- Stress and anxiety
- Blended family issues
- Gottman informed work
About Laurie
Laurie Jo McDonnell is a Florida LMFT with 25 years of professional experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, family conflict, grief and depression. Laurie recognises that starting therapy is a step that takes courage and she aims to make that first contact straightforward.
She frames clients as the experts on their own stories and looks for strengths to build on. Sessions focus on practical steps people can use between meetings. Conversations are direct and plain, aimed at clearer communication and more manageable day-to-day coping.
Laurie draws on several approaches to fit what each person needs. She uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people notice difficult feelings and act on values. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps identify unhelpful thoughts and change patterns that keep problems in place. Emotionally-Focused methods and the Gottman Method inform her work where relationship understanding and interaction patterns matter.
Laurie also supports people dealing with issues that often come with caregiving, chronic illness, or major life transitions. She pays attention to family of origin concerns, abandonment and attachment themes when they affect current relationships. Her work includes practical skills for communication, setting boundaries, and managing stress.
People who choose her usually want clear, ordinary language and hands-on techniques. She will help clarify goals, try approaches that fit those goals, and adjust as progress and needs change.
Therapeutic approaches and how online sessions work
Laurie often draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in her work. ACT helps people notice difficult feelings and commit to actions that align with their values, which can be useful for grief, anxiety, and life changes. CBT focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and testing them with practical experiments to reduce anxiety and depressive patterns.She also uses elements from Emotionally-Focused Therapy and the Gottman Method when relationship patterns and communication are central concerns. These approaches look at emotional responses and interaction habits so partners or individuals can change how they relate and respond to one another.
Finding the right approach is part of the process. Laurie will work collaboratively to identify goals, try approaches that match those goals, and adjust as progress or needs change. The first few sessions are used to figure out what methods feel most helpful for each person.
Confirm the current session options before booking, as formats are not listed here. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into busy days, allow shorter check-ins, reduce travel time, and offer flexibility around work or caregiving schedules. Ask about specific session arrangements when you complete the matching questionnaire.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
Florida
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She helps with stress, anxiety, relationship strain, family conflicts, grief, and depression as listed in her specialties.
What is her general therapy style?
She uses a practical, client-led style that highlights strengths and focuses on clear communication and everyday coping skills.
How much experience does she have?
She has 25 years of professional experience working with adults on a range of relationship and mood concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Florida LMFT and practices in Florida according to the credential listed.
In which languages are sessions offered?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
She is not currently accepting international clients.
How are sessions scheduled and what about cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
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.