About Donna
Academic Summary
Dr. Donna Santagati earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from New England College in Henniker, NH and her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, IL. She also earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and a Certificate in Clinical Hypnosis at the Adler School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, IL. Dr. Santagati has over twenty years experience working with children (12+), adolescents and adults in outpatient, inpatient, and residential settings. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Westborough State Hospital in Westborough, MA where she worked with chronically mentally-ill adult males, females and their families. She completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Psychology at McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA where she was later hired as a staff psychologist and practiced for seven years. Dr. Santagati continues her work as a licensed clinical psychologist (MA License #9914) conducting group therapy, individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy and offering consultations to outpatient teams. Dr. Santagati is an active member of the American Psychological Association and the Massachusetts Psychological Association.
Therapeutic Approach Summary
Dr. Santagati’s areas of special training and expertise include several clinical issues: working with individuals, couples and families who have depression, anxiety, personality disorders, eating disorders, substance abuse, interpersonal difficulties and conflict. Her approach to therapy is influenced by several theoretical backgrounds such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Adlerian Psychodynamic Therapy, Family Systems, Humanistic Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Her philosophy of psychotherapy involves looking at the person as a whole: the organization of the personality and the style of life. This includes thoughtfully conceptualizing biological, medical, social and cultural forces determining a person's developmental experiences, level of functioning and the problems they are bringing to therapy. It also involves understanding and learning from the therapy relationship, as well as, from other relationships and strengths in a person’s life. Furthermore, Dr. Santagati often uses DBT, CBT or MI to promote positive change and help patients move toward solutions of their problems. If you would like to learn more about these approaches you may visit the highlighted links.