- Stress and anxiety
- Relationship communication
- Grief and loss
About Laurie
Laurie Jo McDonnell is a Florida licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) with 25 years of clinical experience. She works with common concerns people bring in early adulthood like stress, anxiety, relationship strains, grief, and depression. Laurie focuses on helping clients who are navigating family problems and communication breakdowns.
She approaches therapy from the perspective that the client knows their story best. Sessions are conversational and practical. Laurie uses methods that encourage clients to name values, notice patterns, and try small changes between sessions.
Her work includes attention to attachment and abandonment issues, codependency, and blended family problems. She also supports people facing chronic illness, caregiver stress, cancer related concerns, and the emotional strain of aging in the family.
Laurie draws on several therapy models to match what a person needs in the room. That can mean looking at thoughts and behaviors, focusing on emotions in relationships, or helping people clarify what matters most to them. She also incorporates approaches aimed at improving couple communication.
Practical skills and direct conversation are common features of her sessions. Clients who want a therapist to help them sort priorities, practice new ways of talking, or manage anxiety and low mood may find this helpful. The first step is usually a short questionnaire and a scheduled session to see how the approach fits.
Therapeutic approaches and how online sessions work
Laurie commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help people clarify what matters to them and take small steps toward those values. ACT supports handling difficult thoughts and feelings so they get less in the way of everyday life.She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to spot unhelpful thinking and try new behaviors that reduce anxiety and low mood. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) informs work on relationship patterns by helping people name emotions and change interactional cycles.
Deciding which approach to focus on is a shared process. The therapist and client will review goals and preferences and then try methods that seem to fit best. That may shift over time as progress or new concerns emerge.
Confirm the current session options before booking since specific formats are not listed here. Online sessions can make therapy easier to fit around work or study and let people choose arrangements that reduce travel and scheduling friction. Some formats can be better for shorter check-ins or when camera use is not ideal, while others allow deeper conversational work. The practical aim is to help therapy slot into everyday life in a way that supports regular progress.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
Florida
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she work with?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship problems, family conflict, grief, and depression along with related issues like attachment, codependency, and caregiver stress.
What is her therapy style like?
Sessions are conversational and practical, using techniques from several approaches to focus on values, emotions, thoughts, and communication.
How much experience does she have?
She has 25 years of professional experience as a clinician in mental health settings.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an LMFT - a licensed marriage and family therapist - practicing in Florida.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for and what do they cost?
Costs vary by location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What is the first step to begin working together?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.
Online talk therapy through BetterHelp is for adults aged 18 and over and is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.