About Me

Being a psychotherapist is my calling.  Understanding people's inner lives has mattered to me deeply since I was a young child.  By the time I was in High School, I knew for certain that I wanted to be a therapist, and that I needed to be in therapy myself.  I knew I had to begin to heal my own wounds in order to have healthy relationships with others and with myself.

Authenticity, loving-kindness, acceptance, and helping others also matter to me deeply.  When I work with clients, the wisest, truest, and most caring parts of me come forward.  I believe my greatest strength is my ability to work simultaneously from a deeply loving heart and a solidly analytical mind.

In 1975 I received a B.A. in Psychology from San Francisco State University.  My life then took an unexpected detour, and I worked as a Technical Writer in the computer industry for 20 years, where I made good use of my natural empathy and communication skills.  During that time I also did crisis counseling for San Francisco Suicide Prevention and for a domestic violence hotline, and worked as a peer counselor for runaway teens at Huckleberry House. I also acquired a unique understanding of people by studying the Enneagram in trainings and workshops given by Helen Palmer, Cathy Speeth, and others.

In 2003 I received a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from John F. Kennedy University in Orinda.  I've since had the privilege of working with a diverse population of clients dealing with a myriad of issues at JFK University's Counseling Center in Oakland, at Catholic Charities in San Rafael, at my private practice internship in San Francisco, and in my private practices in North Oakland and Pittsburg.

I hope I'll have the opportunity to work with you as well. Sending you warmest regards and best wishes,

~ Donna



415.820.1541

 "I am human; therefore nothing human is alien to me." - Terence