Hi, welcome to Better Help.
My name is Donna Smith. I am a masters prepared licensed Mental Health Counselor in Rochester NY. I received my counselor training through the University of Rochester .
I have 30 plus years of experience working in a variety of mental health settings, however, my passion is to work one on one with individuals who are looking to enhance the quality of their life.
In addition to providing confidential, compassionate mental health therapy my other passion is creative writing. I see these two areas blending in beautiful ways. I believe we each have within us a collection of tales that together create a unique and colorful story of the life we've lived thus far as well as the dreams that we've laid before us.
I would be honored to travel with you for a time on your personal journey. I have always seen my myself as a 'guide' in this process. My role as therapist would be to join with you in partnership working together to realize the future you have imagined.
I will offer you the opportunity for a genuine, open, trusting and hope-filled connection should you choose me as your therapist and therapeutic partner.
The path we take will be of your choosing. I am committed to walking beside you and offering the experience gained through my own life as well as the skills I've learned throughout my career as a therapist.
Your decision to enter into this journey is a brave one - CONGRATULATIONS!
I look forward to accompanying you in a supportive, non-judgmental manner to your destination.
Of note: If you are looking at my availability to secure an appointment time and don't see what you're looking for please message me and I will do my best to accommodate your needs.
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Aging and geriatric issues, Attachment issues, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Dependent personality, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Divorce and separation, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Forgiveness, Gender dysphoria, Guilt and shame, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Mood disorders, Narcissism, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Personality disorders, Prejudice and discrimination, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-harm, Self-love, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Workplace issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems
NY LMHC 001003
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Donna Smith. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Donna is the absolute best. Has helped save my life and I am so incredibly grateful.
Written on Feb 02, 2026 after therapy with Donna for 4 years and 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and lgbt
Working with Donna is fantastic. She is an active listener, offers considerate solutions and has helped me through moments when I needed most
Written on Dec 20, 2025 after therapy with Donna for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and adhd
Kind and eager to listen while also giving good constructive feedback, and action items to work on moving forward.
Written on Sep 26, 2025 after therapy with Donna for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, and adhd
Donna is down-to-earth and real. She never judges my acts of stupidity and is incredibly supportive. She can read me like a book and asks just the right questions so I end up discovering and coming up with the answer to my life questions, true ah-ha moments. I trust her implicitly, look forward to our weekly session and enjoy talking with her and I can text her between sessions, if necessary. If she weren’t my therapist, I would want her as a fun friend. I have grown immensely in 2 years thanks to Donna.
Written on Jan 08, 2025 after therapy with Donna for 2 years and 3 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and adhd
Does great job
Written on Dec 28, 2024 after therapy with Donna for 3 years and 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and anger management
A very kind and thoughtful women. Listens and provides helpful advice. Really helping me wi the problems at hand.
Written on Apr 26, 2024 after therapy with Donna for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, eating disorders, and self esteem