- Emotionally-Focused Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- CBT techniques
About Laurie
Laurie Jo McDonnell is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in Florida with 25 years of professional experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, family conflict, grief and loss, and depression. Laurie uses straightforward conversation and practical strategies to help clients name what is happening and find clearer ways forward.
She describes clients as experts in their own stories and focuses on strengths people already have. Sessions concentrate on identifying patterns that cause pain and on small changes that can reduce stress and improve communication. Laurie draws on Emotionally-Focused Therapy to look at emotions and attachment patterns when feelings are hard to name.
Her approach also includes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people clarify values and try new, manageable behaviors. Client-Centered Therapy influences the way she listens and responds, aiming for conversations that feel direct and helpful. The Gottman Method informs practical skills for communicating and solving recurring problems.
Laurie has worked across many life stages and situations that bring strain, including caregiver stress, chronic illness and blended family challenges. She often addresses issues such as abandonment, attachment concerns, codependency, and family-of-origin problems. Her background gives her a broad base of strategies to draw from when clients want both emotional understanding and concrete tools.
People considering a first session are invited to complete the initial matching questionnaire and schedule a first meeting. Laurie keeps sessions focused and aims to help people build clearer pathways through difficult moments.
Approaches used in online sessions
Laurie works with Emotionally-Focused Therapy to help people understand difficult emotions and attachment patterns that show up in relationships and personal life. EFT focuses on naming emotions and changing interaction patterns so feelings can be expressed in clearer ways.She also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people clarify what matters to them and take small actions aligned with those values. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is used to identify unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors that reduce anxiety and depression symptoms.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss options and collaborate with the client to decide which methods to emphasize based on goals, preferences, and what is happening in daily life.
Session formats are not specified here, so please confirm the available online options before booking. In general, online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when that's helpful, and let people join without travel time. Licensed professionals can adjust pacing, use brief exercises between sessions, and focus on skills practice that fits a client's routine.
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 works with stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, family conflict, grief and loss, and depression. Additional areas include caregiver stress, chronic illness, abandonment concerns, and communication problems.
What is her therapeutic style?
Laurie listens in a direct, client-centered way and combines emotional exploration with practical skills. She uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy alongside ACT and CBT methods to address feelings and behaviors.
How much experience does she have?
She has 25 years of professional work experience as a therapist in Florida.
What credential and location apply to her practice?
She is a Florida LMFT and practices in Florida.
In which language are sessions offered?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are not accepted at this time.
What session formats are available?
Session formats are not specified here; please confirm current session options before booking.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.