“The first step to solving any problem is to accept one’s own accountability for creating it.”
“What we want for others doesn’t work unless THEY WANT IT for themselves.”
“If you want to know your past, look into your present conditions. If you want to know your future, look into your present actions.”
MEET
Dr. Donita Lester, MA, Ed. D, LPC
Dr. Donita Lester, MA, Ed. D, LPC
Dr. Lester’s background is in the field of Counseling and Human Services. Her approach is more flexible and multifaceted in its style. As a therapist, she believes in allowing herself to utilize the most effective method of psychotherapy that is suitable to address the individual needs of each client. This same flexibility will be exhibited her consulting efforts and expertise as well. Her experience tells her that we must go beyond the limited perspectives of society to help individuals realize their true potential and maximize the moment. Her goal is to create a therapeutic environment where individuals get the help and support needed to achieve their goals.
It is Dr. Lester’s hope to enrich each client’s experience in therapy and consulting alike. It is her desire for clients to share their experiences, beliefs, and perspectives. She believes that when clients can do so, it will offer a richly diverse intellectual and social environment. An environment that enriches the experience of individuals, offers insight to those whose experiences, beliefs, and perspectives are different from their own.
Dr. Lester has a Doctorate of Education in Pastoral Community Counseling from Argosy University (2017) and a Master’s in Counseling and Human Services from National Louis University (2004). She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Behavioral Science from National Louis University in (2002). She holds her LPC in Illinois.
Dr. Lester’s work experience is broad and has consisted of running an Intensive Outpatient program and Intensive Treatment Units, with both men and women in a corrections setting. Additionally, her work has been in Private Agencies, Residential Treatment Services, Assessments and Referrals along with Crisis Therapy within a hospital. She also has experience in academia and teaching as an Adjunct Professor with Ivy Tech Community College in Chicago, IL, Trinity Christian College and Colorado Christian University. She has taught the following courses: Introduction to Human Services; Helping Relationships; Issues and Ethics; Interviewing and Assessments; Juvenile Delinquency; Psychology of Personal Growth and Empathy Training; Counseling Skills I; Internship III; Counseling Skills II, Counseling Practicum, Theological Foundations and Internship I.
