Donna Mcallister, BACP

Donna Mcallister is a counsellor with a Bachelor of Arts in Therapeutic Counselling (HONS) and three years of professional experience. She works with people who are coping with stress, anxiety and depression and supports those feeling burned out. Donna aims to build a trusting working relationship where clients can talk openly about what they are feeling.

Her approach is conversational and down to earth. She helps people name their thoughts and emotions and look at what gets in the way of change. Sessions focus on practical steps as well as understanding patterns that keep problems going.

Donna uses a blend of methods suited to the person she is working with, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. She also draws on attachment ideas and client-centred ways of working to strengthen emotional awareness and self-compassion.

She offers support for a wide range of concerns such as relationship strain, self-esteem difficulties, grief, trauma and addiction. Additional areas she addresses include parenting stresses, chronic health challenges, neurodiversity concerns and career-related strain.

People who come to Donna can expect a respectful, non-judgemental space to talk things through and to set realistic goals. The first session looks at what matters most and what kind of practical steps might help next.

How these approaches translate to online counselling

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and choose actions that match their values; it is useful for anxiety, low mood and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and introduces practical strategies to change unhelpful patterns. Attachment-Based ideas focus on understanding relational patterns and how early connections shape current responses, which can help with intimacy concerns and emotional regulation.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The counsellor will talk with the client about their goals and preferences and suggest which methods might help most. Together they will adapt techniques to fit the person’s day-to-day life and what feels manageable.

The original biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm available options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions around work, caregiving or travel and reduce time spent on commuting. It can also allow shorter check-ins when a quick review is needed or quieter, longer sessions when more space is helpful. Registered and accredited professionals aim to make therapy practical and usable within everyday routines.