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Donald Bender, LMFT

Experienced mental health professional

Provides online counseling through BetterHelp

At a glance

Donald is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.

4.0 stars
Clients are very satisfied with Donald. View 1 review
Speaks English
Offers Telehealth visits
Licensed in California

Recent reviews

Don is a very wise man and therapist. You can speak openly and honestly to him about what you think and feel and he doesn't judge you regardless of how you feel. He tries to offer the best insight that he can into the situation and help to stear you into figuring out what choices are going to be the best for you in the long run, not just in the moment. I greatly respect his opinion and advice. I feel blessed and thankful that he was one of the therapists that popped up in my selections. I would recommend him to any of my friends!

Reviewed May 2022

More about Donald

  • 37 years' experience
  • Male
  • LMFT

I have been doing individual and couple therapy for over thirty years. I use a variety of therapeutic approaches, always choosing the one that best suits the immediate needs of the client. These modalities range from psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral to narrative and existential. There is even some dream and hypnotherapy added when helpful. In addition to my clinical practice, I have extensive experience doing forensic psychology, including resolving workplace disputes, custody issues, and trial consulting. My goal is to help the client find meaningful solutions to challenging life problems.

Specialties

Stress Anxiety Addictions Relationship issues Family conflicts Depression LGBT Trauma and abuse Grief Intimacy-related issues Eating disorders Sleeping disorders Parenting issues Anger management Self esteem Career difficulties Bipolar disorder Coping with life changes Coaching Compassion fatigue ADHD Abandonment Antisocial personality Attachment issues Avoidant personality Codependency Commitment issues Communication problems Control issues Coping with natural or human-caused disaster Dependent personality Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) Dissociation Divorce and separation Domestic violence Drug and alcohol addiction Eating and food-related issues Emptiness Family of origin issues Family problems First responder issues Guilt and shame Hoarding Impulsivity Infidelity Isolation / loneliness Jealousy Life purpose Midlife crisis Money and financial issues Mood disorders Narcissism Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacks Paranoia Personality disorders Phobias Postpartum depression Post-traumatic stress Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling) Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Self-harm Sex addiction Sexual assault and abuse Smoking / vaping cessation Social anxiety and phobia Workplace issues

Treatment Approaches

  • Attachment-Based Therapy
  • Client-Centered Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Existential Therapy
  • Hypnotherapy
  • Narrative Therapy
  • Psychodynamic Therapy
  • Solution-Focused Therapy

Licenses

Donald Bender's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1356962310.

  • LMFT · California · 16741 · Expires January 2025

About online counseling

Affordable.
Pay a low flat fee.
Convenient.
Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
Available now.
There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.

Online counseling, sometimes called teletherapy, refers to talk therapy delivered remotely through digital platforms, such as video calls, phone calls, or chat. It can be a great option for people who face barriers to traditional face-to-face therapy, such as those living in remote areas, individuals with mobility issues, or people with busy schedules that make it difficult to attend in-person sessions.

Teletherapy also offers greater convenience and flexibility, allowing clients to access care from the comfort of their homes. Research shows that the treatment outcomes with online counseling are often just as effective as with traditional therapy, providing a viable alternative for individuals seeking mental health support.

Reviews for Donald Bender

All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.

Overall rating:

4.0

1 review

5
4
3
2
1

Clients mention: The best Recommend Thankful

Don is a very wise man and therapist. You can speak openly and honestly to him about what you think and feel and he doesn't judge you regardless of how you feel. He tries to offer the best insight that he can into the situation and help to stear you into figuring out what choices are going to be the best for you in the long run, not just in the moment. I greatly respect his opinion and advice. I feel blessed and thankful that he was one of the therapists that popped up in my selections. I would recommend him to any of my friends!

Reviewed May 2022

How was your experience with Donald?

Frequently asked questions

Does Donald Bender offer telehealth visits?

Yes. Donald Bender works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.

What language(s) does Donald Bender speak?

Donald Bender speaks English.

How many years of experience does Donald Bender have?

Donald Bender has 37 years of experience.

Where is Donald Bender licensed to practice?

Donald Bender is licensed to practice in California.

Does Donald Bender accept clients outside of the United States?

No, Donald Bender does not accept clients outside of the United States.

Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?

Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."

What treatment approaches does Donald Bender offer?

Donald Bender offers clients Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Existential Therapy, Hypnotherapy, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy.

How can I communicate with Donald Bender?

Donald Bender can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.

How do I get started with Donald Bender?

Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.

Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.

And recovery is possible.

Messaging
Live Chat
Phone
Video

When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.