Richard McDonald

Compassionate, practical therapy for life's challenges

LCMHC North Carolina

Experience: 5 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Anger
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Richard

Richard McDonald is a licensed mental health counselor (LCMHC) based in North Carolina who focuses on helping people navigate stress, anxiety, addiction, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, grief, and major life changes.

Background and approach

He draws on five years of clinical counseling experience to create practical plans that address self-esteem, anger, parenting concerns, bipolar and mood disorders, and other complex challenges such as panic, post-traumatic stress, and multicultural issues. His approach blends evidence-based methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with acceptance-oriented and mindfulness practices, plus client-centered listening and skills training.

Richard aims to collaborate with each person to identify patterns that maintain distress and to teach concrete tools for coping, decision-making, and emotional regulation. He also works with issues tied to adoption and foster care, substance use and recovery, caregiver stress, impulsivity, and questions of life purpose and money.

Sessions emphasize practical skill-building and personal reflection so clients leave with strategies they can apply between meetings. Richard seeks to tailor treatment to individual needs, adjusting methods and pacing to match each person’s goals and preferences.

How cognitive and acceptance-based work translates to online therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and replacing them with more effective patterns; it is often used for anxiety, depression, panic, and many day-to-day stressors and lends itself well to goal-oriented online work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emphasizes clarifying values, accepting difficult internal experiences, and committing to actions that align with what matters, which can help with issues like trauma, avoidance, and life transitions. Client-Centered Therapy centers the client’s experience and emphasizes empathy, active listening, and collaboration to create a respectful space for self-exploration and growth.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and the therapist will work together with each person to decide which combination of methods best fits their needs, goals, and preferences. That collaborative decision-making helps shape a tailored plan and allows adjustments over time as progress and challenges emerge.

Online therapy offers flexibility by allowing meetings through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit counseling into busy schedules or to maintain continuity through life changes. These formats support the same practical skill-building and reflective work used in face-to-face sessions while providing greater access and scheduling options with licensed professionals.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly address?

He works with a broad range of concerns including stress, anxiety, addictions, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and family issues, anger, self-esteem, parenting, bipolar and coping with life changes.

What therapeutic style can I expect in sessions?

Sessions combine practical, skills-based techniques with empathetic client-centered listening; the work often emphasizes identifying patterns and practicing tools for emotional regulation and behavior change.

How much clinical experience does he have?

The therapist has five years of counseling experience and draws on that background when tailoring treatment plans and selecting approaches for each client.

What are his credentials and where is he located?

He is licensed as an LCMHC in North Carolina with licence number NC LCMHC 14159 and provides services while based in that state.

Which languages are supported and can international clients join?

Sessions are offered in English, and he is not accepting international clients at this time.

In what formats are sessions available?

Clients can meet by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on their needs and scheduling.

How are sessions billed and what does therapy cost?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to begin working together?

Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to the therapist’s availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety AddictionsAnger managementSelf esteem Depression

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse GriefParenting issuesBipolar disorderCoping with life changes

Additional focus areas

Adoption and foster careAntisocial personalityCaregiver issues and stressDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Drug and alcohol addictionFamily problemsGuilt and shame ImpulsivityLife purposeMen's issuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacks Post-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSocial anxiety and phobia

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

5+ years

Licensed

North Carolina

Languages

English