- Family of origin issues
- CBT and client-centered
- Addictions and eating
About Nicole
Dr. Nicole Donato is an LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor in New Jersey with 11 years of clinical experience. She works with adults on stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, relationship and family concerns, ADHD, eating and body image issues, and related areas such as grief and coping with life changes. Nicole combines straightforward talk with practical strategies to help people notice what keeps them stuck and take small steps forward.
She trained in multiple clinical settings, including inpatient psychiatric care, outpatient therapy, and social work for a foster family agency. She also teaches at the college level and brings that educational perspective into sessions, explaining ideas in clear terms. Her background includes two masters degrees and a PhD in psychology, and she has been licensed in New Jersey since 2006.
Nicole uses Client-Centered Therapy to build a collaborative working relationship. That means she focuses on listening, reflecting, and helping clients name their concerns so they can plan change together. She also draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors that reduce distress.
Motivational Interviewing is part of her approach when people are weighing change, and psychodynamic ideas are available to look at long-standing patterns that come from earlier relationships and family of origin experiences. Sessions mix conversation, skill practice, and gentle reflection to make sense of present difficulties.
People who want clear explanations and concrete steps often find this style useful. To start, clients complete a short questionnaire and schedule an initial meeting to map goals and decide what to work on first.
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on building a genuine working relationship through listening and reflection. Online sessions using this approach involve active listening, checking understanding, and setting collaborative goals that address current concerns like family patterns or anxiety.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify negative thoughts and test new behaviors. In online work CBT is used to spot unhelpful thinking, practice specific coping skills, and assign brief between-session tasks that fit into everyday life.
Motivational Interviewing supports people who are unsure about change by exploring their values and readiness. Online conversations can clarify what matters most and help form a step-by-step plan for change.
Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals, try methods, and adjust based on what helps most. Clients collaborate on which ideas to prioritize and how to practice them between meetings.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so please confirm current options before booking. Many people find online appointments easier to fit into work, caregiving, or study schedules. Online meetings also make it simple to review worksheets, try real-time coping exercises, or schedule shorter check-ins when life is busy.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
11+ years
Listed in
New Jersey
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, eating and body image issues, relationship and family-related concerns, ADHD, grief, and related areas listed in her specialties.
How would she describe her therapeutic style?
Her approach is collaborative and practical, using client-centered listening alongside techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and psychodynamic ideas.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 11 years of experience and has worked in inpatient psychiatric settings, outpatient therapy, and as a social worker for a foster family agency.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor, licensed in New Jersey, and practices from that state.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She is not currently accepting international clients.
How are sessions scheduled and how much do they cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time; specific fees depend on your situation.
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 begin the process.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.