- Support for grief
- Focus on relationships
- Values-based work
About Laurie
Laurie Jo McDonnell is a Florida licensed marriage and family therapist with 25 years of experience. She focuses on helping people who feel overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, grief, depression, and relationship or family problems. She affirms each person’s strengths and treats clients as the experts on their own lives.
Laurie works in straightforward, respectful conversation. She helps people name what’s most distressing and try simple, practical steps that fit their day-to-day life. Sessions are aimed at clearer communication, coping with loss, and reducing the weight of ongoing worry.
Her approach draws on methods that help people act in line with their values and change unhelpful habits. Laurie also uses person-centered listening to make space for whatever someone brings to the session. She incorporates tools to identify patterns in relationships and to build more stable emotional responses.
With a focus on family of origin issues, attachment concerns, and codependency, Laurie often helps people untangle long-standing dynamics that contribute to emptiness or chronic stress. She also supports those managing caregiver strain, chronic illness, and the emotional impact of cancer in loved ones.
Her work is practical and calm. Laurie guides people through divorce and separation challenges, blended family questions, and communication problems. She encourages small, steady changes so clients can move toward healthier connections and more manageable daily life.
Approaches that translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people clarify what matters to them and take small actions that align with those values. It is useful for anxiety, stress, and feelings of emptiness. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes careful listening and reflection so clients feel heard and can explore their own solutions. This approach supports people coping with grief or relationship strain. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety and low mood.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Laurie will collaborate with each person to choose techniques that match their goals and preferences. She checks in about what feels useful and adjusts strategies over time so the plan fits the person, not the other way around.
Confirm current session options before booking since formats are not specified here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life by reducing travel time and allowing appointments during breaks or from a quieter space. It also supports consistent check-ins when juggling caregiving, chronic health concerns, or work commitments. Speak with the therapist during the matching process about the practical details you need to make sessions work.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Credentials
Florida
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does Laurie address?
She helps people dealing with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, and relationship or family problems. Additional focus areas include codependency, attachment issues, and caregiver stress.
What is her general therapeutic style?
Laurie uses direct, person-centered conversation and practical exercises. Sessions emphasize identifying patterns and trying concrete steps that fit everyday life.
How long has she been practicing?
She has 25 years of professional work experience supporting people through a range of emotional and relational challenges.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
Laurie is a licensed marriage and family therapist with the credential LMFT and practices in Florida.
Which languages are offered for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients schedule with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for and what does cost look like?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Laurie?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.