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DL Portrait of Donna Lemaitre

Donna Lemaitre

Compassionate counsellor focused on practical change

BACP United Kingdom

Experience
8 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse
Approaches
Gottman Method, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages
English

About Donna

Donna Lemaitre is a counsellor with eight years' experience and a BACP accreditation. She offers conversational, down-to-earth support and aims to create a warm, non-judgemental space where people can talk about what matters to them.

Background and approach

Donna draws on several therapeutic approaches to tailor sessions to each person’s needs. Her work is mainly person-centred, which means she listens actively and helps people make sense of their own experiences.

She also uses cognitive behavioural ideas to look at thoughts and behaviours, and Attachment-Based approaches to explore patterns that affect close relationships. The Gottman Method is part of her toolkit when relationship issues are discussed.

Donna has volunteered as a counsellor for a mental health charity and spent three years supporting people through bereavement at a hospice. Those roles gave her practical experience with anxiety, depression, trauma, loss and low self-esteem.

She has completed continuing professional development courses in trauma, bereavement and self-acceptance. In session she works at the client’s pace and encourages insight and self-awareness.

She supports people to build confidence and to find practical ways forward for problems such as stress, grief, addictions, parenting strain and career questions. Donna understands that loss can be about many life changes, not only death.

If someone is unsure about starting, she invites a short conversation to discuss concerns and see if the approach feels right. Donna frames therapy as a collaborative process where the client’s goals guide the work.

How therapeutic approaches work online

Donna often draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and the Gottman Method alongside Attachment-Based ideas when working online. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people accept difficult thoughts and feelings while taking actions that match their values, which suits issues like anxiety, depression and life transitions. The Gottman Method offers practical exercises and communication tools that can help when people want to improve how they relate to others. Attachment-Based work looks at early patterns of connection and how those influence current relationships and emotional responses.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences and what feels helpful, then try methods that match the person’s needs. That collaborative process means techniques can be adjusted as therapy progresses to focus on insight, skills or practical change depending on what the client wants.

Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging to provide flexibility. Video is useful for fuller conversations and face-to-face interaction, phone calls can fit into a busy day or need less bandwidth, and text or chat can work for shorter check-ins or ongoing support between sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, family or travel commitments while continuing consistent therapeutic work.

Frequently asked questions

What sorts of problems does Donna help with?
She helps with stress, anxiety, depression and trauma along with relationship and intimacy-related issues. Other areas include grief, self-esteem, addictions, parenting strain and career concerns.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her main style is person-centred, offering warm, non-judgemental listening and support. She also uses CBT and Attachment-Based work to help people understand patterns and try practical changes.
What background does she bring to sessions?
Donna has eight years' experience, including volunteer counselling for a mental health charity and three years providing bereavement support at a hospice. She has completed CPD in trauma, bereavement and related areas.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, shown as BACP, and practises from the United Kingdom.
Which languages and international options are offered?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
In what formats are sessions available?
Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
What should I do to begin working together?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist’s availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Also works with

AddictionsFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderDepressionCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centred TherapyCognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Gottman MethodMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

8+ years

Registered with

BACP

Languages

English