EDITOR’S NOTE: We are so thrilled to add Denise Donahue to the Pioneer’s list of contributors, and great timing to launch this weekly advice column – Mental Health Awareness Month. Conversations with Coach Denise, an advice format column will provide a way to reach out with questions about mental health and more to remove the stigma, normalize seeking mental health help, and questions will be anonymous. Denise will provide help and hope, connect with local resources and more. So let’s get started – introducing Coach Denise. Send your questions to editor@tillamookcountypioneer.net.
Welcome to Conversations with Coach Denise!
I’m Coach Denise—a licensed school counselor, certified health and life coach, suicide prevention specialist, and Mayor of Wheeler. For more than 25 years, I’ve worked closely with teens, families, and schools as a mental health professional, school-based counselor, and wellness coach. I founded the first regional suicide prevention coalition and have spent my career building deep, trusted relationships across generations in our community.
My work bridges the worlds of mental health, education, and coaching. Whether in a school hallway, a city meeting, or a private coaching session, my mission has always been the same: to help people feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. I specialize in working with teens and young adults to shift old thinking patterns, build confidence, and move toward goals with clarity and purpose using tools grounded in cognitive behavioral science, emotional intelligence, and mindset coaching.
That’s why I created Conversations with Coach Denise—a weekly advice column designed to reach even more people with the support they need. This column is a space where real questions from teens, young adults, and parents are answered with warmth, honesty, and expert insight. Think of it as a modern-day “Dear Abby,” built for today’s challenges and delivered with compassion, science-backed tools, and a voice you can trust.
At its core, this column is about helping as many people as possible. It’s a place to find practical advice, emotional support, and a reminder that you’re not alone—whether you’re a struggling teen, a concerned parent, or someone just trying to figure things out. Every answer is rooted in empathy, experience, and a deep desire to help our community grow stronger, healthier, and more connected.
Let’s talk. Let’s grow. Let’s walk through it—together. Submit your questions to editor@tillamookcountypioneer.net.
Warmly,
Denise Donohue
www.optimallifecoachingforteens.com
If you or someone you know needs resources now, text or call 988.
Here are local mental health resources:
