Counsellor profile
Lorraine McDonnell, BACP
Counsellor - Anxiety and grief
See online counselling options- Client-Centred
- CBT techniques
- Solution-Focused
About Lorraine
Counsellor Lorraine McDonnell is a BACP member with four years' experience working with adults in the United Kingdom. She focuses on anxiety, depression, self-esteem, grief and related difficulties and draws on client-centred and cognitive behavioural ways of working.
She presents the work plainly. Sessions focus on the problems people bring and practical ways to manage them. Lorraine describes how negative thinking can dominate daily life and uses conversation and exercises to reduce that grip on mood and behaviour.
Her approach combines client-centred listening with cognitive behavioural steps to change thoughts and actions. She also uses psychodynamic ideas to look at longer-standing patterns, and solution-focused techniques to identify useful next steps. The aim is to make sense of current struggles and find manageable ways forward.
She helps people handle grief, bereavement, life changes, relationship strain, parenting stress, addictions and issues such as anger or low self-worth. Lorraine also works with concerns linked to chronic illness, caring roles and end-of-life matters where these arise for an individual.
Sessions are conversational and practical. People are invited to reflect on thoughts and try small experiments between meetings. The focus is on what will make daily life more manageable and clearer, rather than on labels or quick fixes.
Therapeutic approaches used in online counselling
Client-Centred Therapy focuses on letting a person set the pace and topics. The counsellor listens and reflects so people can make sense of their feelings and choices. It helps when someone needs acceptance and clearer self-understanding.Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or CBT looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and actions. It uses practical exercises and steps to reduce worry and change unhelpful thinking. This approach is often used for anxiety, low mood and repetitive negative thinking.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Lorraine will discuss goals and preferences and decide together what to try first. That collaborative process means methods can be adjusted as progress is reviewed.
Confirm the available session formats before booking, as the biography does not list specific options. Online sessions can make it easier to fit counselling into a busy week, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Talk with the counsellor about what will suit everyday routines and practical needs before arranging the first meeting.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
4+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What does she help people with most often?
She commonly works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, low self-esteem and coping with life changes. Additional areas listed include addictions, relationship and family concerns, sleeping problems and compassion fatigue.
What therapy style does she use?
She uses client-centred listening alongside cognitive behavioural techniques, psychodynamic thinking and solution-focused work. Sessions mix conversation with practical exercises to try between meetings.
How many years of experience does she have?
She has four years' experience working with adults in therapeutic settings in the United Kingdom.
Which professional body is she a member of?
She is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, listed as BACP.
In which language are sessions held?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the UK work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted. She works with adults based in the United Kingdom.
What is the cost and payment structure?
Fees vary with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time. Exact pricing is provided through the booking process.
How do I get started?
Select the See online counselling options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule a first session.
Details come from information the counsellor supplied to BetterHelp. A membership or registration can be checked on the professional body's own register.
Online counselling is not emergency care. In an emergency call 999, or see the help numbers.