Donna Gallienne
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Clinic Director, Adolescent PHP/IOP — Bringing grounded, culturally informed, trauma-aware care to teens and families.
Or Call 650-507-3888
Clinic Director, Adolescent PHP/IOP | Guide Behavioral Health
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (#130846) • Licensed Clinical Supervisor
Donna Gallienne brings a warm, grounded, and straightforward presence to her work with teens and families at Guide Behavioral Health. Born in Inverness, Scotland and raised in the North East of England, Donna offers a culturally informed perspective shaped by her international training and life experience. She completed her BSc in Psychology at the University of Essex, followed by a PgDip and MSc in Counselling Psychology at the University of Roehampton in London.
Donna has spent many years working in higher levels of care, particularly Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programs. She has provided individual and group therapy, supervised clinicians, and led multidisciplinary teams supporting adolescents with complex emotional and behavioral needs. She is especially passionate about early intervention, trauma-informed care, and supporting teens navigating anxiety, depression, school refusal, and difficult family dynamics.
Her clinical approach integrates evidence-based modalities—including CBT, DBT, ACT, and family systems work—with a strong emphasis on emotional safety, nervous system regulation, and practical coping skills that families can use in real life.
As Clinic Director of an adolescent PHP/IOP program, Donna oversees program development, clinical quality, and staff supervision while staying closely connected to the daily experience of teens and caregivers. Her relational, collaborative philosophy centers on helping young people feel seen, respected, and genuinely included in the process—and ensuring families are supported as partners rather than blamed or sidelined.
Outside of the clinic, Donna is a parent to four teenagers (triplets and one slightly younger), giving her firsthand insight into the joys and challenges families face. She enjoys traveling, exploring new cultures, and staying connected with loved ones across the world. Over the years, she has also volunteered with adolescents in a variety of settings, deepening her commitment to creating safe, developmentally attuned spaces for young people.
And one fun fact: despite calling the Bay Area home, Donna’s Scottish roots and Northern English upbringing still shine through in her sense of humor—and occasionally in her accent.
Helping Teens Build Confidence & Coping Skills
As a Licensed Therapist and Clinical Supervisor, Donna supports teens and families with warmth, presence, and clear, compassionate guidance. Her grounded approach helps young people build emotional resilience and move toward meaningful change.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Donna uses a warm, grounded, and culturally informed approach that helps teens feel understood and supported. Her clinical style blends evidence-based modalities—including CBT, DBT, ACT, and family systems therapy—with a strong emphasis on safety, emotional regulation, and practical coping skills. She focuses on helping teens build confidence, resilience, and insight while strengthening communication within families.
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Yes. In addition to her leadership role, Donna remains closely connected to the day-to-day clinical work. She provides individual and group therapy, collaborates with caregivers, and supports teens through anxiety, depression, school avoidance, and complex emotional needs. Donna ensures each family feels seen, heard, and guided with compassion.
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Donna has extensive experience supporting teens navigating anxiety, depression, school refusal, trauma, emotional dysregulation, and family conflict. She is especially passionate about early intervention and helping adolescents develop real-world coping skills that support long-term stability at home and at school.
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Donna’s background in higher levels of care gives her a deep understanding of what teens and families need to feel safe and supported. Her sessions are structured, collaborative, and rooted in trauma-aware care. Teens describe her as calm, straightforward, and easy to trust—qualities that help them open up and engage in meaningful therapeutic work.
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