Donnulette Dulaney

LPC-S, LPC

My path to becoming a therapist began early in life through naturally being someone others turned to for support. Even as a young person, I found myself listening to friends and helping them work through difficult situations and emotions, which gave me an early sense of purpose in this role. I also have lived experience with significant personal challenges, including trauma, which shaped my understanding of what it feels like to struggle without the tools or support needed to navigate emotions, relationships, and life circumstances. For a long time, I felt unsure of how to move forward or make sense of my experiences. A pivotal moment came during my childhood when a caseworker validated my experience in a way that stayed with me. Being told that what I had experienced was not my fault was the first time I truly understood the power of being seen and heard in a meaningful way. Although my journey continued to have challenges, that moment left a lasting impression on me and helped shape my desire to offer that same sense of validation and support to others. From that experience forward, I knew I wanted to pursue a path where I could provide a safe space for people to feel understood, supported, and less alone as they navigate their own healing processes.

Something important for people to know about working with me is that I take the therapeutic relationship very seriously. I understand that starting therapy can feel uncertain, especially if someone has had difficult or unhelpful experiences in the past or is unsure about what to expect. It takes courage to meet with someone new and begin sharing personal parts of your life. Because of that, I place a strong emphasis on creating a safe, respectful, and nonjudgmental space. I believe in treating every client with genuine care, respect, and positive regard. At the same time, I am also an engaged and real person in the room. I work intentionally to build a warm and supportive connection, while also being honest, present, and appropriately challenging when it is helpful for growth. My approach is very client-centered and collaborative. You are the expert on your life and your experiences, and I see my role as walking alongside you with clinical knowledge, perspective, and tools to help you navigate patterns, barriers, and challenges that may feel difficult to move through alone. At times, this includes gentle challenge and encouragement, because growth often requires both support and accountability. For me, this work is not just a profession—it is a calling to support people through real transformation in a thoughtful and intentional way.

I believe one of the biggest barriers today for people seeking mental health care is stigma. There are still many myths and misunderstandings about what it means to struggle emotionally or psychologically, including the belief that needing support means someone is weak, broken, or not trying hard enough. In reality, mental health is a part of overall health, and the brain—like any other part of the body—can experience distress that requires care, support, and skill-building. For many people, these beliefs are reinforced by family, culture, or past experiences, including messages such as “you should be able to handle it on your own” or “just be stronger.” For others, faith-based messages may sometimes be misinterpreted in ways that lead people to feel they should simply pray more or that seeking help reflects a lack of faith. These messages can create shame and silence, causing people to struggle alone or seek help in secret. Because of this, many people delay or avoid therapy altogether, even when they are overwhelmed or feeling stuck. I want people to know that reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness—it takes real courage to acknowledge when something is difficult and to choose support instead of suffering in silence. It is okay to not be okay, but you do not have to stay there. Therapy is not about being “fixed,” but about gaining tools, insight, and support to better navigate life’s challenges. When people have the right skills and support, it can open the door to clarity, healing, and new ways of moving forward that may not have felt possible before.