Welcome to BetterHelp! I'm so happy you were able to take this step forward! My name is Julia Donato and I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in New York State. I have been practicing for almost 6 years in a variety of settings, including residential facilities, private practice offices, schools, the community and in clients' homes. I am educated primarily to work with family systems, including extensive knowledge regarding intimate relationships. Most of my experience is working with kids and teenagers, as well as their families. I also have training and education around parenting, the difficulties, emotions involved and helpful skills and techniques. In general, I have worked with many clients dealing with depression, anxiety, life transitions, trauma, self-motivation and relationship concerns.
I work from two main theories of therapy, including Attachment Theory and Cognitive Behavioral Theory. Using Attachment theory basically means I am curious about your family and friend supports so I can better understand how you grew up, the important people in your life and how they contribute to your success. As for Cognitive Behavioral theory, I prefer working with the techniques in this theory, as they are easy to learn and can be used at home in your daily life, helping you build better patterns. Generally, I am also interested in all the different systems of your life, as I believe they impact each other. However, I definitely want all clients to be able to lead their own journeys in treatment, and so I will look to you to provide goals and objectives. I view your role as the leader on this journey, and my role as the guide, helping provide all the potential pathway options.
My initial goal is to always build a strong relationship with each client so that treatment can be tailored to your specific needs. I work from a very collaborative perspective and so I will work hard to make sure treatment is how you envisioned. I want to make sure all clients receive the care they need, and so I am always open to feedback from clients on what might work for them.
I truly want what is best for all my clients, as I always want everyone to feel whole and full of life. Thank you for reading and I cannot wait to work together!
Additional areas of focus: Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Anger management, Depression, Coping with life changes, ADHD, Attachment issues, Body image, Communication problems, Eating and Food-Related Issues, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Impulsivity, Isolation / loneliness, Post-traumatic stress
Clinical approaches: Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Focused Therapy
NY LMFT 001425
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Julia Massay-Donato. 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.
Julia is wonderful, patient and kind. She listens and offers practical advice and thought perspectives for my various concerns. I appreciate that she helps me set goals and proposes ideas on how I can help solve and work through whatever I am struggling with. Julia has been a tremendous help and I look forward to continuing to work with her!
Written on Apr 23, 2021 after therapy with Julia for 1 year on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, and self esteem
Julia is amazing. She makes me feel so valid and heard.
Written on Nov 07, 2020 after therapy with Julia for 7 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, and coping with life changes
Julia is great, she's very receptive to the things I'm hoping to work on and offers a different perspective which has been helpful for me. I would highly recommend her to someone else.
Written on Sep 28, 2020 after therapy with Julia for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, and adhd
She's incredibly down to earth, and is less concerned with keeping strict boundaries between her and her patients, which I really appreciate. Past therapists have made me feel under a microscope, or I feel like I'm being judged, but I don't feel that in the slightest with Julia. She's able to relate to me, is super kind, judgement free, understanding and supportive, and I feel really safe with her. More than I ever did with any other therapist/counselor.
Written on Jun 20, 2020 after therapy with Julia for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, self esteem, and anger management
Julia is quite knowledgeable & down to earth. She has been so caring, non-judgmental, & patient with me. I work in the medical field so I am probably am not an easy client! She provides me with great feedback & I feel so wonderful after our sessions. 100% recommend her! Thank you thank you for helping me through this tough time.
Written on Apr 23, 2020 after therapy with Julia for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, relationship issues, and self esteem