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MD, LCPC, LPC

Donna Coakley, MD, LCPC, LPC

  • Experience26 years
  • LocationDistrict of Columbia
  • Focus areasADHD, Stress and Anxiety, and Trauma and abuse
  • Therapy approachesClient-Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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Check the available next steps for working with Donna online.

About Donna

Donna Coakley blends an empathetic, client-centered attitude with evidence-based techniques developed over a 26-year career. She brings a warm, interactive style to sessions, emphasizing respect, sensitivity, and compassion while avoiding stigmatizing labels.

Background and approach

Donna holds MD, LCPC, and LPC credentials and is licensed in the District of Columbia; her background spans a broad range of concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, addictions, relationship and family challenges, intimacy-related issues, sleep problems, and parenting.

Her work draws on cognitive-behavioral strategies, dialectical behavior skills, mindfulness practices, and trauma-focused methods to shape individualized treatment plans. Donna has also focused on additional concerns including communication problems, domestic violence, substance-related issues, trauma and post-traumatic stress, personality disorders, and process addictions.

She approaches each person as an individual and tailors dialogue and interventions to meet specific goals and circumstances. Clients can expect collaborative care that prioritizes practical coping skills alongside deeper exploration when needed.

Donna supports people ready to take steps toward change, offering guidance and encouragement throughout the therapeutic process.

Therapeutic approaches and online care tailored to you

Donna integrates cognitive-behavioral techniques and dialectical behavior therapy into online work in practical, accessible ways. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying patterns of thinking and behavior that contribute to stress or mood symptoms and teaches concrete strategies to shift those patterns; it can be helpful for anxiety, depression, ADHD-related challenges, and sleep difficulties. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emphasizes emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness skills, making it useful for intense emotions, relationship conflicts, and difficulties with impulsivity.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Donna will work with each person to clarify goals, try techniques, and adapt the plan as needs and preferences become clearer, combining short-term skill building with deeper therapeutic exploration when appropriate.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These formats allow people in different locations to access licensed professionals, fit sessions into busy schedules, and continue work between meetings through messaging options and chat check-ins.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Donna commonly address?
She works with a wide range of difficulties including stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, addictions, relationship and family issues, intimacy-related concerns, sleep and parenting problems.
What is Donna's therapeutic style?
Her style is warm and interactive, combining client-centered listening with cognitive and behavioral techniques to create tailored treatment plans.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Donna has 26 years of professional experience supporting people through diverse mental health and life challenges.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds MD, LCPC, and LPC credentials with license details MD LCPC LC0875 and DC LPC PRC1370, and practices in the District of Columbia.
Can nonlocal clients work with Donna?
Yes, she accepts international clients and conducts sessions in English.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can take place via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How are fees and subscriptions handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin working with her?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepressionADHD

Also works with

AddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issues

Additional focus areas

Communication problemsDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHoardingJealousyVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesParanoiaPersonality disordersPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobia

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

26+ years

Licensed

District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia

Languages

English

What Donna can help with

Donna Coakley works with clients on stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, self esteem, depression, and ADHD.

Donna works with clients with concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, and parenting problems.

How Donna approaches therapy

Donna's clinical approaches include Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy.

Experience and training

Donna is an MD practicing in District of Columbia.