Cassandra
Donner
Cassandra M. Donner, LCSW
cassandramichelle95@gmail.com
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.
LCSW#: 229839
NPI#: 1750137188
Professional Experience:
◈ Adult Clinician - Trauma & Sex Therapist
Harmony Bay Wellness
2024-present
Trauma
❖ Evaluate client resources, strengths and supports, and level of distress regarding traumatic experiences. Identify strengths and effective coping mechanisms.
❖ Guide clients through processing traumatic childhood experiences utilizing combination of EMDR, IFS, and inner child work. Explore somatic impact of past experiences and work with the body to release tension.
❖ Incorporate self-love, reparenting, and self-soothing strategies. Introduce post traumatic growth and support clients in achieving a more peaceful and fulfilling life.
Sex Therapy
❖ Engage clients in processing of current and past sexual functioning. Help clients examine the development of their ideas around sex. Work through any trauma or shame that presents with clients. Provide tools to manage anxiety or stress presenting during sex, including as related to performance issues and insecurity.
❖ Provide a safe and accepting place to explore sexual desires, kinks, and fears. Engage in cognitive restructuring and increasing self-compassion.
❖ Support clients in communication around their sexual desires with their partners. Work with clients to recognize their ideal sex life and find creative ways to move toward those goals.
❖ Help couples communicate about their sexual desires and needs. Introduce tools to remain embodied and communicative during sex. Encourage a playful and curious approach to expanding sexual practices and increasing sexual satisfaction.
◈ Adult Clinician - Trauma Therapist
Center for Life Management
2023-2024
❖ 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.
◈ Children’s Case Manager
Center for Life Management
2022-2023
❖ 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.
◈ Social Work Intern
New Hampshire Hospital
2021-2022
❖ 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.
◈ Child Care Counselor
St. Ann’s Home & School
2017-2023
❖ 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.
◈ Duel Clinical Research Assistant for
Dr. Francis J. McMahon &
Dr. Armin Raznahan
National Institute of Mental Health
❖ 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).
2018-2019
◈ Clinical Research Assistant for
Dr. Edward F. Pace-Schott
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.
◈ Independent Research Position for
Dr. Joshua Buckholtz
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.
◈ Safety Coordination Intern
Healing Abuse Working for Change
2014-2015
❖ 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
◈ 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)
Publications
◈ 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