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.
Additional areas of focus: 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
Clinical 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
CA LMFT 16741
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Donald Bender. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
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!
Written on May 29, 2022 after therapy with Donald for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, and compassion fatigue