Octave
Dona Schaffer avatar
LMFTshe/her

Dona Schaffer

VirtualHigh Satisfaction Rate

9 years of experience

Verified by Octave

Licensed

In California

In-Network

Accepting 8 Insurance providers

Meet Dona

When life feels overwhelming, painful emotions, behavioral challenges, and everyday stressors can be difficult to navigate alone. As a licensed therapist, I offer compassionate, collaborative support to help you feel safe, understood, and empowered in therapy. I listen closely to your concerns and work with you to develop goals tailored to your individual needs. Drawing from human-centered, Solution-Focused, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approaches, I’ll help you build practical tools, understand your experiences, and move through challenges with greater clarity and confidence. My goal is to support you in overcoming obstacles and creating a life that feels more manageable and fulfilling.

I will listen carefully to your concerns and will work with you to develop treatment goals tailored to your individual needs.

Communication Style

  • Action-oriented
  • Calming
  • Casual
  • Exploratory
  • Holistic

Specialties & Approaches

Specialties

Experienced with

  • Parents
  • Students

Approach

  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
  • Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
  • Psychodynamic
  • Solution-Focused
  • Strengths-Based

Licensed In

Locations

Virtual appointments available for California residents

Good to know

Session Details

Practices in

Languages

Additional

Interests

My passion is travel. I enjoy exploring other communities and cultures. Anything that I can do outside in nature is a bonus. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family.

Credentials & Verification

Verified by Octave

License number

#115540 • California • LMFT

Education

MS - Counseling Psychology, California Baptist University

Dona Schaffer, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist License #115540 (exp September 2027)

Calculate Cost & Insurance

$28

/ session on average with insurance

What insurance do you have?

Frequently asked questions

Dona Schaffer accepts Cigna Healthcare/Evernorth, Blue Shield of California, Centivo, Aetna, Health Net, Anthem Blue Cross of CA, Out-of-State BlueCard PPO, and Prime Health. Octave clients pay an average of $28 per session through insurance, and more than 95% pay less than $45 per session. Your exact cost depends on your plan’s copay or deductible. You can use the cost estimator to see what you would pay before your first session. If you would rather pay out of pocket, self-pay sessions in California are estimated at $205-250 per session.

Dona Schaffer is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Dona is licensed to practice in California, so clients located in California can book sessions. Dona’s California license number is 115540, and you can look it up through the state licensing board. Octave verifies every therapist’s license before they begin seeing clients, and licenses are kept current as a condition of practicing with Octave.

Dona Schaffer has been practicing therapy for 9 years. Dona’s education and training include MS - Counseling Psychology, California Baptist University. Over that time, Dona has worked closely with Parents and Students.

Dona Schaffer works with Parents and Students and specializes in ADHD, Anxiety, Burnout, Depression, Family Conflict, Grief, Life Transitions, Panic, Stress, and Women's Issues. These are the areas where Dona spends most of their clinical time. If the concern you want help with isn’t listed here, a Care Navigator can tell you whether Dona is a good fit or match you with another Octave therapist who specializes in it.

Dona Schaffer draws on Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Psychodynamic, Solution-Focused, and Strengths-Based. In sessions, Dona’s style is action-oriented, calming, casual, exploratory, and holistic. In Dona’s words: “I will listen carefully to your concerns and will work with you to develop treatment goals tailored to your individual needs.”

Dona Schaffer (she/her) offers therapy in English. Dona identifies as White.

Dona Schaffer offers online sessions over secure video, so you can meet from home or any private space. Dona is licensed in California, and you need to be located in that state at the time of each session. All you need is a device with a camera and a stable internet connection.

Your first session with Dona Schaffer is a chance to talk through what brought you to therapy and what you want to work on. Dona will ask about your background, your current concerns, and your goals, and together you will start shaping a plan for your sessions. It is also a chance to see whether Dona’s style feels like a good fit for you. After their first session, 9 in 10 Octave clients say their therapy experience has been good or better.

Learn how ratings and reviews work

Octave regularly asks clients to select a rating based on their experience about their provider about their therapy sessions. Providers are prohibited from soliciting reviews from their clients.

Only clients who have completed a session with this provider can leave a rating for them.

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