About Me
Welcome! I would be honored to work with you!
I am a psychotherapist (LMFT) licensed in California with my graduate degree in Expressive Arts Therapy from CIIS in San Francisco. I have many years of experience working as a counselor and I'm a Coach U graduate. I have worked with clients using cognitive approaches to work with depression, anxiety, relationship issues, sexuality, and ADHD. I'm sensitive to those who have suffered or experienced physical trauma or emotional abuse. I'm LGBTQ sensitive, and culturally aware. I also work with those in kink and alternative relationships.
Adjectives that might describe my style are: engaged, respectful, down to earth, relaxed, practical, mindful, insight-oriented, and solution focused. I lean more towards a collaborative, engaging and interactive approach so that feel you are not doing all the talking. I do my best to go at your pace and have a youthful, somewhat playful demeanor. I honor your innate intelligence and know that when you look within, you gain confidence in yourself and your choices. My goal is to support maintaining a big picture perspective, while you are processing through your thoughts and emotions. At times I might recommend reading a book, or give you a handout, or have your complete a creative assignment to deepen your process between sessions. If you believe in balancing mind, body, and spirit, then we might be a good fit for each other, as each is essential to the healing process.
Because your history and experiences are unique, I will do my best to meet you where you are. I want what is best for you just as much as you do!
"When you can't control what's happening, challenge yourself to control the way you respond to what's happening. That is where your power is." - author unknown.
I look forward to connecting with you!
Specialties
- Stress, Anxiety
- LGBT
- Self esteem
- Coping with life changes
- ADHD
Relationship issues , Family conflicts , Trauma and abuse , Grief , Intimacy-related issues , Sleeping disorders , Anger management , Career difficulties , Bipolar disorder , Depression , Coaching , Compassion fatigue , Read more...
Clinical approaches:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Gottman Method, Mindfulness Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy
Services Offered
Messaging
Live Chat
Phone
Licensing
LMFT #85633 (Expires: 2023-01-31)
Reviews
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Douglas Mitchell. 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.
Great therapist!
Douglas remains a constant source of clarity and a trusted confidant. He is helping me tremendously, and I am grateful to have found him.
I have worked with Douglas for a few weeks now, and in that time he has been so supportive in providing an ear and analyzing how things could be coming about within my locus of control. He provides tools and offers additional homework (at my request) that is beneficial to making each session a successful one. I highly recommend Douglas, and will continue to use him for my own behavioral health successes.
Douglas has helped me to deal with and recover from a lot of emotional issues that I've dealt with all my life that had come to a head in recent years. I've appreciated his patient compassion, as well as his critical directness when I needed it. Working with him really has made a positive difference.
Working with Douglas has been an amazing experience. He is kind, compassionate, and understanding. He also helps shed light and a new view on situations that you may have trouble seeing on your own. He has helped me work through depression and anxiety and has given me a plan to move forward and the tools to do it. If you are looking for somebody to listen and help you form an actionable plan forward, I highly recommend Douglas!
Douglas has helped me understand how to work through my issues by teaching me how to change my core beliefs, engage in CBT practices and advise me on various topics and how to approach concerns. Thank to him I have been able to identify how to rebuild my life and plan for a future I can believe in again.
Douglas has been incredibly helpful and so supportive toward my mental, emotional, and physical health and well-being this past year! He is super down to Earth and has helped me re-focus my attention toward my own needs and wants. I highly recommend him to anyone going through a journey of self-discovery, the coming out process, or navigating a challenging relationship.
Enjoy and value the relationship we have developed
Douglas is a super sweet and thoughtful guy. He helps me find the words to explain how I'm feeling. He's super considerate of my emotions and offers plenty of practices and exercises to help me improve my lifestyle and manage my emotions. He's super patient, understanding and he has a soothing tone of voice, which helps me feel calm.
Douglas is a warm, compassionate, and action-oriented therapist. He gives me all the tools to break my negative thought cycles and make decisions based on my values and needs. I love that he shares snippets about his own or his anonymous clients' experiences as well - he connects with me and makes me feel empowered!
There isnt enough praise to truly explain how helpful Douglas has been in my process to not only heal, but grow in spirit and mind. I came in knowing nothing about therapy, how it can help, and what to expect from it, and Douglas quickly reassured me, telling me it was okay. He has done a magnitude of good, from mending my broken heart, to helping me realize and change my habit that I once saw as "medicating". Truly a scholar and a gentleman! I would highly recommend Douglas to any wayward soul, or anyone at that, who is seeking personal growth and development. Thank you Douglas, really... Thank you.
Douglas is wonderful. He responds in a very timely manner and he’s exceptional at his job. He is respectful, empathetic, and kind.
Douglas is a very good therapist.
Douglas has helped me out immensely. From anxiety, to depression to changing my behaviors to helping me find purpose. He has been a gentleman and scholar. Recommend to everyone !!!
Very helpful and suggestive of different kinds of treatment that would benefit me
Douglas was a very kind and emotionally supportive counselor. He knew when to sit back and listen and just let me speak my thoughts and mind, but also at times when to jump in and give some tougher rhetoric if it seemed that I was talking in a circle or digging myself a hole with my logic.
As someone who has had quite varying experiences with therapy in the past, I really appreciated Douglas' candid style and his honesty, and also his ability to understand my thoughts at the time even when they were, in retrospect, quite hard to handle and irrational. I would definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a therapist.
Douglas is an incredible listener and uses the powerful metaphors and practices of the arts to help discover insights and action plans. Highly recommend, especially if you find it difficult to open up.
I’ve only been seeing Douglas for a few weeks but so far he has been very helpful. He is thoughtful and responsive when I complete exercises. I appreciate the homework he gives me.
Douglas is a phenomenal listener. He makes me feel heard and understood when I struggle making sense of my own thoughts. Highly recommend!
Douglas is very helpful. Helps me explore options with my various problems, and sends me resources outside of our meetings. He’s very caring and understanding, while holding me accountable, helping me reach my goals in therapy.
You’ve been amazing since the start thanks for everything you’ve done for me :)
I highly recommend Douglas. He provides great insight. In the two years he’s counseled me he’s exposed me to many different ways to approach my anxiety, self esteem, and relationships. I was also looking for a counselor that could help me find tools to build a better routine for my mental and overall health, and since Douglas is so positive and knowledgeable it’s been life changing.
Douglas is amazing! I have been working with him for almost two years now and when I first started BetterHelp I was having extreme anxiety and suicidal thoughts. I had tried in person therapy multiple times and did not feel listened to and did not like the time it took to go to the office, sit in the waiting room, ect. BetterHelp is from the comfort of my own home and works with my busy schedule. Douglas is honest and has provided me with tools to face life's obstacles. When I experienced the death of a close friend he was particularly helpful and even scheduled an extra session with me. I am a different person than I was when I started and I cannot recommend him enough.
I am so relieved to hear Douglas's sincere reflections on my concerns that have been troubling me. Breakups are never easy, but he helped me realize that I am staying true to myself.
He is amazing and has helped me learn a lot about myself and get through hard time.
D. Mitchell is a great counselor and has a real sincere approach when it comes to goals. He is very knowledgeable which what he knows and share. He’d provided me with basic homework to work on in between phone conversation. The overall ease and experience by using Better Help for this new approach of counseling is beyond amazing!
Douglass has been amazing with helping me learn to identify and heal from traumas related to my sexuality that left really deep scars in me. Through him, I’ve learned how to live my life, how to cope, and how to smile. He’s the best of the best. Would highly recommend.
Douglas definitely helped me deal with my negative self-talk and cognitive distortions. He also outlined ways in which I lacked impulse control (which stemmed from the cognitive distortions and fear-based thinking).
Really enjoy working with Douglas. He complete changed my life outlook and quality.
Very helpful and willing to help. Listens to concerns and addresses them. Takes his time to get to know you and what you want/need help with. Professional
So far Douglas has been a great support
Douglas is absolutely wonderful. I'm not sure what I would do without him. He is so helpful and supportive and always checks in if he hasn't heard from me in awhile. I really appreciate having him on my side.
You are truly helpful and I appreciate the positive attitude towards everything I ask or we talk about !
Douglas offers helpful resources, brings me back to focus on the issues I'm facing, and is generally a good listener.
I definitely can see how his counseling has been improving my daily life and giving me the confidence to stand my ground when adversity comes my way.
Douglas has been instrumental to my peace of mind during these last three weeks. He’s shared books and articles, on top of always responding to my questions promptly, and I strongly believe his advice has made the most difference in this short time. I look forward to working with him each week and would recommend him with much confidence.
Douglas helped me in a time of crisis, and I am very thankful for him. He is very good at helping in times of chaos, as he is able to help refocus energy and redirect thought. He listens well and has a very calming nature. I would recommend him to anyone who is looking to sort out stressors and negative self talk.
Mitchell Douglas has been a very attentive councilor to my current needs. He’s helped me work through things that were holding me back. I appreciate all the resources he’s given me.
Douglas has done an excellent job of striking a balance between staying in touch, and not smothering with questions/suggestions. His patient demeanor has helped me greatly, and I would recommend his services for anyone looking to get counseling for the first time. Thank you!
This past year was one of the hardest times of my life and Douglas has been a major part of helping me recover and grow from those difficulties. He has helped me improve my self-image, guide me through issues dealing with work, increase my self-confidence, learn to trust myself more, stand up for myself, and so many other positive and wonderful things.
I've had periods of lows and highs, but lately, I have been successful in keeping myself in the calm middle where I can face the bad in my life and appreciate the good. I have learned to accept that life will never be "perfect" and there will always be problems I will face both now and in the future. One of many things Douglas has helped me with is to not let the problems of the past get in my way. I no longer wake up thinking, "why did I say that? Why did I do that? Why am I so stupid? I could have done that better!". Now I wake up thinking, "It's a new day. That solution didn't work let me try something else. I can't control this but I can control that. I've been through so much already is this small thing really worth getting ruining my day/week/month?".
I would have never thought I would get to where I am today mentally, but here I am and I feel so much better, happier, and confident. I still get emotional, I still get upset, I still feel bad at times, but the big difference is those emotions don't linger and ruminate and churn in my mind for months on end and even years. I'm no longer "haunted" by past events, they have become my teachers. I'm no longer my own worst enemy either or my own worst critic and that alone has lifted such a major burden from my heart and mind. I've been using my energy towards being happier with my life and spending it with people I love. Instead of tearing myself apart and bringing myself down, I lift myself up and put myself back together.
BetterHelp with Douglas has been the best gift I could have ever given myself.
Douglas always takes the time to really listen to what I’m saying and respond in a way that does not pass on any judgment. It can be really difficult for me to open up and trust others, but he has shown me that he is someone I can confide in when I don’t always feel comfortable doing so with people in my life. He has offered great insight and advice for me to be able to reframe my thinking and gain a new perspective into myself and the way I react to and process information, and for that I am grateful.
A wonderful, caring, practical therapist!
Douglas is very patient and not judgmental. Wants what's best for his patients and understanding! 10/10
When I joined BetterHelp.com, I was in a very bad emotional state. My negative thinking , anger and anxiety, was costing me to loose my loved ones and destroy my life. I felt like a derailed train. After connecting with Douglas Mitchel, immediately I felt like I found a now friend. He analyzed my situation right away. Then he started to promptly communicate with me and helped me find the way to solve my issues.He always responded to me right away. Even when he wouldn’t here from me, he would still check on me like a real friend and family member. Today I feel like a new person, I’m not the only one who thinks that way. My whole family feels like I became my old self again. Thank you BetterHelp.com for connecting me with Douglas Mitchell. Lastly, thank you Douglas Mitchell for helping me find myself and be happy again. My family also thanks you. I wish you and your loved ones the best.
Best regards,
Farzin
I have always used the traditional way of counseling...aka face to face. But it was always difficult to set up an appointment at the time when you really need to talk to someone right now. Needless to say when i came across betterhelp.com i was very hesitant to sign up. But i had so much going on and really needed the help of a therapist. I was matched with Douglas Mitchell, and i cannot tell you how happy i am that i was matched with Douglas. He is an intelligent, well-knowledged, non-judgmental therapist. He doesn't sugar coat anything and tells you what it is...great listener and interpreter of events. He's brilliant and takes pride in his speciality and a real interest in his clients and their wellbeing. I highly recommend him to everyone. He has helped me become a better me. He (BY FAR) is more helpful than any other therapist out there and by far, SURPASSES any "conventional " face to face therapist out there. Thank you Douglas!!!
Douglas is kind and responsive. He is careful to reflect back what he reads, and offers perspectives and strategies in which to approach situations without sounding judgmental or directive. I appreciate his warmth and attention to detail.
Douglas Mitchell (LMFT) is the best counselor I have ever had. I do strongly recommend him to everyone. He is very professional and understands exactly my concerns. He is always there to help, in a timely manner, professionally and effectively! And I know what I am talking about, as I am working in the Healthcare field as well! Thank you, Douglas! Bless you!
Douglas was great! He reached out to me when I didn't. Meant quite a lot to me.
Douglas is incredibly insightful and resourceful, devising a multitude of ways of tackling the issues you present him with. He's respectful and empathetic, but more than anything else, he is honest.
Douglas is thoughtful, considerate, and patient. He gives good advice and has been a tremendous help.
We are still a little new together, so it’s hard to comment thoroughly, but he is a genuinely empathetic person and has good insights. I like his perspective and maturity.
When I first joined BetterHelp, it was with a different counselor. I did not have a very good experience as she was not very engaged with working with me. She was not very responsive and did not respond back to me for 10-days.
I decided to cancel my subscription but BetterHelp gave me 2 free weeks with a different counselor. I chose Douglas Mitchell based on his profile...I thought he would be the best fit, and he definitely is! Three weeks later with him and I feel more positive than I have in years. He is very responsive and will reply back to every one of my messages in the same time a friend would reply to a text. He has me work on worksheets that are very helpful to both of us. I might not be into all the worksheets but that’s okay, it’s a process. Basically, he’s showed me that I have all the answers inside of me...he just helps me to find the key to unlocking them. I recommend him fully. If his profile fits your needs, definitely give him your trust as he will help you find your best self.
Words can’t explain the true professionalism and guidance that Douglas provides. I’ve had several in-person therapists, who were extremely helpful in my life, and I’ll happy to say that virtually I can add Douglas to my list. He more than listens to what say and finds ways to repeat back your own comments to think about things you didn’t know you were clearly saying. Worth every penny and worth your time. We all have a inner hero, Douglas hears it and helps us listen to it.
I like working with Douglas; he is very good at messaging and checking in when I need him.
I’ve only been working with Douglas for a few sessions, but doing so has been the best choice I’ve made in a long time. He’s very insightful, responsive, a wonderful listener and has helped me make couples therapy sessions with my husband more productive. Forever grateful!
I have only begun my counseling journey, I feel blessed to have someone listen without judgement and who is supportive to my needs to get well again.
Douglas was very helpful and attentive, would absolutely recommend him.
I felt a huge shift after my first session with Douglas and I have continued to find increasing relief and calm each time we've spoken.
Douglas has been an insightful and supportive council in the most distressing period in my life. His steady and levelheaded imput has literally been a life saver. I am profoundly grateful for his kindness.
My counselor is absolutely the best! I went through a very hard time in the past 6 months and he has always been there for me. He does not only "mirror" and normalize my concerns, (which are already very comforting); but also gives me tips and mantras that I'll remember and act during times of difficulties. Sometimes when I feel worried, I come back to this website, re-read our previous conversations and the advice he gives me, and carries on. He is absolutely wonderful and I am so thankful for having met my counselor.
I've only been working with Douglas for a few days but he's been consistently checking in and replying to me several times a day. He clarifies what it is that I want to discuss and asks me questions about each of my concerns. Douglas has been wonderful so far and I'm excited to continue working with him because I see hope!
Douglas was incredibly helpful with my grief over a personal loss. He was sensitive and gentle in his responses, yet skilled at guiding me toward seeing things in new ways. Of course the grief is still there, but it now feels healthy and manageable instead of stifling, and I credit that largely to Douglas' expertise.
He is very helpful.
I really like talking to my therapist because I really felt that he listens to my story and he tries to support me at a time that I need to talk to someone.
Douglas is kind but is sure to remain realistic.
Even when I don't have specific things to work on, it is wonderful to have a completely neutral person to tell things to. I appreciate Douglas' perspective on situations, even at times telling you the truth you may not want to hear. He is patient, professional and a great listener.
He's super supportive and understanding.
Wonderful and helpful. Great listener and insightful.
Douglas is extremely helpful and intuitive as a counselor. I highly recommend him, especially if you are an artist and/or HSP.
Wonderful man! Responds thoughtfully and respectfully. Would recommend :)
My time with Douglas has been life changing. Thinking about where I am now to how I was feeling before I began counseling just a short while ago is such a great feeling. Before I decided to join BetterHelp I felt scared, lost and afraid. Douglas helped me sift through everything I was feeling and pinpoint the things that mattered.
Getting paired with Douglas Mitchell was the single, most fortunate event in my life. He is patient, compassionate, and extraordinarily skilled at helping me to figure out serious, long-standing, life-crushing issues. If you get some time with Douglas...Guess what... You just got lucky, babe.
There is a difference between what the counselor thinks is best and what is best for each individual client. The reason I like Douglas is he took the time to figure out what I wanted and told me how to achieve it. Yes, problems can easily have black-and-white answers, but life isn't like that; it is about the details, and he gives you those details.
Doug is an awesome therapist. He is ultra responsive, supportive, directional and suggestive when needed. Gentle and a kicker in the pants at the same time. A great mix of humility, empathy, understanding and guidance.. I feel lucky to have found him on BetterHelp.
I like working with Douglas!
Love him!
I am grateful for having Douglas as a therapist, he helped me find strength, compassion, and acceptance for myself. I found equanimity in my life through my time with working with him.
Douglas is an expert at creating a helping and healing relationship. He is wonderful in every measurable way. However, I mostly appreciate his sense of humor and playfulness during our therapy conversations. It eases my anxiety and allows me to heal faster. Thank you, Douglas!
Douglas is a great counselor. His replies are always timely. I feel my initial reason for talking to Douglas has been met and am now in a maintenance mode. Douglas checks in with me about once a week to see how I am doing. But I also know he is an email away if I need his help. I highly recommend Douglas!
Douglas has quickly helped me to start putting my life back together. He is patient and gentle and he tailors his approach to my needs and preferences. He has managed to allay my fear of counseling in just a few weeks time. He has my thanks and my highest recommendation.
It's wonderful to be able to sit down when I have the time to communicate with Douglas.
He "hears" what I am trying to relay to him, and the advice being offered is sound.
So far, I am very much enjoying this experience on the whole. It's much nicer than 1 hour a week in an office, and pick up where you left off? I always found it most difficult to deal that way. So many unresolved issues. This is great, we can converse any day, every day, and I feel more at ease with my issues.
Doug is kind, thought provoking, responsive, and helps change my perceptions towards situations that arise in my life. Thanks Doug!
Douglas is a super nice guy and knows the right things to say when you need to hear them. As we worked through issues it just felt natural and not at all uncomfortable opening up to a qualified stranger online. Would definitely recommend!
Douglas is awesome. He asks the right questions,provides great responses and checks in on you. I highly recommend Douglas!
Douglas has been amazing, I am already seeing improvement.
I've been working with Douglas for about 4 months. He is an amazing therapist who has helped me through a very difficult transition. I would highly recommend him to my family and friends.
After talking with Douglas Mitchell for a week I found him to be helpful and insightful.
Mr. Mitchell is personable and cogent as well as being a good listener.
I've been so lost for the longest time. I never felt like I had anyone, but myself to talk to. I was afraid that no one would understand me. When I finally spoke to Douglas... It felt like the giant weight on my shoulder was being lifted ever so slowly. Day after day, the more I spoke to him, the better I felt about my problems and just in general - my life. I feel very blessed to have come across such an amazing individual. I am definitely going to continue my sessions with him. He has shown me a different outlook on how much happier, fulfilling and brighter my life can be. :) Thanks my friend...
Douglas is an exceptional therapist. He is patient and listens to you, however long it takes, he tries to make you feel like a caring warm and compassion. I would highly recomend him to my friends.
I am very glad to have found BetterHelp and my counselor Douglas Mitchell. Douglas genuinely cared about whatever I was going through and always responded very quickly. Thank you BetterHelp and Douglas!