Laurie Jo McDonnell, LMFT

Florida | Online sessions in Florida | English | Book with Laurie »

Calm guidance to rewrite stressful stories

Details

Name	Laurie Jo McDonnell
Credentials	LMFT
Based in	Florida
Licensed in	Florida
Session format	Online
Languages	English
Years in practice	25

About Laurie

Laurie Jo McDonnell is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Florida with 25 years of experience. She helps people who are overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, grief, or depression. She also supports those facing relationship and family difficulties and helps people handle life changes that feel heavy or confusing.

She works from the idea that each person is the expert on their own life story. Sessions focus on listening to what matters to the client and building on strengths already present.

Background and approach

Conversations aim to clarify what feels stuck and to find small, practical steps forward. Her approach draws on Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered methods, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT). Those tools are used to help people rewrite unhelpful patterns, notice what matters most, and practice new ways of responding to stress and relationship pain.

Laurie uses straightforward language and a calm, steady manner in sessions. She encourages realistic goals that fit daily life, not perfect outcomes. Parents reading this on a phone can expect short, clear explanations and a focus on what can change right now.

She is licensed in Florida as an LMFT and brings a long history of clinical work to each meeting. If a client wants to explore options, she guides them through deciding which methods might fit their goals and values.

What this therapist works with

Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Relationship issues, Family conflicts among the things Laurie works with, alongside the areas below.

Approaches listed

Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Laurie among the ways she works.
Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Laurie among the ways she works.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Laurie among the ways she works.
Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT): Listed by Laurie among the ways she works.
Gottman Method: Listed by Laurie among the ways she works.
Internal Family Systems: Listed by Laurie among the ways she works.
Systemic Therapy: Listed by Laurie among the ways she works.
Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Laurie directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.

Narrative Therapy in this listing

Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.

If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Laurie directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.

Online session options

How these approaches translate to online work

Laurie commonly draws on Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Client-Centered methods when working online. Narrative Therapy helps people examine the stories they tell about themselves and separate painful events from identity. It can be useful for relationship concerns and family patterns. ACT focuses on values and small action steps so people can move toward what matters despite difficult thoughts or feelings. Client-Centered therapy emphasizes listening, empathy, and shaping sessions around the client’s pace and priorities.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. Laurie will help clients decide what fits best by talking about their goals, daily routines, and what feels most helpful. That decision is collaborative and can shift over time as progress is made or new needs emerge.

Online therapy is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to make sessions more flexible. Video lets people work face to face when schedules allow. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is low or a quieter check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging are useful for brief check-ins or ongoing support between sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life while still using evidence-informed approaches.

Common questions about this listing

What concerns does she help address?

She helps people with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, relationship problems, and family issues. Additional focus areas include caregiving stress, chronic illness, abandonment, and communication problems.

What is her general therapeutic style?

The style is collaborative and conversational, centered on listening and building on a person’s strengths. Techniques are practical and aimed at small changes that add up over time.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has 25 years of professional work experience helping people with emotional and relational concerns. That experience informs a steady, experienced approach in sessions.

What are her credentials and where is she located?

She is licensed in Florida as an LMFT, which stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and practices from that state.

Can I meet with her if I live outside the United States?

Sessions are provided in English and she does not accept international clients at this time.

Which session formats are offered?

She meets via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and schedules.

How does pricing work for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Contacting this therapist

Sessions with Laurie are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Laurie where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.

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