Donna Barnes Website

Donna Barnes

Dating and Relationship Coach

Donna Barnes is a certified life and love coach based in New York City, New York. With over 18 years of experience, Donna is known as The Love Coach. She is the host of the Broken to Brave podcast, the author of Giving Up Junk-Food Relationships, and a columnist for DigitalRomanceInc.com and DatingAdvice.com. In 2001, she was cast on the reality show The Real Sex & The City, which led to her co-hosting 205 episodes of Naked New York, a talk show about sex and relationships. In 2003, she also wrote a relationship column for New York Moves, giving advice to single women in New York City. With over 30 years of personal dating experience, she offers clients a unique perspective that combines practical hindsight, intelligence, and academic knowledge. Donna has frequently contributed to Good Morning America and Nightline. She spent three seasons with the popular "What Would You Do?" hosted by Emmy winner John Quinones.

Professional Achievements

  • Appeared on Fox & Friends, CNN, NBC's Today, CBS's Early Show, Fox News, Fuse, VH-1, and more
  • Voted one of NYC’s 12 Best Dating Coaches in 2014

Certifications & Organizations

  • New York University Personal & Life Coaching Certification

Favorite Piece of Advice

Nothing changes if nothing changes. Your thoughts create your feelings so you need to change your thinking to change your life.

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Forum Comments (1)

Crush (I am a recent widow)
This makes me think of those people on airplanes who are comfortable telling their whole life story to the stranger next to them, because there’s nothing to lose in that situation. If they have a fear of intimacy, for example, then they’re going to keep that wall up and hide behind it until they feel safe to let it down. Some people will pour their heart out and then don’t want to hear it when you try to reciprocate, which, in my experience, means they’re not really interested in you. They want you to listen to them as they vent, but they don’t want to listen. I’d actually run from that because that’s somebody who is self-absorbed.

Co-authored Articles (24)

What Does My Soulmate Look Like?

Ah, true love! Twin flames! Two halves of the same soul! Most of us dream of finding our one and only, but what if we could already know what they look like—or even what sort of personality they'll have? Answer some ...

Does She Like Me? WLW Quiz

So you’re a WLW (woman-loving-woman) crushing on a girl, but you’re not sure if she feels the same way. You’re in luck—we’ve created this quiz to help you figure out if she’s into you! Just answer these ques...

What Type of Ex Are You Quiz

What's your vibe when you go through a breakup? Are you the chill ex who sticks around as a friend? The empowered ex who has a total glow-up? The vengeful ex who publicly airs out the relationship drama? Or something els...

120+ Deep & Respectful Breakup Texts

End your relationship with honesty and empathyBreakups can be some of the most painful experiences we endure. Often, you’re not just mourning the loss of a spouse but of a friend, partner, roommate, and, of course, the...

The 10 Kinds of Breakups That Usually Get Back Together and Why

Learn why certain breakups can often lead to rekindling the relationship (plus how you can get back with your ex) It’s a tale as old as time: 2 people meet, start a relationship, break up…and end up back together. In...

What Are the Stages of a Breakup?

Relationship coach Jonathon Aslay explains the main stages of going through a breakup Breakups are one of the most difficult but inescapable parts of life, and they can feel neverending when you’re in the middle of the...

Will My Ex Come Back?

It can be tough to move on after a break-up, and you might even be wondering if there's any chance your ex will change their mind and come back. If you're in that headspace right now, this is the quiz for you. Just answ...

Is Your Ex the One That Got Away?

Far too often, we don't appreciate what we have 'til it's gone...but time can also make us remember the past as better than it was. If you're wondering whether your ex-partner was your soulmate, or if you were right to l...

11 Tips on What to Say and Do When Someone Breaks Up with You

Dating and relationship coach Donna Barnes explains how to react when someone breaks up with you Breakups are difficult, and if you suspect your current partner is about to end things (or you’ve just left the conversat...

Are They the One? 30 Signs You've Met Your Soulmate

Dating and relationship coach Donna Barnes explains the signs you’ve found your perfect matchMany people dream of the day they’ll finally meet “the one,” but how do you know when that day comes? We’ve partnered...

How to

Get Your Ex Back

Dating and relationship coach Donna Barnes explains how you can win your ex overSometimes after a breakup, you realize you still have feelings for your ex and want to be with them again. Asking your ex to get back toget...

How to

Ask a Coworker on a Date

Dating and relationship coach Donna Barnes gives you the essentials on asking out your coworkerAsking a coworker out on a date can be tricky. You don't want to be too forward, but you want to show him or her that you're ...

How to Meet a Girlfriend Online: Beginner’s Dating Guide

Dating and relationship coach Donna Barnes explains how to use dating sites, apps & more to find someone specialWhen you’re looking for love, the internet can be a great place to get a girlfriend. Going online allows y...

13 Ways to Flirt with a Guy Without Seeming Desperate

Have you ever been flirting with a guy and found yourself thinking, “Am I coming on too strong?” or, “Is he not catching my hints?” Finding the right balance between too much and not enough is the key. We'll help...

Is My Boyfriend Faithful?

Everyone wants to think their relationship is all sunshine and daisies, but is there something else going on? Is he acting funny? Is he... ''being unfaithful''? We're here to weigh in. Answer a few simple questions, and...

How to

Get Over Someone You Have to See Every Day

Dating and relationship coach Donna Barnes explains how to move on from someone you see regularlyYou knew dating your roommate/coworker/classmate probably wasn't the best idea, but six months ago you didn't want to list...

How to

Find Your Soulmate

Dating and relationship coach Donna Barnes explains what really makes someone your soulmate Sometimes finding a perfect romantic match is based on luck. However, you are more likely to find a partner in life by working o...

How to Make a Guy Fall in Love with You: A Step by Step Guide

Open his heart and win his love with these amazing tips He loves you, he loves you not, he loves you... Or at least he will, if you know how to play your cards right. In this article, we'll teach you the best ways to win...

How to

Break Up with Someone You Love

Breaking up with someone you love is never easy, but that doesn't mean there aren't things you can do to make it easier on both of you. The key is to be honest while also keeping the other person's feelings in mind.

How to Get Revenge on a Cheater and Move Forward

Dating and relationship coach Donna Barnes shares her secret to getting revenge on a cheating exBeing cheated on can feel like the ultimate betrayal, but it also provides an opportunity to seek revenge for yourself. That...
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