- Family patterns
- CBT skills
- Mindfulness work
About Donna
Donna Sarvela is an LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 13 years of clinical experience in Utah and California. She works with adults who are dealing with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, depression, and life changes. Donna also addresses related concerns like codependency, family of origin issues, guilt and shame, and problems with impulsivity.
Donna uses straightforward, skills-based methods in sessions. She listens to how patterns from childhood and family life still affect daily decisions. She helps people name those patterns and practice different ways of responding. Sessions focus on practical steps that can be used between appointments.
Her work draws on several approaches, including client-centered conversations that follow the person's priorities, cognitive behavioral techniques to spot and change unhelpful thinking, and mindfulness practices for calming the mind. Motivational interviewing is used when people are weighing change, and psychodynamic ideas may come up to look at deeper relationship patterns from early life.
Donna aims to make sessions a place to talk without judgment and to test small changes that feel doable. She supports adults who want to reduce substance use, manage mood symptoms, or face the fallout of family patterns. Progress is built one practical step at a time.
Her practice recognizes that problems often overlap. Donna draws on a mix of approaches to match each person's concerns and goals. Before booking, people are encouraged to confirm current session options and logistics.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online sessions
Client-centered therapy centers on the person's concerns and priorities. Online sessions using this approach focus on listening closely and following what matters most to the client, then setting goals together. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) includes practical exercises to spot thoughts and test new behaviors; in virtual sessions this often means reviewing thought records or doing short behavioral experiments between meetings. Mindfulness therapy teaches attention and grounding practices that can be guided in-session and practiced afterward to reduce reactivity.Finding the best approach is part of the work. Donna will collaborate with each person to choose methods that match their goals, needs, and what feels doable. That may mean starting with CBT tools, adding motivational interviewing when someone is weighing change, or bringing in psychodynamic reflection to look at long-standing family patterns.
The original biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm which online options are currently offered before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. They can also make it simpler to use worksheets, guided mindfulness, and between-session assignments as part of the therapeutic plan.
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
13+ years
Listed in
Utah, California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she work with?
She helps adults with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, depression, and coping with life changes. Related concerns listed include codependency, family of origin issues, and mood disorders.
Which therapeutic style does she use?
She uses client-centered therapy as a base and integrates CBT, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and psychodynamic ideas. Sessions tend to focus on practical skills and understanding personal patterns.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 13 years of professional clinical experience working in social work roles across Utah and California.
Where is she licensed and located?
She holds LCSW credentials in Utah and California and is based in Utah for her practice.
Does she work in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Can I have remote or different session formats?
The original biography does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking to know which formats are offered.
How are sessions paid for?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Exact fees should be confirmed during the sign-up process.
What are the first steps to begin?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session to get started.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.