Donald McRae

Donald McRae is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) practicing in North Carolina. He focuses on common struggles like stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, relationship strain, grief, and coping with life changes. He offers straightforward, practical help for sleep problems, parenting concerns, anger, self-esteem, and workplace stress.

With 25 years of clinical experience, he draws on a mix of therapies to match what a person needs. He uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to spot unhelpful thoughts and change behaviors. He also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills for emotion regulation and Mindfulness practices to reduce reactivity.

Donald has worked in community mental health clinics, on military bases, and with not-for-profit agencies. That background includes leading psychotherapy groups and offering individual counseling. His experience includes work related to trauma, caregiver stress, aging and geriatric issues, and veteran and armed forces concerns.

He describes his style as nonjudgmental, empathetic, and compassionate. Sessions focus on practical steps and clear goals rather than vague talk. He encourages people who are ready to explore themselves and make deliberate changes.

People seeking support can expect a collaborative process that balances skills practice, short-term problem solving, and deeper work when needed. Donald blends Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and brief solution-focused techniques when they fit the person’s goals.

How his approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters to them and take action aligned with those values. It can be useful when coping with life changes, grief, or persistent stress. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and changing behaviors through practice and homework, a good fit for anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches concrete skills for managing intense emotions, improving relationships, and tolerating distress.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist works collaboratively to match methods to each person’s goals, needs, and preferences. That may mean starting with skills-based CBT or DBT tools and adding ACT or motivational interviewing as readiness and goals evolve.

The original profile does not list specific online session formats, so confirm the available options before scheduling. Many people find online work helps fit therapy into a busy life by reducing travel time, allowing shorter check-ins during a break, or avoiding the need to be on camera for every session. Licensed professionals can adapt worksheets, mindfulness exercises, and skills coaching to remote sessions to keep momentum between meetings.