear, manageable goals. Sessions focus on practical steps alongside noticing patterns of thought and behavior that keep problems going.
Her approach draws on evidence-based methods such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She also uses Motivational Interviewing and Solution-Focused techniques when they fit a person’s needs. These methods show up as exercises, behavior changes, and skills to try between appointments.
In conversation, Deanna pays attention to the person behind the concern, whether that is chronic worry, mood swings, or struggles with forgiveness and shame. She works with clients to build skills for handling strong emotions, improving communication, and managing daily stressors.
Practical matters are part of the work. She helps people break problems into small steps and track progress. If someone wants to begin, they are invited to use the site process to match and schedule a first session.
How her approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying personal values and taking small committed actions toward them. It helps when guilt or shame make it hard to live in line with what matters. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at patterns of thought and behavior and teaches practical skills to shift unhelpful thinking and reduce avoidance. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers skills for managing intense emotions and improving interpersonal effectiveness, which can be useful when shame or anger get in the way of relationships.Finding the right approach is part of the collaborative process. The therapist will discuss options and try methods that match a person's goals and preferences, changing course as needed based on what proves most helpful.
The site biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy weekday, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time so work or caregiving responsibilities are less disrupted. Licensed professionals can use these conveniences to help people practice skills between sessions and keep therapy aligned with everyday life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
7+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
She works with anxiety, depression, stress, self-esteem and body image issues, plus grief, trauma, addictions, and guilt and shame among other concerns.
How would she approach my guilt or shame?
She uses collaborative, skills-based work that looks at thoughts, behaviors, and values. Therapy often includes practical exercises and strategies to change unhelpful patterns.
How much experience does she have?
She has seven years of experience providing individual therapy and over ten years working in the mental health field overall.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an LCPC, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, practicing in Illinois.
Are sessions offered in other languages?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for and what do they cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What do I do to start a first session?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session through the site process.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.