Christine Donaldson Psychotherapy
About

A warm, relational, depth-oriented way of working.

I'm Christine Donaldson, an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) practicing in Mill Valley, California and via telehealth throughout the state. I work with individuals and couples who are seeking to transform their inner conflicts into insight and growth.

Christine Donaldson, APCC — therapist in Mill Valley, California

I believe that emotional pain often serves as a signal that something deeper is asking for our attention. Whether you're feeling anxious, overwhelmed, stuck in painful relationship patterns, navigating a major life transition, or simply sensing that something isn't working the way it used to, therapy can offer a space to slow down, listen more closely, and reconnect with yourself.

My approach is warm, collaborative, and depth-oriented. I see therapy as a relationship we build together—one rooted in curiosity, trust, and compassion. You don't need to have everything figured out before coming to therapy. In fact, many people begin therapy because they don't fully understand why they're struggling; they simply know they want something to feel different.

Together, we'll explore not only the challenges bringing you to therapy today, but also the experiences, beliefs, and relationship patterns that may be shaping how you move through the world. I often find that when we have space to talk openly about our thoughts, emotions, and experiences, they become less overwhelming, less frightening, and easier to understand. From there, meaningful change becomes possible.

I work with adults and couples experiencing anxiety, depression, burnout, relationship challenges, perfectionism, life transitions, and questions of identity and purpose. I have a particular interest in supporting high-achieving professionals who may appear successful on the outside while feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or uncertain beneath the surface.

My work is informed by psychodynamic, relational, cognitive behavioral, mindfulness-based, somatic, and strengths-based approaches. Rather than focusing solely on symptom relief, I aim to help clients understand the deeper patterns that shape how they relate to themselves, others, and the world around them. I believe healing happens when we can approach our experiences with curiosity instead of judgment and feel supported as we move toward meaningful, lasting change.

Before becoming a therapist, I spent nearly two decades working in the technology industry. That experience gives me a firsthand understanding of the pressures many professionals face, including career stress, burnout, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and the challenge of balancing achievement with personal well-being. Earlier in my career, I studied music and became a certified yoga teacher—experiences that deepened my appreciation for creativity, mindfulness, and the connection between mind and body. These perspectives continue to inform the way I show up as a therapist today.

Above all, my goal is to create a space where you feel genuinely seen, understood, and accepted. I believe that each person already possesses an innate capacity for growth and healing, and that therapy can help uncover what has been there all along. It would be a privilege to support you as you deepen your understanding of yourself, strengthen your relationships, and create a life that feels more connected, authentic, and fulfilling.

The Approach

Symptom relief is the floor, not the ceiling.

Most high-achievers arrive already fluent in self-optimization. What's often missing is a slower, deeper conversation with the parts of themselves they've been overriding for years. That's where we work.

01

Depth, not just tools

Coping strategies help, and we use them. The deeper work is understanding what your symptoms are signaling — and what wants to be heard, not just managed.

02

Integrative & evidence-based

I draw on psychodynamic, relational, cognitive behavioral (CBT) and dialectical behavior (DBT) therapies, alongside mindfulness and somatic approaches. The frame follows you, not the other way around.

03

Warm & relational

Real change happens inside a real relationship. I'm present, warm, direct, and willing to be surprised by you. You are not a case; you are a person I am learning.

04

Mindful & body-informed

Anxiety, burnout, and stress live in the nervous system as much as the mind. We work at the pace of the body, not the pace of the calendar.

05

Toward growth

The endpoint isn't a quieter, more efficient version of the same braced life. It's a return to expressiveness, aliveness, and being more fully at home in yourself.

Areas of Focus

What I work with.

AnxietyDepressionLife TransitionsBurnoutStressGriefTrauma & PTSDSelf-EsteemMood DisordersCoping SkillsWomen's IssuesSports Performance
Education

MA, Clinical Counseling Northwestern University, 2025 BA, Music Performance Thornton School of Music, University of Southern California

Licensure

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Associate #20063 Supervised by Laura Rose, LMFT #83808

Client Focus

Young Adults, Adults & Elders Individuals & Couples LGBTQ+ Allied

Logistics

The practical details.

Sessions
50 minutes, typically weekly. After-work times available several days a week for busy professionals.
Format
In-person at 655 Redwood Highway, Mill Valley. Telehealth throughout California.
Fees
$200 individual session · $280 couples session
Payment
ACH bank transfer, Apple Cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover
Who I See
Young adults, adults, and elders — individuals and couples. LGBTQ+ allied.
Consultation
A free 15-minute phone call before we begin.

Ready to begin?

Schedule a Consult