Dustin MacDonald, Psychologist
Dr. Dustin MacDonald, Psy.D., helps children, teens, and adults across California develop practical tools to navigate emotional challenges, strengthen relationships, and regain a sense of balance in their daily lives. As a psychologist at LifeStance Health, he provides individualized and family therapy designed to meet each patient’s unique needs, supporting concerns such as anxiety, ADHD, and trauma while promoting resilience and meaningful, lasting progress. Dr. MacDonald has extensive experience working with children and adolescents, including those facing school avoidance, behavioral difficulties, and family-related stress. He collaborates closely with parents and caregivers to enhance communication, reinforce effective parenting strategies, and foster healthier family connections. His clinical approach incorporates evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR, and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, along with additional therapeutic modalities to ensure comprehensive, personalized care. Outside of his professional work, Dr. MacDonald enjoys traveling and experiencing different cultures. He values spending time at the beach or water skiing with family and friends, and during quieter moments, he enjoys reading and listening to music.
Types of Care & Ages Served
- Family Therapy: Ages 3-40
- Individual Therapy: Ages 3-40
Areas of Focus
Family Therapy
Improve communication and resolve conflicts within family dynamics with a clinician's guidance.
- Sexual trauma
- Trauma & PTSD
- ADHD
- Adoption & foster care
- Anger issues
- Anxiety
- Attachment issues
- Attention & focus
- Bullying or harassment
- Childhood behavioral issues
- Depression/feeling down
- Early adulthood: Independent living or relationships
- Early adulthood: Starting college or career
- Family conflict
- General relationship issues
- Grief & loss
- Marital stress or divorce
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Panic attacks
- Parenting
- Phobias
- Premarital counseling
- Religion & spirituality
- School avoidance
- School behavioral issues
- Self-esteem
- Self-injury or cutting
- Social skills & communication
- Stress management
Individual Therapy
Get help addressing challenges and improve well-being with a clinician's guidance.
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Sexual trauma
- Social skills & communication
- Stress management
- Trauma & PTSD
- ADHD
- Adoption & foster care
- Anger issues
- Attachment issues
- Attention & focus
- Bullying or harassment
- Career & work issues
- Childhood behavioral issues
- Depression/feeling down
- Early adulthood: Independent living or relationships
- Early adulthood: Starting college or career
- Family conflict
- General relationship issues
- Grief & loss
- Marital stress or divorce
- Parenting
- Phobias
- Premarital counseling
- Religion & spirituality
- School avoidance
- School behavioral issues
- Self-esteem
- Self-injury or cutting
Insurances Accepted
- Aetna
- Blue Shield of California (D)
- Carelon (Beacon)
- Centivo
- Claritev (MultiPlan PHCS)
- Devoted Health Plan
- Elevance Health (Anthem BC) (D)
- Evernorth (Cigna)
- HealthSmart
- Humana
- Kaiser Permanente (NorCal)
- Lucet (SCAN Health Plan)
- Magellan (D)
- MediNcrease Health Plans (MHP)
- Medicare
- Northwell Direct
- Optum (UnitedHealthcare)
- Partners Direct Health
- Provider Network of America (PNOA)
- Quest Behavioral Health
- Sana Benefits
- TELUS Health (BHS)
Languages
- English
Education
- Argosy University
Locations
New patient?
View AvailabilityFrequently Asked
Questions About
Dustin MacDonald
Please use our online form to schedule an appointment with Dustin MacDonald. You can also call 925-282-1778 to have someone assist you.
Dustin MacDonald generally accepts new patients but there could be a waitlist.
Please call 925-282-1778 to find out Dustin MacDonald's schedule and availability.
LifeStance Health providers accept most commercial insurance plans that are offered in the states where we offer services, including telehealth. Please see the following list of insurances accepted by Dustin MacDonald:
- Aetna
- Blue Shield of California (D)
- Carelon (Beacon)
- Centivo
- Claritev (MultiPlan PHCS)
- Devoted Health Plan
- Elevance Health (Anthem BC) (D)
- Evernorth (Cigna)
- HealthSmart
- Humana
- Kaiser Permanente (NorCal)
- Lucet (SCAN Health Plan)
- Magellan (D)
- MediNcrease Health Plans (MHP)
- Medicare
- Northwell Direct
- Optum (UnitedHealthcare)
- Partners Direct Health
- Provider Network of America (PNOA)
- Quest Behavioral Health
- Sana Benefits
- TELUS Health (BHS)
If you don't see your insurance listed, please contact us at 925-282-1778 to see how we can help.
Dustin MacDonald is a Psychologist and cannot prescribe medication. However, most LifeStance offices have a Psychiatrist or APN on staff who can prescribe medication if needed.
Dustin MacDonald works at:
Yes, Dustin MacDonald does offer online telehealth visits.
Yes, Dustin MacDonald is currently offering in-office visits at the following location: