Cathy O'Brien, LMSW

Cathy O'Brien is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) based in Michigan with six years of clinical experience. She focuses on practical, everyday concerns like stress, anxiety, parenting struggles, and handling life changes. Cathy aims to make first conversations feel calmer and more manageable for worried parents.

She uses simple, direct methods to help people notice patterns in their thoughts and habits. That includes practical strategies from cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness to reduce overwhelm and break unhelpful cycles. Cathy also brings client-centered listening so people feel heard while they identify goals.

Cathy has worked with a wide range of concerns such as trauma and abuse, grief, mood disorders, ADHD, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. She also supports people dealing with eating difficulties, self-harm urges, social anxiety, and adoption or attachment issues. Her background includes school and clinic settings where she provided both in-person and virtual care.

In sessions she focuses on building trust first, then teaching skills for stress management and healthier daily routines. Conversations are collaborative - she helps people set small, workable steps and tracks progress together. Parents can expect practical ideas they can try between sessions.

Anyone considering therapy is encouraged to start with a short matching questionnaire and schedule a time to talk. Cathy balances empathy with clear strategies to help people move forward from worry and uncertainty.

Online approaches that focus on thoughts and daily routines

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people notice how thoughts affect feelings and behavior, then tests and changes unhelpful patterns with small experiments and skill practice. It is often used for anxiety, panic, OCD, and mood challenges.

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and building a trusting relationship so a person feels understood. This approach supports people as they set their own goals and find solutions that fit their life.

Finding the right approach is a team effort. Cathy will work with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That decision can change as therapy moves forward and new priorities emerge.

Confirm current session options before booking since specific formats are not listed here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Many people find virtual work helpful for maintaining consistency while learning new habits and thought strategies that apply to everyday life.