Daily Inspiration: Meet Cheri Mcdonald

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheri Mcdonald

Hi Cheri, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey in mental health began with a deep desire to help individuals and families break free from trauma and reclaim their lives. I fell in love with therapy from watching The Bob Newhart Show. I remember saying to myself, I want to be him. While I had dreamed of writing for a living—and truly loved writing the three books I’ve published—my greatest joy and skill are found in the therapy room. I love working with people, and I love loving people.
Despite the fun conversation with my teenage self about being like Bob, this passion didn’t fully crystallize until halfway through my undergraduate studies. A professor, who was both an LMFT and an author, reignited the burning desire of my adolescence, and from that moment, I was all in. However, I quickly realized that to make my dream career a reality, I needed to pursue further education—creating an unexpected dilemma. I was newly married and expecting my first child. How could I possibly manage a master’s program? So, I set my passion aside and embraced this new phase of life. My family was everything to me, and this was a joyous time.
Then, when my son was five months old, a remarkable opportunity arose. The college near my home introduced a Marriage and Family Therapy program specifically designed for mothers and working women. With encouragement from my family and a deep inner calling that I could no longer ignore, I enrolled. My career began with a bang, and I’ve never looked back.
Much of my momentum has been fueled by my clients—their insights, their teachings, and their stories. Their experiences became my greatest lessons, leading me toward hypnotherapy, energy work, and psychedelic-assisted therapy. My clients have been my master teachers, introducing me to the profound need for holistic healing and the journey toward the ideal Self. Their struggles and breakthroughs illuminated the path to transformative healing, shaping the integrative approach I use today.
A Place to Turn was born from this passion—a sanctuary where individuals can access the tools and therapies needed for deep transformation. Over the years, I developed Holistic Integral Therapy (HIT), an approach that integrates mind, body, and spirit to facilitate healing at its core. Recognizing that true healing extends beyond the therapy room, I also pioneered DrCheriBreakFree™, a program designed to help individuals integrate their healing into their daily lives and relationships.
As my practice grew, so did the need for expanded services. Alternative Place 2 Turn was created to provide cutting-edge, integrative therapies, such as trauma-informed yoga, energy work, ketamine-assisted therapy facilitation, and red light panel treatment. These innovative methods complement traditional therapies like EMDR and hypnotherapy, allowing us to accelerate healing and create lasting change.
My team and I are dedicated to offering a comprehensive, client-centered approach. Whether through individual therapy, group coaching, or immersive retreats, our goal is to empower individuals to overcome complex PTSD and trauma, helping them turn their aspirations into reality.
Looking ahead, I remain committed to expanding our impact, bringing holistic mental health services to more communities, and continuing to evolve our approach to healing. True transformation is possible, and I am honored to walk alongside my clients on their journey to wholeness.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been one learning curve after another. During my graduate program, I was given an assignment to write my family story. Despite receiving a high grade, my professor remarked that my narrative was “Pollyanna.” At the time, I had no idea what that even meant. It wasn’t until later that I realized how much of a bubble I had created for myself—a self-constructed coping mechanism to navigate various traumas.
Another fantasy I held was wanting to be like Florence Nightingale—a maverick, immune to trauma. That was the version of my story I believed. I saw myself as tough, unshakable. But as my education and life progressed, and with the ever-growing knowledge available to us, I came to understand both the power and the limitations of strong coping skills. True integrative healing requires more than just resilience—it requires acknowledgment, vulnerability, and transformation.
So, to answer your question, it has been the hardest and most authentic journey I could have ever asked for. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Looking back, I recognize my daydreaming of being like Bob Newhart, Florence Nightingale, and an author. Yet, in real-time, I never imagined myself having a career—let alone living my dream. My journey in this field has been one of continuous evolution, both personally and professionally.
I began as a solo practitioner, deeply passionate about therapy, and over the years, I expanded into my role as Clinical Director of A Place to Turn, a group practice dedicated to providing integrative, trauma-focused healing. This role has allowed me to extend my impact beyond individual sessions—shaping a team of skilled therapists and creating a sanctuary for deep, lasting transformation. I have had the privilege of working in a profession that is ageless, constantly evolving, and endlessly expanding my understanding of the unlimited potential for human healing and growth.
What sets my work apart is the seamless integration of science, psychology, and spirituality. My journey has taken me beyond the traditional analytic stance into uncharted territories—where the infinite and creative imagination reaches beyond the veil of the finite. This has led to the development of Holistic Integral Therapy (HIT), a blueprint for healing that merges the mind, body, and spirit.
Through this work, my career has become my passion, my passion has become my play, and my play has become my purpose. Every new experience—both personally and professionally—has contributed to the evolution of my Ideal Self and the fulfillment of my sacred contract with my intimate relationships, professional colleagues, and therapy clients.
This is more than a career—it’s a calling. And I am honored to walk alongside others as they embark on their own journeys of transformation and wholeness.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about Westlake Village is its beauty and easy access to nature. I enjoy hiking from the Santa Monica Mountains to the local beaches, taking in the stunning landscapes along the way. The mild, warm weather makes it possible to enjoy the outdoors year-round, whether it’s hiking, biking, or simply being outside.
I also appreciate the sense of safety here, with low crime and a strong neighborly watch. It has been a wonderful place to raise my family, offering a close-knit community, excellent schools, and plenty of activities to support my children’s growth.
Lastly, my husband and I are foodies and love shopping, so we always enjoy discovering new restaurants and unique shops in the area. If I could change one thing, it would be the cost of living. The high real estate prices and overall expenses make it challenging for my children to live locally and enjoy the home they grew up in.

Pricing:

• Intensive Therapy Service $300-$275 per session
• Ketamine Assisted Therapy 6 sessions $3000 + 6 integration session $1500=$4500
• Hypnotherapy $300 per session

Contact Info:

• Website: https://aplace2turn.com
• Instagram: @aplace2turn
• Facebook: @aplace2turn
• LinkedIn: drcheri@aplace2turn
• Twitter: aplacetoturn