Individual and Family Therapist

Elizabeth Dondero, LCSW

​I graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2003 with a Master's in Social Work. I have worked in the triangle area providing direct clinical services to numerous populations over the last 20 years.


I believe when we can sit with our feelings and examine our thoughts we have an increased ability to understand our decisions and behaviors as well as the choices that are available to us. I utilize a non judgmental and warm approach to fully understand where my clients are in their journey.  I believe my clients present me with an enormous gift by sharing their vulnerabilities and strengths; I take therapy seriously and hope that each session is productive and my clients leave with a broader understanding of themselves.  I openly welcome clients of color, immigrants, queer and trans* clients, and clients of all genders.


I provide individual counseling to adolescents, and adults; I work with individuals, couples, and with families to help each person identify their own strengths and contributions to creating a life worth living. I have over fifteen years experience  providing trauma focused work, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and family systems therapy.  I am comfortable treating a number of symptoms, including, but not limited to: trauma, sexual abuse, incest, trafficking, adoption issues, attachment disruptions, depression, anxiety, interpersonal conflict, difficulties with emotion regulation, self harming behaviors, suicidal ideation, parenting and co-parenting difficulties.


  • Eye Movement Reprocessing and Desensitization (EMDR) therapist--EMDR is an evidence based treatment for PTSD. By using bilateral stimulation (usually eye movements) traumatic experiences are integrated and fully processed resulting in a reduction in disturbing memories, present triggers and other symptoms of anxiety, depression, and physical reactions. Learn more here.  I have received advanced training in dissociation and Dissociative Identity Disorder and the use of EMDR to address the trauma that contributed to these coping skills/symptoms. 


  • Internal Family Systems trained-- IFS is a transformative tool that conceives of every human being as a system of protective and wounded inner parts led by a core Self. We believe the mind is naturally multiple and that is a good thing. Just like members of a family, inner parts are forced from their valuable states into extreme roles within us. Self is in everyone. It can’t be damaged. It knows how to heal. Learn more here


  • Nationally Certified in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy--an evidence based practice for treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in children and adolescents. Learn more here. 


  • Intensively Trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy--an evidence based practice for creating a life worth living and increasing skills for emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, mindfulness, and distress tolerance. I am able to provide this to adults and adolescents. Learn more here. 


  • Accredited in the Positive Parenting Program, "Triple P"--an evidence based program to increase parenting skills for parents of younger children. Learn more here.


As a therapist in this field I also recognize the need to care for and support the community of people who provide clinical services. I have spent several years providing therapy to therapists and helping clinicians in their own growth process develop their skills and take care of themselves.