About Lorraine
Lorraine McDonnell is a counsellor with four years of practice who helps people manage anxiety, low mood, and overwhelming thoughts. She is BACP registered, and brings personal experience of anxiety into her work. Lorraine aims to make sessions feel calm and practical so people can start to feel steadier in day-to-day life.
She focuses on clear, down-to-earth conversations rather than jargon. Sessions are shaped around what each person needs, with time spent understanding current struggles and what would help most right now.
Background and approach
Lorraine listens for patterns that keep problems going and then works with the person to test different ways of thinking and acting. Her approach draws on client-centred ideas and cognitive behavioural methods to increase self-understanding and shift unhelpful thinking.
Lorraine also uses psychodynamic and solution-focused perspectives when they suit the work, blending techniques to fit the individual rather than following one fixed model. People come to her for many reasons, including stress, grief, relationship strain, addictions, sleep problems, parenting pressures, and questions around identity including LGBT concerns. She also supports those facing long-term illness, end-of-life matters, and caregiving stress.
The emphasis is on practical steps that can be used between sessions. Sessions aim to help people feel heard, reduce the intensity of upsetting thoughts, and develop small changes that add up. Lorraine encourages clients to set clear goals and reviews progress regularly so the work stays relevant and focused.
What Lorraine works with
Everything Lorraine lists, in their own terms. LGBT is the reason Lorraine is listed here; the rest shows what else Lorraine works with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Grief
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Career difficulties
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Antisocial personality
- Body image
- Cancer
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Emptiness
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counselling
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress
- Self-love
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
Approaches Lorraine lists
- Client-Centred Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each counsellor names and does not check training records.
How Lorraine’s approaches work in online therapy
Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening and understanding your experience. The counsellor offers acceptance and reflective listening so you can make sense of feelings and choices. This approach helps when people need a calm space to talk through difficult events or identity questions.Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts, feelings and behaviours are linked. It uses practical exercises and small experiments to reduce anxious thinking and improve mood. CBT can be helpful for worry, sleep problems, and unhelpful thinking patterns.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Lorraine will discuss options with each person and decide together what fits best for the goals and concerns raised. She adapts methods as the work progresses so sessions stay relevant and useful.
If you are considering online therapy, check which session formats the therapist currently offers before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, for example by saving travel time or allowing shorter check-ins when needed. It also lets people continue work if their circumstances change, while keeping the focus on practical steps and regular progress reviews.
Questions people ask about Lorraine
What kinds of problems does Lorraine help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, self-esteem difficulties, addictions, sleep problems, relationship and family concerns, trauma, parenting strain, career issues, compassion fatigue, ADHD and related struggles.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Sessions are conversational and practical, combining client-centred listening with cognitive behavioural techniques and other approaches to find what helps most for each person.
How much experience does she have?
She has four years of professional experience working with adults from a variety of backgrounds on common mental health and life challenges.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is BACP registered and is based in the United Kingdom.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the UK work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions paid for and what do they cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I start therapy with her?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
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