Therapist profile
Donna Sarvela, LCSW
Utah
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Stress and Addictions
Continue with DonnaWhere Donna stands
- Credentials
- LCSW
- License
- LCSW, Utah / 14224899-3501; LCSW, California / 82665
- NPI
- 1871933127
- Experience
- 13 years
- Languages
- English
- Location
- Utah
About
- CBT
- Mindfulness
- Motivational Interviewing
About Donna
Donna Sarvela is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in Utah and California with 13 years of clinical experience. She works with adults who face stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, depression, and coping with life changes. Her work also includes attention to codependency and related family of origin concerns.
Donna’s style focuses on building on a person’s existing strengths. She invites people to talk through what is happening now, notice patterns, and test practical changes. Sessions look at everyday decisions and small steps that can reduce overwhelm and improve mood.
She uses a mix of approaches to fit each client’s needs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps identify unhelpful thoughts and change behaviors. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes the client’s perspective and priorities. Mindfulness practices support emotion recognition and grounding during stressful moments.
Donna also draws on Motivational Interviewing when people are weighing change, and Psychodynamic ideas to look at how past relationships shape current patterns. The work balances short-term problem-solving with deeper reflection when that is helpful.
People who struggle with people-pleasing, trouble saying no, or living around someone else’s drinking will find practical options to try. Sessions involve clear steps, reflective listening, and planning for what to try between appointments. The first visits focus on priorities and doable next steps.
To begin, she asks clients to complete a simple matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session. Fees vary by location and use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How sessions work
How her approaches are used in online sessions
Donna often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT is practical and works well for anxiety, low mood, and for breaking cycles that support addictive behaviors.She also uses Client-Centered Therapy to focus on the client’s own goals and priorities. That approach means the therapist listens closely and follows what matters most to the person in front of her. Mindfulness techniques are used to help notice bodily and emotional signals and to practice short grounding skills during stressful moments.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Donna will discuss options with each client and decide together what to try based on current needs, goals, and preferences. This is a collaborative process and can shift as progress or challenges emerge.
Session logistics should be confirmed before booking since formats are not specified here. Ask about the available session types and which fit your daily routine. Online work can make it easier to schedule therapy around work or caregiving, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time so sessions fit into a busy week.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
13+ years
Listed in
Utah, California
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, depression, and coping with life changes. Codependency and family of origin issues are also noted focus areas.
What is her therapy style like?
Her approach builds on each person’s strengths and emphasizes practical steps. Sessions combine listening with clear plans to try between meetings.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 13 years of professional clinical experience working with the listed concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an LCSW licensed in Utah and California and practices from Utah.
Does she offer sessions in other languages?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She is not accepting international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for?
Fees vary with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a 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.