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DO Portrait of DonnaMaria O'Connor

DonnaMaria O'Connor

Compassionate, practical therapy for relationships

LMFT California

Experience
20 years in practice
Focus areas
Relationship, Family, Parenting
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Gottman Method
Languages
English
Continue with DonnaMaria

About DonnaMaria

DonnaMaria O'Connor is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) practicing in California with two decades of clinical experience. She draws on a blend of structured methods and collaborative listening to help clients navigate relationship tensions, family conflicts, parenting challenges, anger, and significant life transitions.

Background and approach

Her background includes focused work on blended family dynamics, caregiver stress, communication breakdowns, divorce and separation, and domestic violence concerns. O'Connor approaches therapy from a strengths-based perspective, inviting clients to define their goals while offering tools to address obstacles.

She emphasizes empathy, acceptance, and respect, aiming to create a supportive environment where people can explore change and build practical skills. Her practice balances skills-based strategies with an emphasis on clients' existing resources, helping them take steps toward healthier interactions and more manageable day-to-day coping.

Evidence-Informed Approaches Available Online



Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors. It offers practical exercises that help people manage strong emotions, reduce reactive behaviors such as anger, and develop more effective coping strategies for life changes.

The Gottman Method centers on improving communication and repairing relationship patterns through concrete skills and exercises. It is useful for partners or family members who want to strengthen connection, resolve recurring conflicts, and learn healthier ways to argue and reconnect.

Finding the right fit is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with clients to determine which approach or combination of approaches aligns with their goals, preferences, and the specific challenges they bring to sessions. This partnership helps tailor interventions while building on clients' existing strengths.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, allowing people to access care from different locations and on varying schedules. These formats make it easier to maintain continuity of care while trying out methods such as CBT exercises or Gottman communication practices between sessions.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns can be addressed here?
The practice focuses on relationship and family issues, parenting and anger management, coping with life changes, and related areas such as blended family challenges, caregiver stress, communication problems, divorce and separation, and domestic violence.
How would you describe the therapeutic approach and style?
The therapist combines structured, skills-based methods with collaborative listening and a strengths-based stance, emphasizing empathy, acceptance, and respect while helping clients identify and work toward their goals.
What is the clinician's background and experience?
She has approximately 20 years of professional experience working with relationship and family-focused concerns across a range of client situations.
What credentials and location information are available?
She is a licensed marriage and family therapist, CA LMFT 42485, and provides services based in California.
Which languages are offered and are international clients accepted?
Services are offered in English, and international clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available for working together?
Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and needs.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are delivered through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin therapy?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule appointments based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsParenting issuesAnger managementCoping with life changes

Additional focus areas

Blended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsDivorce and separationDomestic violence

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Gottman MethodSolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

20+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English