Cassandra Donner, LICSW
contact@cassandramichelle.org
LICSW1121389
NPI#: 1750137188
CAQH ID: 16725372
I treat trauma using an integrative approach of EMDR, DBT, CBT, IFS, inner child work, polyvagal theory, nature-based therapy, embodiment practices, and client-led spirituality.
Professional Experience:
Cerebral Institute
2025-present
◈ Adult Clinician - Trauma Therapist
❖ Evaluate and identify client resources and needs. Introduce appropriate grounding and self-soothing strategies and work with client to create safety and stability throughout the therapeutic process.
❖ Guide clients through reprocessing traumatic childhood experiences utilizing integrative approach rooted in EMDR, IFS, inner child work, and nature-based therapy. Explore somatic impact of experiences and work with the body to release tension and find rest and comfort.
❖ Incorporate self-compassion, reparenting, and regulatory strategies. Explore post traumatic growth and support clients in crafting and working toward a content, dynamic, fulfilling life.
Harmony Bay Wellness
2024-2025
◈ Adult Clinician - Trauma & Sex Therapist
Trauma
❖ Evaluated client resources, strengths and supports, and level of distress regarding traumatic experiences. Identified strengths and effective coping mechanisms.
❖ Guided clients through reprocessing traumatic childhood experiences utilizing combination of EMDR, IFS, and inner child work. Explored somatic impact of past experiences and worked with the body to release tension.
❖ Incorporated self-love, reparenting, and self-soothing strategies. Introduced post traumatic growth and supported clients in achieving a more peaceful and fulfilling life.
Sex Therapy
❖ Engaged clients in processing current and past sexual functioning. Helped clients examine their ideas around sex. Provided tools to manage anxiety or stress presenting during sex, including as related to performance issues and insecurity.
❖ Provided a safe and accepting place to explore sexual desires and resistance. Engaged in cognitive restructuring and increasing self-compassion.
❖ Supported clients in communication around their sexual desires with their partners. Worked with clients to recognize their ideal sex life and find creative ways to move toward those goals.
❖ Helped couples communicate about their sexual desires and needs. Introduced tools to remain embodied and communicative during sex. Encouraged a playful and curious approach to expanding sexual practices and increasing sexual satisfaction.
Center for Life Management
2023-2024
◈ Adult Clinician - Trauma Therapist
❖ Worked with adults specializing in posttraumatic stress, borderline personality disorder, and childhood trauma.
❖ Used an eclectic approach that includes inner child work, internal family systems, connection, cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, body work, and meditation.
❖ Worked closely with each individual to discover a tailored approach to the therapeutic relationship and to identify needs and goals.
Center for Life Management
2022-2023
◈ Children’s Case Manager
❖ Worked with youth ages four to twenty-two on accessing care for a variety of presentations including anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, OCD, ADHD, and BPD.
❖ Met individually with children, teenagers, and young adults to implement coping and distress tolerance skills in the community.
❖ Introduced new strategies for emotional management including journaling, mindful meditation, cognitive restructuring, distress tolerance, and reflection.
❖ Managed paperwork and complete daily clinical documentation, quarterly and annual assessments, treatment reviews, and updated treatment plans.
❖ Worked professionally with outside agencies and stakeholders to provide comprehensive care.
New Hampshire Hospital
2021-2022
◈ Social Work Intern
❖ Worked with adult clients presenting with a variety of severe mental illnesses, developmental delays, and behavioral challenges in an inpatient setting.
❖ Assessed client needs, collaborate with clients to identify their areas of need and to build upon their strengths.
❖ Implemented novel methods of symptom management and de-escalation techniques to clients with varying needs (e.g., incorporating picture prompts and physical activity or advocating for work in the hospital’s greenhouse).
❖ Collaborated with internal and external service providers to connect patients with necessary services.
❖ Kept informed of evidence-based treatment methods and incorporate aspects into daily care in a hospital setting.
St. Ann’s Home & School
2017-2023
◈ Child Care Counselor
❖ Provide trauma-informed care and interventions for children with a variety of behavioral, anxiety, attachment, and mood disorders.
❖ Participate in crisis intervention and de-escalation using Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) training principles.
❖ Use aspects of ABA to increase healthy coping mechanisms and choices, and to reduce maladaptive behaviors.
❖ Utilize self-directed learning to find research-supported practices for use with residents; provide unconditional positive regard and strength-based therapeutic care.
❖ Implement novel and holistic methods into the group home including yoga and physical activity, meditation, and nutritional support for residents.
National Institute of Mental Health
2018-2019
❖ Offered empathetic support to individuals and family members affected with severe mental illness.
❖ Provided culturally competent daily interaction with Anabaptist and English participants through recruitment, scheduling, and neurocognitive testing.
❖ Interviewed family members regarding affected individuals and provided support while discussing sensitive subject matters using the Family Interview for Genetic Studies (FIGS).
❖ Performed neurocognitive testing and psychiatric treatment for children with a range of psychiatric presentations.
❖ Wrote and published one first-author publication, and worked collaboratively on another lab publication (see below).
◈ Duel Clinical Research Assistant for
Dr. Francis J. McMahon &
Dr. Armin Raznahan
Harvard Medical School
2016-2017
❖ Developed clinical skills through clinical interview (SCID) shadowing, participant recruitment, and screening interviews.
❖ Therapeutic interaction with PTSD-diagnosed volunteer research participants.
❖ Attended conferences and worked on poster presentations around PTSD and sleep.
❖ Data entry and other daily administrative duties.
◈ Clinical Research Assistant for
Dr. Edward F. Pace-Schott
Harvard Medical School
2016-2017
❖ Gained initial experience working in a professional research setting.
❖ Received reading assignments to expand clinical understanding of addiction, trauma, and sociopathy.
❖ Gained experience drafting journal articles for publication.
◈ Independent Research Position for
Dr. Joshua Buckholtz
Healing Abuse Working for Change
2014-2015
◈ Safety Coordination Intern
❖ Developed critical thinking skills to brainstorm safety plans for survivors of domestic violence; problem-solved with clients to improve their safety.
❖ Conducted clinical interviews with clients who suffered from physical, mental, and sexual abuse.
❖ Observed and reported on potential external factors that influenced psychopathology, including but not limited to substance abuse and income level.
Education
◈ Master of Social Work (MSW)
Salem State University
2023
3.94
◈ Bachelor’s of Science (BS)
Salem State University
2016
3.86
summa cum laude
Publications
◈ Validity of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) as a Screening Tool for Bipolar Spectrum Disorders in Anabaptist Populations. (Donner (Dumont), Cassandra M.; Sheridan, Laura M.; Besancon, Emily K.; Blattner, Meghan; Lopes, Fabiana; Kassem, Layla; McMahon, Francis J.) Journal of Psychiatric Research. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.01.011).
◈ An Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) Resource from Genetically Isolated Families with Mood and Psychotic Disorders (Detera-Wadleigh, Sevilla D.; Kassem, Layla; Besancon, Emily; Lopes, Fabiana; Akula, Nirmala; Blattner, Meghan; Sheridan, Laura; Garcia, Joshua; Donner, Cassandra; Salvini, Claudio; Chen, David; Schulze, Thomas; Gordovez, Francis; England, Bryce; Song, Christopher; Cross, Joanna; Jiang, Xueying, Corona, Winston; Russ, Jill; Mallon, Barbara; Dutra, Amalia; Pak, Evgenia; Steiner, Joe; Malik, Nasir; de Guzman, Theresa; McMahon, Francis J.) (2023) Translational Psychiatry. (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-023-02641-w)
◈ Body Image and Sexuality: Befriending the Sexual Self After Trauma
◈ Treating Compulsive & Addictive Sexual Behavior: Advances in Research, Diagnosis & Treatment
◈ Couples Therapy Intensive Course: Navigating Modern Relationships with Esther Perel, Ellyn Bader, Tammy Nelson, and more
◈ Telehealth: Crisis Management with High Risk Clients
◈ EMDR and Telehealth Mastery Course: Advanced EMDR Trauma Treatments via Telehealth & In-Person
◈ Integrative Sex and Couples Certification Training with Tammy Nelson: Certified Sex Therapy Informed Professional (CSTIP) Course
◈ The Complete IFS for Couples Course: Parts Work Approaches for Reconnection, Deeper Intimacy, Better Sex, and More
◈ From Shutdown to Safety: Applying Polyvagal Theory in Complex Trauma Recovery