Donna Jeane Pappas

Donna Jeane Pappas is a licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in North Carolina (NC LCMHC 833) with more than 32 years of professional experience. She supports people seeking change—whether they are navigating life transitions, pursuing new directions, or working to improve their everyday well-being—and partners with them to design a life that reflects their values and strengths.

She finds energy in guiding clients toward a more satisfying life, emphasizing that happiness can be developed amid everyday ups and downs as well as during significant challenges. Across a diverse career, the consistent themes in her work are helping clients gain perspective and grow from life’s difficulties.

Donna has worked with individuals and families facing major health concerns and life-threatening illnesses, and she has assisted clients through the grieving process after significant losses. She also supports people managing developmental milestones such as starting college, beginning a new career, planning for retirement, navigating relationships, parenting, and the transitions that come with caring for adult children or aging parents.

Her role is to introduce practical tools while reviewing what has helped in the past, then combine those insights into strategies for problem solving and improving day-to-day experience. Her therapeutic approach blends positive psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, reality therapy, solution-focused techniques, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Central to her work is understanding each person’s strengths, values, and vision of their best self.

Donna prioritizes meeting clients where they are with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. She collaborates with clients to clarify concerns and needs, then develops a treatment plan and goals together. The process begins with small steps forward - she aims to partner with clients to support, equip, and empower them as they move ahead.