Therapist profile
Donald Bliss, LCSW
California
LCSW - Relationships and Addictions
Continue with DonaldWhere Donald stands
- Credentials
- LCSW
- License
- LCSW, California / 22042
- NPI
- 1730454661
- Experience
- 40 years
- Languages
- English, Portuguese
- Location
- California
About
- Codependency focus
- CBT and narrative
- English and Portuguese
About Donald
Donald Bliss is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California with forty years of experience in mental health and addictions work. He speaks English and Portuguese. He lists stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy issues, parenting, self-esteem, career worries, bipolar and coping with life changes among his areas of focus, including codependency and related patterns.
Don describes a practical, person-focused style. He listens to life stories and helps people identify what matters to them now. Sessions mix conversation, feedback and concrete steps for handling problems such as difficult relationships, dependence on others, or problems with mood and addictive behaviors.
His background spans outpatient clinics, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment, employee assistance programs, community agencies and non-profit work. He has worked in direct services, case management and program administration, and he has run groups as well as individual therapy. His academic training includes a bachelor’s degree focused on child and adolescent welfare and a master’s degree in social work with concentrations in employee assistance programs and addictions.
Donald has lived and worked in many places around the world, including time in Africa and South America, and brings that life experience into sessions. He uses several therapeutic approaches such as client-centered methods, cognitive behavioral ideas, mindfulness, motivational interviewing and narrative work to help people notice patterns and try different ways of responding.
He aims to help clients name realistic next steps, strengthen communication, address dependency patterns, and reclaim a sense of personal direction. To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session through the platform button.
How sessions work
How Donald Uses Therapy Methods Online
Donald often draws on client-centered work and cognitive behavioral therapy in session. Client-centered work focuses on listening and helping people name their goals and values, which is useful for sorting out relationship patterns and dependence issues. Cognitive behavioral therapy looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviors and offers concrete skills for changing reactions to stress and cravings.He also uses mindfulness practices to help people notice impulses and urges without immediately acting on them, and motivational interviewing to support change when motivation feels mixed. These approaches can help with addictions, codependent tendencies, anxiety and life transitions by offering small, practical steps and experiments to try between sessions.
Figuring out which mix of methods will work best is a collaborative process. The therapist talks with each person about their goals, past efforts, and preferences, and then adjusts tactics as progress is made. That makes sessions more useful and focused on what the client wants to change.
The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current online session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into busy days, shorten commutes, and allow for follow-up check-ins that keep momentum between appointments. Ask about available formats when you schedule so you can pick what fits your routine.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
40+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English, Portuguese
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Does he help with people-pleasing and boundaries?
Yes. He works with relationship patterns like people-pleasing and difficulty saying no and helps people practice setting limits.
What approach does he usually take in sessions?
He combines client-centered conversation with cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness, motivational interviewing and narrative work to identify patterns and try new responses.
How much experience does he bring?
He has forty years of experience in mental health and addictions, including clinical, program and group work.
Where is his practice based and what credential does he hold?
He practices in California and holds a California Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential, listed as LCSW.
Can sessions be conducted in other languages?
Sessions are offered in English and Portuguese.
Do you need to be in the same country to work with him?
He accepts international clients but confirm any cross-border details before scheduling a session.
How are costs handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule your first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe at home, use the crisis and helpline numbers.