Online in
PSYPACT states
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, CNMI, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
(Online Only)
As an LGBTQ+ person, you've probably gotten pretty good at figuring things out for yourself. But then life throws you a curveball you can't simply think your way through, problem-solve your way out of, or grit your teeth and muscle through forever.
Maybe you're grieving someone you lost - or something that others don't even recognize as a loss. Maybe your relationship has changed, your health isn't what it used to be, or you're caring for someone you love and wondering how much longer you can keep going. You may be functioning just fine on the outside, while feeling pretty damn exhausted on the inside.
I'm Dr. Weston Donaldson, a gay psychologist and founder of Proud Heart Therapy Services, LLC. I help LGBTQ+ adults coping with grief, loss, trauma, and complicated transitions that come with getting older. Being part of the queer community means I bring a familiarity with our relationships, chosen families, histories, and experiences that can make these challenges more complex. You shouldn't have to spend your therapy sessions explaining why your relationships matter or why a particular loss has hit you so hard.
For me, the magic sauce of therapy is relationship. You can bring the messy feelings, the contradictions, the things you're not sure you're supposed to say out loud. My job isn't to tell you how you should feel or hand you a generic set of coping skills. It's to help you understand what's happening, reconnect with your own wisdom, and figure out what you want your life to look from here on out.
You don't have to stop grieving, have everything figured out, or know exactly what you need before reaching out. If you're tired of going through this time alone, let's talk. I'd be glad to hear what's going on and see whether we're a good fit.
Client Focus
Session Format: Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Senior
Demographic Expertise: LGBTQ+ clients.
Languages: English
Treatment Approach
- Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) A trauma-focused therapy that uses eye movements and imagery to help the brain reframe distressing memories. It often leads to quicker relief from symptoms compared to traditional talk therapy.
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) Helps people accept difficult thoughts and feelings instead of fighting them, while committing to actions that reflect their values. It blends mindfulness with practical behavior strategies.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) An evidence-based treatment for PTSD that teaches clients to reframe unhelpful thoughts about trauma. It helps reduce guilt, shame, and fear.
- Motivational Interviewing (MI) A collaborative, client-centered approach that strengthens motivation for change. It is especially effective for addictions and health behaviors.
Approach Description: I believe therapy works best when you feel understood, respected, and able to be honest about what's actually happening. I'm not a "nod and smile" therapist or "just here to talk." My approach is affirmative, collaborative, and focused on building a strong, trusting relationship. This allows us to confront difficult feelings, tough questions, and talk realistically about the challenges you're facing. I draw from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help my clients develop greater flexibility in how they handle challenges, and set realistic goals to move toward what matters to them, even if circumstances remain difficult. I also use Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) to help clients change the images and sensations connected to stressful experiences, which can lead to rapid improvement in symptoms.
Fees & Insurance
Fees
- Average Session Fee $250
- Out of Network
Education & Credentials
Dr. Weston Donaldson PhD, ABPP
- Male
- License # 5067-57
- Licensed in WI
- PSYPACT Mobility # 22367
- Practicing Since 2014
Education: During my undergraduate work in psychology at Brigham Young University, I had a therapist who made all the difference during a difficult time. That led me to pursue my doctoral degree at Colorado State University, where my passions for LGBTQ+ mental health and work with older adults began.
Dr. Weston Donaldson Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available Online for residents of PSYPACT states Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, CNMI, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
- Online Therapy Details: Secure video sessions offered via Sessions Health
Some losses are obvious. Someone dies. A relationship ends. You receive a diagnosis that changes how you imagine your future.
Other losses are harder to name. Your family stops speaking to you. Your body or health changes. You lose someone from your chosen family or community. You're caring for someone with dementia and watching your relationship change as their needs grow. You realize that the life you're living no longer resembles the one you thought you'd have.
These experiences can leave you exhausted, angry, anxious, numb, disconnected, or wondering who you are anymore. And when the people around you don't recognize what you've lost, it can be even harder to know what to do with those feelings.
You don't have to convince me that your loss counts.
WHO I WORK WITH
I'm Dr. Weston Donaldson, a licensed psychologist and founder of Proud Heart Therapy Services, LLC. I provide online therapy for LGBTQ+ adults navigating grief, trauma, complicated loss, and age-related life transitions.
My areas of focus include:
Grief and non-death loss: Grief isn't limited to the death of someone you love. You may be grieving a relationship, family connection, identity, community, health, independence, or future you once imagined. I work with people whose losses are complicated, unrecognized, or difficult to explain to others. You can miss someone and feel angry at them. You can feel relief and sadness at the same time. You don't have to tidy up your feelings to talk about them with me.
Dementia caregiving: Caring for someone with dementia can change nearly every part of your life. You may love the person you're caring for and feel burned out, resentful, lonely, or overwhelmed by what caregiving demands. You may struggle with guilt when you want time for yourself or feel grief over changes in your relationship. As a board-certified geropsychologist and member of the LGBTQ+ community, I offer affirming support for LGBTQ+ adults caring for partners, former partners, friends, or other family members with dementia.
Trauma and difficult life transitions: Sometimes the effects of difficult experiences last long after the events themselves. You may feel on edge, struggle with painful memories, find yourself reacting in ways that surprise you, or have trouble moving forward. You don't need to arrive with the right label for what you're experiencing. We can start with what's happening in your life now.
In practice, we'll work together to understand what you're struggling with, notice what's helping, what may be keeping you stuck, and explore what you want to change. We'll pay attention to the things you've been doing to cope, and whether they're helping you build the life you want.
I'm not here to tell you to get over your grief, force yourself to be positive, or pretend that difficult situations aren't difficult. We can make room for the hard stuff while also exploring where you have options, what matters most now, and what might help you feel more like yourself again.
ONLINE THERAPY AND PRACTICE DETAILS
In my online practice, I serve clients located in Wisconsin, Utah, Colorado, and other PSYPACT-participating jurisdictions where I am authorized to practice telehealth. Online therapy allows you to meet from a private space that works for you, without adding a commute to everything else you're managing.
I operate a private-pay practice and am an out-of-network provider, which means I don't bill insurance directly. Depending on your plan, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement through your out-of-network insurance benefits. I'm happy to discuss the financial details and available options before you begin.
IT STARTS WITH A CONVERSATION
I offer a free 15-minute video consultation where we can talk about what you're looking for with therapy, answer your questions, and explore whether working together feels like a good fit. If you're tired of trying to go it alone, I'll be glad to talk to you. We'll start where you are and figure out where you want to go from here.