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Donatella Hill

MS, RMHCI, Certified Play Therapist & EMDR Trained Therapist

About

Donatella Hill is a compassionate therapist dedicated to helping children and adolescents build resilience and navigate life’s challenges. Donatella earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Waldorf University in 2021. Donatella went on to earn her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Jacksonville University, along with a Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy. As a lifelong military dependent, Donatella has lived across the United States.

Drawn to play therapy for its power to foster acceptance and emotional growth, Donatella believes the playroom is a unique space where children and adolescents are embraced fully for who they are. She sees the therapeutic relationship as a rare, gentle bond where the child is met right where they are, without pressure to conform to adult expectations. In the playroom, children are free to express themselves and develop at their own pace.

Donatella has previous experience serving children ages 3-5 in Duval County Head Start programs with social and emotional difficulties as well as trauma.

Donatella is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and has advanced training in implementing EMDR in play therapy settings. Donatella especially enjoys treating childhood anxiety and OCD, offering children the tools they need to thrive.

Currently, Donatella is practicing under supervision as she works toward full licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Registered Play Therapist, and EMDR Certified Therapist.

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Spends her free playtime reading, painting, building dollhouses, and enjoying family time

Donatella is available at our Neptune Beach location

EMDR for Children & Adults

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Meet Your Therapist:

Donatella Hill MS, RMHCI
Certified Play Therapist
EMDR Trained Therapist

What is EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a gentle, research-backed therapy that helps clients heal from overwhelming or traumatic experiences. Through guided left–right eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation, EMDR helps the brain “unstick” painful memories so they feel less intense and less emotionally charged

What makes EMDR different from other therapies? 
EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing event or completing homework between sessions. Instead of focusing on changing the emotions, thoughts, or behaviors resulting from the distressing issue, EMDR helps the brain resume its natural healing process.

Who can Benefit From EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy helps children and adults of all ages. Donatella uses EMDR therapy to address a wide range of challenges such as: Anxiety and phobias, Depression, Grief and loss, Childhood trauma, Post-traumatic stress disorder.

How is EMDR adapted for Children?
Big feelings and hard experiences can sometimes get “stuck” in a child’s brain and body. EMDR helps children safely process those memories so they can think, feel, and play more freely again. Donatella uses gentle, developmentally appropriate methods—combining storytelling, play, and creative tools—to help children reprocess difficult experiences in a way that feels safe and empowering. Whether your child has experienced a stressful event, ongoing anxiety, or struggles with self-esteem, EMDR can help their brain build new connections for calm, confidence, and resilience.

Meet the Team

  • A smiling woman with long brown hair, wearing black clothing, beaded jewelry, and earrings, standing against a plain white background.

    Anna L. Farrin

    LCSW, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor & Practice Owner

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  • A woman with blonde hair and fair skin, smiling, sitting against a plain white wall, wearing a black t-shirt and blue jeans.

    Tayler Raftis

    LCSW, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor & Clinical Director

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  • A smiling middle-aged woman with short brown hair, wearing a light blue shirt with a V-neck and lace detail, standing against a white background.

    Beth Collins Himes

    LCSW, Operations & Outreach

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  • A woman with long, curly brown hair, smiling and wearing a patterned blouse with a necklace, standing against a plain white background.

    Erica Mitchell

    LCSW, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor

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  • Jessica Soto

    Jessica Soto

    LMHC, Registered Play Therapist & TraumaPlay Certified Therapist 

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  • A smiling woman with shoulder-length blonde hair wearing an orange top with ruffled sleeves, standing against a white background.

    Kelly McCandless

    LCSW, Registered Play Therapist

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  • A woman with long wavy brown hair, smiling, wearing a white shirt with a blue floral pattern, standing against a plain white background.

    Laura Halloran

    LCSW

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  • A smiling woman with wavy blonde hair wearing a green patterned blouse and earrings, standing against a plain white background.

    Tracey Errico

    LCSW, Registered Play Therapist

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  • A young woman with long brown hair, bangs, and blue eyes smiling at the camera, wearing a pink top, against a plain white background.

    Shawna Rohrer

    LMHC

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  • A woman with dark brown hair, smiling, wearing a white blouse with puffed sleeves and a delicate necklace, against a plain white background.

    Molly Mesiano

    LMHC

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  • A young woman with blonde hair, wearing a bright pink dress and a gold shell necklace, smiling against a plain white background.

    Kourtney Baker

    LMHC, Registered Play Therapist

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  • A smiling woman with curly black hair wearing a beige blouse against a white background.

    Chandré Pryor

    MSW, RCSWI, Certified Play Therapist

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  • A woman with long, wavy black hair smiling in front of a white background, wearing a cream-colored dress with turquoise floral patterns and a pearl necklace.

    Donatella Hill

    MS, RMHCI, Certified Play Therapist & EMDR Trained Therapist

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  • A smiling woman with dreadlocks, wearing gold hoop earrings, a necklace, and an olive green button-up shirt, standing against a white background.

    Trishana Sheffield

    LHMC, NCC, Certified Play Therapist 

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  • A woman smiling and wearing a cream-colored denim jacket with long blond hair.

    Maddy Rosenau

    MSW, RCSWI

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  • A smiling woman with shoulder-length grayish-brown hair, wearing a denim jacket over a white top, standing against a plain white background.

    Kelly Paterno, MS

    Graduate Student Intern

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