Douglas McDonald, AMFT

Douglas McDonald, AMFT

Psychotherapist
CA
4.84
“Douglas has excellent bedside manner. He explained the whole process of initiation (this is my second time on therapy), and gave me some tips already looking forward to the next session. He is a great listener and puts himself in your shoes. So far, for my first session, it is a 10/10”
Anne F.November 3, 2025
Highly recommended
95% of patients gave this doctor 5 stars
Excellent wait time
97% of patients waited less than 30 minutes
New patient appointments
Appointments available for new patients on Zocdoc

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The office partners with Zocdoc to schedule appointments
External video visit

Scheduling details

  1. See if they are in network

Available appointments

What patients are saying

Overall rating

4.84

Average wait time

4.89

Bedside manner

4.89
“Douglas has excellent bedside manner. He explained the whole process of initiation (this is my second time on therapy), and gave me some tips already looking forward to the next session. He is a great listener and puts himself in your shoes. So far, for my first session, it is a 10/10”
Anne F.November 3, 2025Video visit
“I really enjoyed talking to Douglas. I booked another session the following week. The hour went by super fast, it was a very easy and natural conversation for me. I hadn’t been in any therapy in over 10 years. ”
John H.June 27, 2025Video visit

About Douglas McDonald

Focus areas

Anxiety
LGBTQ+ Counseling
Stress
Couples Therapy
New Patient Visit
Therapy
Depression
Psychotherapy

Clientele seen

Young adults (18-24)
Couples
Adults (25-64)
Individuals

Treatment approaches

Brainspotting
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Interpersonal
Family / Marital
Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)

Identity

Gender

Male

Sexuality

Queer

Faith

Buddhist

Ethnicity

White

Languages spoken

English

Getting to know Douglas McDonald

Life can be challenging when anxiety, self-doubt, relationship concerns, life transitions, or questions about identity begin to feel overwhelming. I provide a compassionate, collaborative, and affirming space where individuals, couples, and families can explore these experiences with curiosity rather than judgment. Many of the clients I work with are seeking relief from anxiety, struggling with self-criticism, navigating difficult relationships, or trying to make sense of recurring patterns that leave them feeling stuck. Others are exploring identity, personal growth, or how to live in greater alignment with their values. I have a particular passion for supporting LGBTQIA2S+ clients and strive to create a space where all aspects of your identity are welcomed and respected. My approach is grounded in mindfulness, self-compassion, and Contemplative Psychology while drawing from Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed work, Narrative Therapy, Existential Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy. Together, we will explore the experiences and stories that have shaped your life while building greater self-awareness, emotional flexibility, resilience, and self-trust. I believe therapy is not about fixing what is broken. It is about creating space to understand yourself more deeply, strengthen your relationship with yourself and others, and move toward a life that feels more authentic and meaningful. Whatever brings you to therapy, I would be honored to support you in that process.

What should a new client know about working with you?

[Please note, we are NOT medication providers] Clients often describe my style as warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental. I view therapy as a partnership and believe you are the expert on your own life. My role is not to tell you who to be or what decisions to make, but to help you explore your experiences, better understand yourself, and identify what feels most aligned with your values and goals. I strive to create an environment where clients feel safe bringing forward difficult emotions, uncertainty, and vulnerability. Sessions may include exploring patterns, developing practical coping skills, increasing emotional awareness, and examining the stories we carry about ourselves and our relationships. Whether you are seeking support through a difficult chapter, working toward a specific goal, or simply looking to better understand yourself, I aim to meet you where you are and tailor therapy to your unique needs.

What is your typical process for working with clients?

At the time of booking, we will send you documents to complete on our client portal with Ensora. Please be aware that these docs will be coming from outside of ZocDoc. Our work together begins with getting to know you, your current concerns, and what you hope to gain from therapy. During the first few sessions, we will explore your history, strengths, challenges, relationships, and goals, and develop a shared understanding of what feels most important to address. As therapy progresses, we will identify patterns that may be contributing to distress, build skills to navigate challenges more effectively, and explore new ways of relating to yourself and others. Depending on your needs, our work may include mindfulness practices, values exploration, self-compassion, communication skills, emotional processing, and reflection on personal experiences and relationships. My goal is to help you develop greater clarity, flexibility, and confidence so that you can respond to life's challenges in ways that feel more intentional, authentic, and aligned with who you want to be.

Is this doctor in your insurance network?

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In-network insurances

Aetna
Cigna
UnitedHealthcare
200+ more in-network plans
Out-of-pocket fees and assistance
Initial session: $175 for 55 minutes
Ongoing session: $175 for 55 minutes
  • Sliding scale: Offers lower out-of-pocket fees on an individual basis, typically based on your ability to pay
  • Files your insurance claim: You pay the session fee upfront and the provider files the claim for you, so you can get reimbursed directly without worrying about the paperwork

Popular visit reasons

Cognitive-Behavioral Family Therapy
Depression
New Patient Visit
Pre-Move In Couples Counseling
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit
Therapy
Young Adult Issues
Cognitive-Behavioral Family Therapy
Depression
New Patient Visit
Pre-Move In Couples Counseling

Education and background

Practice names

Education and training

  • Pepperdine University, Master's in Clinical Psychology, Marriage, and Family Therapy

Professional memberships

  • California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists

NPI number

1861348930

Patient reviews

All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
4.84
Wait time
4.89
Bedside manner
4.89
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38 reviews
Most relevant
Don't go to any practice from Resilient Heart Therapy, they will happily take your money with no service.
Video visit
Douglas has excellent bedside manner. He explained the whole process of initiation (this is my second time on therapy), and gave me some tips already looking forward to the next session. He is a great listener and puts himself in your shoes. So far, for my first session, it is a 10/10
Verified patientVideo visit
I really enjoyed talking to Douglas. I booked another session the following week. The hour went by super fast, it was a very easy and natural conversation for me. I hadn’t been in any therapy in over 10 years.
Verified patientVideo visit
Video visit
Video visit
Video visit
Video visit
Video visit
Frequently asked questions

How soon can I make an appointment with Douglas McDonald?

Generally, Douglas McDonald has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Douglas McDonald's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.

Is Douglas McDonald accepting new patients?

Douglas McDonald generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Douglas McDonald's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.

Does Douglas McDonald accept my insurance?

Choose your insurance plan to verify if Douglas McDonald is in-network.

Can I make an appointment with Douglas McDonald online?

Yes, you can make an appointment online with Douglas McDonald using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.

What practice does Douglas McDonald work with?

What are common reasons for patients to see Douglas McDonald?

Douglas McDonald frequently sees patients for Depression, New Patient Visit, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Therapy. You can see other visit reasons for Douglas McDonald on their profile.

What languages does Douglas McDonald speak?

Douglas McDonald speaks English.

How do patients rate Douglas McDonald in reviews?

38 patients have reviewed Douglas McDonald. The overall rating for this doctor is 4.84/5. They have a 4.89/5 rating for bedside manner and a 4.89/5 rating for wait time. You can read individual reviews and ratings on their profile.

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