- Relationship strain
- Parenting stress
- Blended family issues
About DonnaMaria
DonnaMaria O'Connor is a California LMFT - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with about 20 years of experience. She works with people who are dealing with relationship strain, parenting stress, anger, and big life changes. Her listed focus includes blended family issues, communication problems, divorce and separation, caregiver stress, and domestic violence concerns.
She approaches sessions as a place to talk through problems and sort practical next steps. She treats clients with acceptance and respect, and looks for strengths to build on. She aims to help people identify the issues that keep repeating and try different ways of responding.
Her work often centers on improving how people talk and make decisions with each other. She uses methods that break problems into small, workable steps and checks what helps most in day-to-day life. That can mean setting specific short-term goals or practicing new ways to handle conflict.
DonnaMaria draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to look at thoughts and actions that keep difficulties going. She also includes elements of the Gottman Method to address interaction patterns and Solution-Focused Therapy to map small, achievable changes. She discusses options with each person and adjusts the plan as progress is made.
People looking for practical ways to manage co-parenting, step-parenting challenges, or stress from caregiving will find straightforward conversation and skill-based work. Getting started involves a brief match process and scheduling a first session to decide on next steps together.
Therapeutic approaches and online sessions
DonnaMaria uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to look at how thoughts and actions keep problems going and to try practical changes in daily routines. That approach is useful for anger, anxiety about parenting, and coping with life transitions. She also draws on the Gottman Method to identify interaction patterns between partners and to practice clearer, calmer communication.Choosing the right approach is part of her work with each person. She discusses goals and preferences and then tries approaches that fit those aims. Sessions are collaborative and adjusted over time based on what is helping.
Confirm the session formats available before booking, since format details are provided at sign-up. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. They can also allow fewer visual demands if someone prefers audio only or a brief phone check-in, depending on the options offered. The therapist and client together decide how to structure sessions to fit everyday life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
She works with relationship problems, parenting and family issues, anger, and coping with life changes. Her listed focuses include blended family issues, caregiver stress, communication problems, divorce and separation, and domestic violence.
What is her therapeutic style?
She emphasizes practical, conversation-based work that identifies strengths and steps forward. The approach looks at patterns and tries new behaviors to change outcomes.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has about 20 years of professional experience as a Marriage and Family Therapist. That experience covers relationship and family-related concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She is a California LMFT - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and practices from California.
Which languages are used in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Does she work with international clients?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How does payment work and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Exact pricing information is provided during the sign-up or matching process.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule a first session. The first session is used to plan next steps.
Online talk therapy is for adults and is not emergency care, mediation or legal advice. If you or a child are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.