Dr. Donald Strauss , MD, LCSW-C, LISW

Dr. Donald Strauss brings a seasoned, evidence-informed approach to clinical social work and mental health care. He has worked with a wide variety of presenting issues and in recent years has concentrated on supporting people facing deteriorative neurodegenerative disorders such as ALS and MS, life-altering burn injuries, bipolar disorder, and other chronic mental health conditions. He also provides focused care for helping professionals who are experiencing compassion fatigue.

Dr. Strauss earned an MSW from Florida State University and a Ph.D. in Clinical Social Work from the University of Maryland. He is a member of the Academy of Clinical Social Work (ACSW) and is a Board Certified Diplomat in Social Work (BCD). He also holds the credentials MD, LCSW-C, and LISW - MD denotes a medical doctor, while LCSW-C and LISW are clinical social work licenses that indicate advanced training and authorization to practice clinical social work.

His primary treatment modalities include Cognitive Behavioral approaches and behavioral health interventions guided by evidence-based findings. His work emphasizes offering alternatives to life strategies that no longer serve the individual, introducing new ways to approach challenges within the supportive context of the helping relationship. That process commonly incorporates problem solving and cognitive strategies to shape thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, with specific evidence-generated interventions applied when they best fit the presenting concern.

Therapeutic Approaches Adapted for Online Care

Dr. Donald Strauss uses several well-established approaches that translate effectively to remote work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors; it is often applied to anxiety, depression, sleep and eating concerns, and many stress-related problems. Attachment-Based Therapy explores relational patterns formed early in life and how they affect current relationships and intimacy, helping individuals understand and revise attachment-related responses. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathic listening and collaboration, creating space for clients to lead the pace of change while the therapist supports their self-directed growth.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Dr. Strauss works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. That collaborative process may combine elements from different approaches to create a tailored plan.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility: sessions can take place via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit busy schedules, geographic constraints, or varying energy levels. These options make it easier for people to access licensed professionals and continue consistent care while balancing work, caregiving, or health challenges.