- Years in practice
- 40
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Licensed in
- California
- Languages
- English, Portuguese
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Addictions
- Focus
- LGBT
About Donald
Donald Bliss, LCSW, helps people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, parenting challenges, relationship strain, grief, and identity questions. He speaks English and Portuguese and draws on four decades of work in mental health and addictions. His approach is practical and focused on what a parent can use right now.
He keeps sessions straightforward and conversational. He listens to each person’s story and asks questions that clarify what matters most. He encourages small, doable steps that fit daily life and family routines.
Background and approach
Donald has worked in many settings across California and beyond, including outpatient clinics, inpatient hospitals, residential treatment, and employee assistance programs. His background includes program management, case work, and clinical services in both nonprofit and government roles. He often blends Client-Centered listening with Cognitive Behavioral tools and Mindfulness practices.
He also uses Motivational Interviewing to support change and Narrative Therapy to help people reframe difficult stories. These methods are chosen to match a person’s goals. Parents who bring worries about attachment, blended family issues, adoption and foster care, or communication problems will find practical strategies here.
Donald aims to help people rebuild connection, strengthen coping skills, and make choices that support family life. Beyond formal training, his life experience living in multiple countries and working with diverse communities shapes his work. He focuses on helping people find more joy and clearer direction in their everyday lives.
What Donald works with
Everything Donald lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Donald helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Depression
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- Abandonment
- Adoption and foster care
- Attachment issues
- Avoidant personality
- Blended family issues
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Co-morbidity
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Dependent personality
- Divorce and separation
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Gender dysphoria
- Guilt and shame
- HIV / AIDS
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Immigration issues
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Personality disorders
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Self-love
- Sex addiction
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Donald lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Therapeutic approaches for online parenting support
Client-Centered Therapy puts the parent’s perspective first. The therapist listens deeply and reflects what matters to you so you feel heard and understood. This approach helps when you need a steady, nonjudgmental space to sort out parenting decisions.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on practical tools for changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. It can help with anxiety, mood concerns, and the everyday habits that affect family routines. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and improve focus during stressful moments with children.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals, try methods, and adjust the plan based on what works for you and your family. You and the therapist will set short-term steps and review progress together.
Online therapy offers several practical benefits for busy parents. Video calls let you see facial cues and practice conversations in real time. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can fit into a short break. Live chat or text-based messaging can work for quick check-ins, journaling, or brief coaching between sessions. These options give flexibility to fit therapy into your schedule and daily life.
Questions people ask about Donald
What concerns does he address related to parenting?
He supports parents with parenting stress, blended family issues, adoption and foster care concerns, attachment worries, and communication problems.
What is his therapy style like?
His style is conversational and practical. Sessions focus on listening, clarifying goals, and trying small steps that fit family life.
How much experience does he bring?
He has forty years of experience in mental health and addictions work across clinical and program management roles.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, practicing in California.
In which languages can sessions be held?
Sessions are offered in English and Portuguese. He also accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can be held via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different schedules and needs.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to therapist availability.
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