Cathy O'Brien

Cathy O'Brien is a Licensed Master Social Worker who brings six years of direct clinical experience to her practice. She trained at Michigan State University and has worked in schools and clinics, offering help to people facing anxiety, depression, trauma, and other life stresses. Cathy focuses on building a trusting relationship so people feel safer talking about hard things.

Her work centers on practical skills and clear, collaborative planning. Cathy uses Trauma-Focused Therapy when trauma or abuse is part of the story, and she combines this with Client-Centered and Cognitive Behavioral techniques to fit each person's needs. She also draws on Emotionally-Focused and mindfulness approaches where helpful.

Cathy has supported people with parenting concerns, adoption and foster care questions, attention differences such as ADHD, and a range of mood or impulse-related struggles. She has experience helping with grief, self-harm thoughts, obsessive behaviors, and panic symptoms, and she helps people develop stress management tools they can use day to day.

Sessions aim to be practical and paced to each person. Cathy talks things through, helps set small goals, and teaches skills that can be practiced between visits. She emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and empathy while working alongside people to address what matters most to them.

If someone is ready to start, Cathy helps them take the first steps and supports them through the early stages of change.

How Cathy’s approaches translate to online work

Trauma-Focused Therapy focuses on helping people process distressing events and learn skills to reduce overwhelming reactions. It often combines structured techniques with careful pacing so people feel ready to address painful memories.

Client-Centered Therapy centers on listening and meeting each person where they are. The approach emphasizes empathy and respect, and it helps people find their own solutions while feeling heard.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It uses practical exercises and homework to change unhelpful patterns, which can help with anxiety, panic, obsessions, and mood problems.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Cathy will work with each person to decide which methods fit their goals, needs, and preferences. She checks in regularly and adjusts the focus as progress unfolds.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm the specific session formats before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. It also makes it possible to practice skills in everyday settings between visits. Ask about the current session options when you start the matching process to find what will work best for you.