About Donald
Donald Shawler is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with 20 years of experience helping adults facing depression, anxiety, anger, and life transitions. He practices in Illinois and works with people on a wide range of concerns, from addiction and grief to intimacy and career stress. Donald uses straightforward language and practical steps in sessions.
He aims to make therapy feel respectful and down-to-earth. Donald blends several approaches to meet each person where they are.
How Donald works
He uses Client-Centered Therapy to listen carefully and build a trusting working relationship. He applies Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, teaching people ways to notice and reframe thoughts that keep them stuck. He also draws on Emotionally-Focused Therapy to help with closeness and communication issues when intimacy or relationships are involved.
Sessions focus on clear goals and tools that people can use between meetings. He teaches anger management skills and strategies for coping with cravings, impulsivity, and low self-esteem. He also helps with grief, trauma, and the stress that comes with caregiving or aging concerns.
Donald describes his approach as collaborative and practical. He works with clients to set achievable steps and tracks progress over time. His style is direct but compassionate, with an emphasis on problem-solving and emotional understanding.
People who choose Donald often want concrete strategies alongside supportive listening. He accepts clients from Illinois and international clients for online work. Sessions are offered in English.
Donald lists 7 ways of working on the entry:
What Donald works with
The areas below are the ones Donald selected when setting up a profile. The first few are listed as the main focus; the rest are also named.
- Stress, Anxiety
- LGBT
- Anger management
Also listed
- Addictions
- Aging and geriatric issues
- BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture
- Bipolar disorder
- Blended family issues
- Body image
- Career difficulties
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Coaching
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Compassion fatigue
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Divorce and separation
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Emptiness
- Family conflicts
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Grief
- Guilt and shame
- HIV / AIDS
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Intimacy-related issues
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Relationship issues
- Self esteem
- Self-love
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Trauma and abuse
- Workplace issues
Training and background
| Register | LCPC |
|---|---|
| Years in practice | 20 |
| Languages | English |
| Session format | Online: video, phone, live chat or messaging |
| Country | Illinois |
Memberships and registers are shown as supplied; they are not licences, and this directory does not verify them.
Online support options
Therapeutic approaches for online care
Donald commonly uses Client-Centered Therapy, which prioritizes listening and creating a nonjudgmental space so clients feel understood and can explore what matters to them. This approach helps when someone needs acceptance and steady support while sorting out difficult feelings or decisions.He also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a hands-on method that helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and practice new ways of thinking and acting. CBT is useful for anxiety, depression, anger, and patterns that lead to impulsive behavior or substance use.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or has not worked before. Together they decide whether to focus on emotional processing, practical skills, or a mix of approaches and then adjust as work progresses.
Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs. Video sessions allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Live chat and text messaging are useful for short check-ins, ongoing coaching, or when writing helps people reflect between sessions. These options make scheduling more flexible and help therapy fit into busy lives.
Start online instead of waiting
Our partner service asks a few questions about what you are looking for and matches you with a therapist for sessions from home.
Book with DonaldWe will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you.
Common questions
What concerns does Donald address?
What is his therapy style like?
How much clinical experience does he have?
Where is he based and licensed?
Which languages are offered for sessions?
What formats are available for sessions?
How does payment and cost work?
How do I begin working with him?
A practical next step
Write down two things you would want to be different in six months. That is the most useful thing to bring to a first session, whoever it is with. If you would rather start now than keep reading, online sessions are the quickest route.
We will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you. Entries are not assessed or endorsed by this directory.
Other entries for stress, anxiety
Supportive LCSW helping people build strength and clarity
Practical, trauma-aware therapy for everyday life
Practical, relational therapy for life transitions