- Years in practice
- 10
- Credentials
- LMSW
- Licensed in
- Michigan
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Grief
- Focus
- Self esteem
About Stephanie
Stephanie Donley is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) who helps people facing stress, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, parenting challenges, and major life changes. She writes and talks in a warm, straightforward way that aims to make difficult topics easier to say out loud. Her style is kind and encouraging while staying practical and focused on goals.
She draws on approaches like cognitive behavioral work and client-centered listening to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors.
Background and approach
Mindfulness and acceptance strategies are used to reduce overwhelm and improve coping in day-to-day life. Sessions are meant to feel collaborative, not lecture-based. Stephanie has about 10 years of experience across clinical and supportive settings.
That background includes work with people affected by cancer, caregiving stress, and end-of-life concerns. She emphasizes a nonstigmatizing stance and an affirming approach to LGBT issues. In sessions she prioritizes simple, actionable steps you can try between meetings.
She values strengths and small wins, and she helps people reframe setbacks as chances to learn. Practical tools might include breathing and grounding, behavior experiments, or goal-focused problem solving. People who choose her often want empathetic listening plus concrete skills for daily life.
She encourages parents and individuals juggling busy lives to bring real problems and realistic goals. The work aims to reduce distress and increase what matters most to each person.
What Stephanie works with
Everything Stephanie lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Stephanie helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Grief
- Self esteem
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Career difficulties
- Depression
- Coaching
- ADHD
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Blended family issues
- Body image
- Cancer
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Divorce and separation
- Eating and food-related issues
- Emptiness
- Family problems
- Fertility issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Postpartum depression
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Stephanie lists
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
How Stephanie’s Approaches Shape Online Care
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify values and take small steps toward them even when emotions are strong. It can be useful for anxiety, grief, and difficult life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce symptoms like worry, low mood, or sleep problems. Client-centered therapy emphasizes listening and building a supportive, nonjudgmental space where the client’s goals guide the work.Finding the right mix is part of the process. The therapist will work with each person to decide which tools fit their needs and preferences. Sessions are collaborative: you set the goals and she brings questions, options, and practice exercises to help you try changes between meetings.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for fuller conversations and visual cues, while phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and messaging let people check in more quickly or do shorter, focused check-ins between longer sessions. These options make it easier to schedule therapy around work, caregiving, or other daily demands.
Questions people ask about Stephanie
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She supports people with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, parenting difficulties, relationship strain, addiction concerns, and coping with life changes.
What is her therapeutic style like?
The approach is warm, client-centered, and practical. Sessions focus on listening, collaborative goal setting, and doable tools to try between meetings.
How long has she been practicing?
She brings about 10 years of experience working in a range of settings with people facing illness, caregiving stress, bereavement, and other life challenges.
What credentials and region are listed?
She is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) practicing in Michigan.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats does she use?
Sessions can be conducted by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How does payment work and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to work with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.
More therapists for parents in Michigan
All in Michigan
Natasha Wagner
LPC, LCPC
Michigan 20 years in practice
Supportive counselor for parents and adults
- Stress, Anxiety
- LGBT
- Relationship
Krystal Smith
LMSW
Michigan 11 years in practice
Supportive LMSW helping parents and adults
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship
- Family
Crystal Pasciak
LPC
Michigan 7 years in practice
Helping parents handle stress and parenting challenges
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship
- Self esteem