Profile / United States
DonnaMaria O'Connor, LMFT
California
LMFT - Relationships and Parenting
See online therapy options- CBT informed methods
- Gottman relationship work
- Solution-focused steps
About DonnaMaria
DonnaMaria O'Connor is a licensed MFT - Marriage and Family Therapist in California with about 20 years of clinical experience. She focuses on relationship and family concerns, parenting challenges, anger, and coping with life changes. DonnaMaria also addresses blended family issues, caregiver stress, communication problems, divorce and separation, and domestic violence-related concerns.
Her approach is practical and goal-oriented. She helps people identify patterns that keep problems going and then tries different ways to respond. Sessions focus on clear steps people can use between meetings along with conversations in the session itself.
DonnaMaria uses tools from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy alongside relationship work informed by the Gottman Method. That means she may look at the thoughts and habits that feed a problem, try brief experiments to test new behaviors, and practice communication skills that reduce conflict.
She treats each person with acceptance and respect and centers their own knowledge about their life. The clinician role is to clarify issues, offer concrete strategies, and support people as they try new approaches.
People who prefer structured, practical work that targets specific behaviors and interactions tend to find this style useful. Prospective clients should confirm current session options before booking to ensure the format fits their needs.
How her approaches translate to online work
DonnaMaria uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice thoughts and habits that make problems worse and then practice different responses. CBT tends to focus on specific, testable changes a person can try between sessions. The Gottman Method she uses is focused on improving communication and reducing conflict, with structured exercises that couples or partners can practice to change interaction patterns.Finding the best approach is collaborative. She will review your goals and preferences and suggest which methods to try. Together you can adjust methods if something does not fit your needs or feels unhelpful.
Confirm current session options before booking so you know which formats are available. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and avoid travel time. It also makes it possible to practice communication skills in real-life settings between sessions. Ask about format options when you schedule to match session length and frequency to your everyday routines.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she address?
She helps with relationship and family concerns, parenting issues, anger, and coping with life changes. Additional focus areas include blended family issues, caregiver stress, communication problems, divorce and separation, and domestic violence.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is practical and structured, using clear steps and exercises. Sessions aim to identify unhelpful patterns and try different ways of responding.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has about 20 years of professional experience working with relationship and family concerns.
What are her credentials and location?
She is a LMFT - Marriage and Family Therapist licensed in California.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions paid for and how much do they cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Exact fees depend on your chosen subscription tier and location.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.