Donna Kerington (She/Her)

MS, LPC-Associate

Hello,

I’m Donna Kerington, LPC-Associate supervised by Jennifer Buffalo, LPC-S, LMFT.

Welcome! Before we go any further, may I suggest something to consider as you search for a therapist? Research shows that what makes the difference in therapy is the connection between you and your therapist. I offer a free consultation so you can see if there is a possible connection between us – intuitively. Yep, when it comes down to it, ya gotta like us and relate to us if this is going to work. With that connection, plus evidence-based therapy, if you add your openness and willingness to the process, real magic can happen!

When it comes to the pursuit of mental health, I am committed to being candid – which sometimes means I am gently straightforward, with a dash of compassionate humor. Embracing the unconventional is my thing, and sometimes, it takes what I call “not-so-random acts of gentle anarchy” to be who we want to be.

I love working with introverts; you guys’ (quietly) rock! I also have a passion for people who have reached adulthood and are now wondering, “What’s wrong with me?” No one has a clue about the internal struggle you experience. Maybe you dodged the problems your siblings or parents had, but something still isn’t right. Sometimes, when there are major problems in your family of origin, all energy goes to dealing with them. Or maybe your parents were trying so hard to pay the bills there was no energy left to pay attention. No one is to blame, but sometimes wisdom and life skills don’t get passed on in the scramble to survive. That could be what you are feeling now. Something that is missing. It’s not too late to fill the gaps.

My own journey has been littered with all kinds of issues. Within my own extended family, I can list the chaos caused by schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, and identity issues. Rigid beliefs, shallow religious understanding, poverty, and shame dealt their own unique brands of pain. I have witnessed (and experienced) people grappling in the dark, reacting ineffectively to life’s twists and creating more chaos. My mission became to empower people with choices they never knew they had and guide them toward outcomes that have meaning for them.

My personal remedy for life’s chaos is nature. I experience awe as often as I can. I am curious about geology, archaeology, ecology, astronomy, botany, and wildlife. I don’t need the official name of anything; I just want the meaning and the story behind it. Speaking of stories, the life I have chosen has significantly been shaped by Star Trek and Star Wars, and I love the Marvel Multiverse (we all need heroes). I love the idea of fantasy futures, but I also have cave art posters all over my home. Symbols and metaphors, anyone?

So, now that you know a little about me, do you want to arrange that free consultation? What does your most powerful internal navigation system, your intuition, say? Then do that! Call several therapists to feel more confident in your choice! I wish you the best in the pursuit of the person you want to be and in finding someone to guide you along the way.