Therapist profile
Dr. Nicole Donato, LPC
New Jersey
LPC counselor - anxiety and codependency issues
Continue with NicoleWhere Nicole stands
- Credentials
- LPC
- License
- LPC, New Jersey / 37PC00348500
- NPI
- 1245495456
- Experience
- 11 years
- Languages
- English
- Location
- New Jersey
About
- Client-centered therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Motivational interviewing
About Nicole
Dr. Nicole Donato is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in New Jersey with 11 years of clinical experience. She helps people handle stress, anxiety, addictions, mood problems, relationship struggles, grief, and issues with self-esteem and boundaries. Nicole also supports people working through codependency-related patterns such as people-pleasing and difficulty saying no.
Nicole earned two master’s degrees and a PhD in Psychology. She has practiced in inpatient psychiatric settings, outpatient clinics, and as a social worker for a foster family agency. She currently teaches at the college level and brings that teaching mindset into sessions by explaining concepts clearly and practically.
Her primary ways of working include client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, with added techniques from motivational interviewing and psychodynamic approaches. In sessions she focuses on identifying the thoughts and beliefs that fuel distress and on building stronger ways of responding to triggering situations. Conversations tend to be direct and focused on practical steps that people can try between meetings.
People who struggle with sleep problems, compulsive eating or substance use, career stress, parenting strain, or feelings of shame and isolation may find this approach useful. Nicole mentions working with LGBT concerns, bipolar disorder, ADHD, compassion fatigue, and caregiver stress as areas she addresses.
Sessions are offered in English and are arranged through the platform’s matching and scheduling process. Prospective clients complete a short questionnaire before scheduling a first session. The therapist notes that therapy delivered online can be an effective way to address long-standing life patterns and immediate life changes.
How sessions work
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Client-centered therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship where the client’s perspective guides each session. This approach helps when someone wants to talk through feelings of people-pleasing, abandonment fears, or relationship strain and be understood before making changes.Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying the thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and trying concrete experiments to change them. CBT can be useful for anxiety, sleep problems, compulsive behaviors, and managing strong emotions by practicing new skills between sessions.
Motivational interviewing is a conversational method that supports clearer thinking about change and helps people find their own reasons to move forward. It often pairs well with CBT when motivation feels stuck.
Deciding which approach to emphasize is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, past attempts, and preferences, and together they will try methods that fit the client’s needs. Adjustments are made as progress or obstacles appear.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current online session options before booking. In general, online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life - it can reduce travel time, allow shorter mid-day check-ins, and let people use a quieter setting or lower-bandwidth options when needed. Licensed professionals can adapt these approaches to the online setting to focus on practical change and personal insight.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
11+ years
Listed in
New Jersey
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, eating and self-esteem difficulties, relationship and intimacy-related issues, grief, trauma, and many life changes including codependency-related patterns.
What is her therapeutic style like?
She uses client-centered work and cognitive behavioral techniques, with motivational interviewing and psychodynamic ideas when helpful. Sessions focus on understanding thoughts and trying practical changes.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 11 years of clinical experience and a background working in inpatient psychiatric care, outpatient therapy, and foster care social work.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensed in New Jersey and operates from that state.
In which languages are sessions offered?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the US work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are costs and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What do I need to do to start working with her?
Click the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then 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.