Donna Swanson

Donna earned both her Master’s (2004) and bachelor’s degree (2001) in Social Work at the University of Wisconsin. She offers over 20 years of social worker expertise in this field.

Donna’s skill sets include a vast majority of knowledge not only from professional experiences, but personal as well.  Donna aged out of the foster care system with a desire to help others by becoming a social worker. Initially, her journey led her to work for the Child Welfare system.  Donna empowered parents to work toward reunification while assisting their children with ways to cope with the daily life stressors that they had endured.

After pouring out her heart for many years into the Child Welfare profession, she later worked in the hospital and emergency department environments. While working in these settings, Donna realized there was a growing mental health crisis. Patients would arrive and complain about mental health concerns such as: anxiety, depression, life adjustment crisis, co-dependency problems, dual diagnosis issues, peer relationship issues, trauma, and stress. She would assist patients and families with coping mechanisms, provide community resources, and enable transitions to facility placements for further mental health treatment.

Donna also spent many years as a hospice social worker. She felt a call to work with dying people and their loved ones. Donna’s goal was to help the patients and family’s journey through end-of-life transitions while processing grief and acceptance in a healthy way.  Donna would also assist patient and families with completing future long term planning needs.

Once Donna attended a seminar on the topic of suicide.  There was a woman who shared in the audience that, “Many people commit suicide, because they do not know how to live anymore.” This statement began a growing desire in Donna to further her training and become a licensed clinical social worker.  Donna’s focus is to empower others, assist them with finding tools for personal growth, and to help them strive to live in a healthier framework of mind.

Donna enjoys traveling, visiting Spas, loves dogs, cooking, 80’s Music and finding new ways to learn.

Donna is accepting new clients at the Schaumburg and St. Charles locations.

You can reach Donna at 847-854-4333 or by email at dswanson@owenscounseling.com