Donald Bliss

Donald Bliss is a California-licensed clinical social worker with more than forty years of experience in mental health and addictions treatment. He holds both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Social Work and has worked across direct clinical services, case management and program administration.

He speaks Portuguese and has lived and worked internationally in Africa and South America as well as across the United States. Those life and professional experiences inform his natural curiosity about people, a deep interest in personal stories, and a commitment to helping clients rediscover joy or discover it for the first time.

Donald has practiced in a wide range of clinical settings, from outpatient clinics and private practice to inpatient psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment centers, community agencies and employee assistance programs. He has held roles in direct services, program design and evaluation, and program management, and has experience with individual, couple, family and group psychotherapy.

His clinical expertise includes stress, anxiety, addictions, LGBTQ issues, relationship and intimacy concerns, family conflicts, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting challenges, self-esteem, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes and coaching. He has also worked with intercultural issues, HIV/AIDS and other chronic illness-related concerns.

Donald’s academic background includes a bachelor’s specialization in Child and Adolescent Welfare and a Certificate in International/Intercultural Studies, which included independent studies in Kenya. His master’s work focused on Employee Assistance Programs and Addictions with a dual concentration in Clinical Services and Administration. He is a strong believer in ongoing professional development and has continued his training through numerous conferences and continuing education programs.

Beyond clinical roles, Donald has served on non-profit and government planning boards, managed public-benefit programs, helped facilitate and manage personal and spiritual growth intensives called The Evolution Training, and contributed relationship advice and guest columns to newspapers and magazines. He has lived in small-town and middle-sized city Michigan, Chicago, Nairobi, Austin (Texas), Washington DC, Atlanta, New York City (as a “second home”), San Francisco, and Rio de Janeiro.

As a therapist, Donald aims to support, encourage and challenge people to find the life they want. He helps clients identify their goals and take positive steps toward them, while recognizing that there is no single right path for everyone. He explores options for new ways of thinking, feeling, acting or simply being, working collaboratively to move toward greater satisfaction and well-being.

He welcomes inquiries and appreciates the time taken to learn more about his practice.