Marie  Donabella
Vetted

Marie Donabella

She/Her/Hers

Psychologist, PhD Specialties Insurance & Fees Locations
Rhode Island, Connecticut Accepting Online
Providence Not Accepting In-person

Accepting online clients from all Psypact States

Updated January 26, 2024

Specialties & Expertise

  • Athlete mental health
  • Performance anxiety
  • Stress reduction
  • Anxiety
  • LGBTQ and gender identity issues
  • Mind-body connection

Professional statement

Dr. Marie Donabella has expertise in anxiety and stress management, athlete mental health (including coping with athletic injury and balancing the demands unique to athletes), issues related to perimenopause (memory and mood changes), and LGBTQ+- related concerns.

She helps people understand the connection between their brain and body, and how to use one's brain power more effectively to heal from injury, feel more balanced, or cope with the changes that accompany mid-life and perimenopause. She teaches stress management, resilience and coping skills to young adults, college students, and postcollege-age adults.

Dr. Donabella's approach is based on many therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, existential therapy, integrative therapy, mindfulness practices, and psychodynamic therapy. Her therapy is informed by her research and personal experience as an athlete and researcher. She has two therapy dogs, both of which are Goldendoodles; 10 year old Clementine (Clemmie) and 3 year old Fiona (Fi).

Dr. Donabella is a licensed clinical psychologist with Ph.Ds in Clinical Psychology and Medical Sciences. She has worked in her private practice since 2002 alongside her research on stress, anxiety, and health. In the past, she has published many articles and given many presentations exploring the mind-body connection, relating stress and health.

She is currently accepting telehealth clients from RI and all Psypact states.


Message to clients

My areas of expertise and interest include: stress and anxiety management, athlete mental health, sports/athletic performance anxiety, recovery from athletic injury, life transitions especially perimenopause, and health/wellness management. I can help you learn ways to: lower overall stress levels, cope with mental health issues unique to athletes (e.g. recovering from injury, meeting demands of a busy schedule, improving resilience, decreasing performance anxiety), feel less overwhelmed, make it through a difficult life transition (e.g. perimenopause), be healthy, as well as attain balance in your life. I believe that therapy should create a safe and conducive environment for exploration and change, be affirming and empathic, facilitate learning and self-discovery, and provide feedback about unhealthy life patterns.

In addition to my clinical practice, I previously taught and researched stress, anxiety and health. My background gives me a unique perspective of the mind-body connection. I have published over 30 articles in the areas of high blood pressure, stress and women's health, and have given over 50 presentations about my research. I'm a triathlete and black belt in Tae Kwon Do, with an interest in Zen philosophy. I'm also a new student of electric guitar to challenge my brain in a different way. Thus, balance, mindfulness, and focus are important aspects of how I view mental health.


Specialties

Athlete mental health - Navigating mental health issues unique to athletes using techniques that increase confidence, focus and resilience in the face of adversity, pain, and challenge.

Performance anxiety - Overcoming mental roadblocks to physical (individual and team) goals by improving mental toughness.

Stress reduction - Strengthening effective ways of coping with the stress of life and change; managing expectations of self and others

Anxiety - Generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder

LGBTQ and gender identity issues - Includes coming out, relating to others, identifying and communicating needs, relationships, and family issues

Mind-body connection - Decreasing stress by increasing attention to the body and practicing techniques that foster wellness; learning about brain function as it pertains to improving health.




Clientele

  • Adults (24+)
  • Seniors (65+)
  • Young adults (18-24)

Insurance

Marie Donabella is not in-network with any insurances.

Read about the benefits of seeing an out-of-network provider here.


Out-of-pocket fees

  • Individual sessions: $150 (50min)
  • Initial session: $150 (50min)

Additional session information

Out-of-network billing options

This provider can support you in getting reimbursement from your insurance company if you are seeking out-of-network reimbursement. Here are the out-of-network billing options they provide:

  • Super billing
Payment options
  • Cash
  • Credit Card
  • Debit Card
  • PayPal
  • Venmo
Session frequency

Frequency of sessions this provider offers to see clients once you are an established client.

  • As needed
Therapist's note

I don't take insurance. However, as a courtesy, my billing office will provide you with a superbill and receipt that you can submit to your insurance company to get reimbursed directly, if your company has out-of-network benefits. **Please check with your specific insurance company for reimbursement rate**


Location(s)

Providence practice
193 Waterman Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02906
Not accepting new clients in-person
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon Closed
  • Tue Closed
  • Wed Closed
  • Thu Closed
  • Fri Closed
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed

Online Sessions (Rhode Island)
Accepting new clients online
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon Closed
  • Tue 9am-3pm
  • Wed 9am-3pm
  • Thu 9am-3pm
  • Fri 9am-3pm
  • Sat 9am-3pm
  • Sun Closed

Online Sessions (Connecticut)
Accepting new clients online
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon Closed
  • Tue 9am-3pm
  • Wed 9am-3pm
  • Thu 9am-3pm
  • Fri 9am-3pm
  • Sat 9am-2pm
  • Sun Closed

Work and Education

Years of Experience: 22 years

Private Practice, 2003 - Present
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Assistant Professor, 2003 - 2007
Syracuse University, Visiting Assistant Professor & Therapist, 2002 - 2003
SUNY Upstate Medical University, Psychology Intern, 2001 - 2002

Syracuse University, Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, 2002
South Florida College of Medicine, Ph.D. in Medical Sciences, 1989


Licensure

Rhode Island: PS00834

Connecticut: APIT 11533 teletherapy through PsyPact


Languages

English


Professional endorsements

"Marie is highly educated and is a seasoned clinician who is very effective in supporting clients in treatment. I highly recommend her for individual therapy."

- Cecilia Dietzler, LICSW • June 2017

"Marie is a highly skilled and experienced therapist with exceptionally developed relational skills allowing her to connect with her clients authentically and in the most genuine human way. In doing so, she creates a safe space for her clients to be able to do their healing work. She has long been a preferred referral source for me. Clients find her very effective, kind, and practical in her clinical approach."

- Thomas Fronczak, LCSW-R • May 2017

Client testimonials

"I really enjoyed my initial session with Marie Donabella. I have had some difficulty in finding a therapist, but I am glad I was able to find someone through Zencare. I am excited to keep working with her."
- Zencare client • September 2021
"She was very punctual and told me what to expect for my official visit."
- Zencare client • August 2020