Laurie Jo McDonnell, LMFT

Laurie Jo McDonnell, LMFT, helps people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, depression, grief, or relationship strain. She speaks plainly and focuses on what you want to change. Laurie acknowledges the courage it takes to begin therapy and aims to make the first steps feel manageable and real.

She leans on 25 years of clinical experience while working from the belief that each person knows their own story best. Sessions center on the client’s goals and strengths, and she helps people notice patterns that keep them stuck. Practical tools and steady listening are woven together so clients can try different ways of responding to hard moments.

Laurie integrates several approaches to fit each person’s needs. She uses tools from cognitive behavioral methods to change unhelpful thoughts and actions. Emotionally focused ideas guide conversations about connection and how feelings influence relationships.

Her work also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people clarify values and take meaningful steps even when discomfort is present. The Gottman Method informs her view of relationship dynamics and communication patterns. Narrative and client-centered perspectives shape the room so people feel heard while rewriting difficult parts of their story.

Laurie is licensed in Florida as an LMFT and brings long experience helping people navigate family problems, grief, chronic health challenges, caregiving stress, and the ripple effects of separation. She works in English and asks clients to take the first step by choosing the continue button on this profile and completing a short matching questionnaire.

How therapy approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people get clear about what matters to them and take small steps toward those values even when hard feelings come up. It’s useful for stress, anxiety, chronic illness, and situations where decisions feel stalled.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It offers practical exercises to test and shift unhelpful thinking and to build healthier routines for mood and anxiety.

Emotionally-Focused Therapy concentrates on how emotions shape connection and communication. It can help people understand attachment needs and improve how they respond in close relationships.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Laurie will collaborate with each person to pick methods that match their goals, preferences, and life circumstances. That collaborative process includes trying techniques and checking what helps.

If you want online sessions, please confirm which formats are offered before booking since formats are not listed here. Many people find remote work helpful because it can fit into busy schedules, reduce travel time, and make it easier to have shorter check-ins when needed. Talk with the therapist about what will fit your routine and goals so sessions can be arranged to work in your everyday life.