Meet Donna the "Child Whisperer"
Certified Counselor & Family Expert
Donna earned her B.S. in Criminal Justice from CSU Sacramento. She later returned to CSU Sacramento to earn her M.A in Counseling with a focus on Community Counseling and Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential.
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Donna has over 18 years of counseling experience which has included working in diverse settings including juvenile detention facilities, group homes, a domestic violence shelter and more. She worked in the Sacramento school district providing comprehensive guidance to expelled students in grades 7th to 12th. Donna currently works in the San Jose Unified School District as a Guidance Counselor for 6th graders.
She is referred to as the “child whisperer” for her ability to connect with her students and their families. Donna grew up in the Bay Area and moved to Menlo Park in 2019. She has two adult children and four grandchildren.
Welcome to
All About Youth & Family Services
I am honored to have the opportunity to work with you and your family. As a counselor I adhere to a cognitive-behavioral framework. I believe that ones thoughts and beliefs influence their behavior and actions. Homework is a tool that I will utilize as a part of our counseling process.
During our time together we will address five major aspects for life guidance: academics, personal, social, career, wellness/leisure, and after career. For each category you will complete a variety of activities that will help you develop important skills and abilities. I have compiled a variety of activities that are meant to be thought provoking, challenge your thought process, and develop your critical thinking skills. You will complete several assessments, and participate in individual sessions and small/large group discussions. The underlying goal of all the activities is to help you understand what it means to be you. The better you understand yourself the better you can take care of yourself and navigate through life; while you manage your mental health.
Your time with us will be uniquely yours. I invite you to be true to who you are. I encourage you to get the most out of this guidance experience. You will always be a part of the agency, even after you terminate your initial term with us. Please do not hesitate to call and continue to use our services as needed. I hope the experience with us empowers you and offers you a new perspective on your life. And, finally I hope the seeds we plant blossom abundantly in your life.
Thank you again for the opportunity to provide service to you and your family. Live well, be free, and be the best you, you can be.
Best regards,
Donna Hankins
Founder