Donna C. Poon, LMHC

Donna is an Asian American therapist with several years of experience supporting clients through challenges related to cultural, family, relationship, academic, career, and financial stress. Her therapeutic approach emphasizes empowerment and opportunity-focused thinking, helping clients develop insights and mindset shifts that foster emotional and mental resilience. Donna received her B.S. in Applied Psychology from New York University and both a Ed.M. in Mental Health Counseling and M.A. in Psychological Counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University.

"Healing is possible when you give yourself permission to be authentic, compassionate, and vulnerable."

What was your path to becoming a mental health provider?
Mental health wasn’t something openly discussed in my Asian American upbringing, and that experience shaped my path into counseling and social impact work. I’m especially passionate about increasing mental health awareness and reducing stigma in communities where these conversations are often overlooked. In my practice, I support individuals navigating a wide range of challenges — from relationship and family dynamics to workplace stress and cultural or identity-related concerns. My approach is collaborative, culturally responsive, and grounded in the belief that healing happens when people feel seen, heard, and supported.

What should someone know about working with you?
Through talk therapy, we’ll explore your concerns using reflective exercises that may include discussing your past experiences, including childhood. I believe therapy works best as a collaborative process — clients bring valuable insight into their own experiences, and I provide guidance, tools, and perspective to support their goals. My therapeutic approach is integrative, drawing from psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, feminist, and mindfulness-based therapies. This flexibility allows me to tailor our work to your individual needs, values, and experiences.

How do you continue learning and building new skills?
I regularly participate in professional development to stay current with the latest evidence-based therapy techniques. Additionally, I am actively involved in the Asian American community through non-profit work, supporting mental health initiatives focused on youth, family programs, and civic engagement.