Therapist profile
Trina McDonald, LPC, LCPC
Licensed counselor - Family and parenting focus
Continue with TrinaAbout
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
About Trina
Trina McDonald is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with ten years of experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, grief, relationship strain, trauma and related concerns. Trina lists family and parenting among her focus areas and also addresses caregiver stress and communication problems.
She uses a client-centered style that starts with what each person brings to the room. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a common thread in her work, and she combines that with motivational interviewing and narrative approaches when useful. Sessions focus on practical steps, changing patterns that cause distress, and reshaping personal stories that get in the way.
Trina has worked in a range of settings, including private practice and with people living with HIV/AIDS, military personnel, and people who were incarcerated. That background informs how she talks about recovery, coping, and rebuilding routines after life changes.
Faith and spirituality are part of her approach when clients want that. She draws on Christian beliefs such as hope and love to support confidence and self-worth, and to reinforce recovery goals for those dealing with substance use disorder.
People who come for help can expect a straightforward focus on behavior, thoughts, and relationships. Sessions aim to identify clear goals and small, manageable steps toward them. Clients who prefer to include faith in sessions can do so as part of the work.
How sessions work
How her approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the person’s own goals and experience. In online sessions that means the conversation follows what matters most to the client and builds on their strengths to address family stress, caregiver burnout, or relationship concerns.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) targets thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going. Online CBT sessions often include practical exercises, homework between meetings, and step-by-step plans to reduce anxiety, manage mood, or change unhelpful patterns.
Motivational Interviewing helps people resolve mixed feelings about change. In remote sessions this looks like short, goal-focused conversations that build motivation and clear next steps, which can be useful for substance use, recovery maintenance, or behavior changes.
Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That decision can change over time as progress is made.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit meetings into a busy life, shorten check-ins when needed, and avoid travel time. It also allows therapists to use worksheets, written reflections, and recorded summaries that clients can review between sessions.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Listed in
North Carolina, New Jersey, Alaska, Washington, Florida, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She helps people managing stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, grief, relationship and family problems, trauma, intimacy issues, anger, and coping with life changes.
What is her therapy style like?
Her style is client-centered with a strong CBT foundation. She also uses motivational interviewing and narrative techniques to support change.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has ten years of experience working in private practice and other settings, including work with people living with HIV/AIDS and military personnel.
What credentials and region does she practice in?
She holds LPC and LCPC credentials, with licensing noted as AZ LPC and NV LCPC, and lists North Carolina as her location.
Does she work in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are accepted.
How are sessions paid for?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start a session with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.