- Years in practice
- 6
- Credentials
- LMSW
- Licensed in
- Michigan
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Family conflicts
- Focus
- Anger management
About Cathy
Cathy O'Brien is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) based in Michigan with six years of clinical experience. She focuses on helping people facing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, parenting challenges, and other mood and behavioral concerns. Cathy aims to build a trusting rapport so clients feel understood and safe from the first session.
Cathy draws from practical tools rather than long lectures. She uses clear, straightforward techniques to reduce overwhelm and manage symptoms.
Background and approach
Sessions often include skill-building around stress management, coping with life changes, and improving self-worth. Her work includes addressing issues such as ADHD, obsessive thoughts and compulsions, panic, grief, and self-harm. She also supports people dealing with adoption and foster care questions, attachment concerns, and autism-related challenges.
Cathy helps people sort priorities and make manageable steps forward when life feels chaotic. Her style blends client-centered listening with approaches that focus on thoughts, emotions, and present goals. She uses mindfulness practices to calm intense feelings and motivational interviewing to help people find their own reasons for change.
Cathy tailors the mix of methods to each person's needs rather than using a one-size-fits-all plan. People who come to her can expect a respectful, empathetic space and practical next steps to try between sessions. Cathy encourages small, achievable goals and checks progress regularly so the work stays relevant to daily life.
What Cathy works with
Everything Cathy lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Cathy helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Family conflicts
- Anger management
- Depression
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Eating disorders
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- ADHD
- Adoption and foster care
- Attachment issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Control issues
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Family problems
- Impulsivity
- Mood disorders
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Trichotillomania
- Young adult issues
Approaches Cathy lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Approaches and how they fit online
Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and understanding a person's experience, helping them feel heard and guiding conversations at their pace. This approach supports people who need space to explore parenting worries, grief, or low self-esteem. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches concrete strategies to reduce anxiety, manage mood swings, and handle obsessive thoughts. Emotionally-Focused Therapy helps people identify and work through strong emotions so they respond differently to stress and relationship strain.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn't worked before. Together they will try methods that match current needs and make adjustments as progress is tracked.
Online sessions offer practical flexibility. Video calls let the therapist observe body language and run skill-building exercises, phone sessions can be a better fit when bandwidth is limited, live chat works for brief check-ins and quick problem-solving, and text-based messaging supports day-to-day coaching and reminders. These options make it easier to keep continuity of care around work, school, or caregiving responsibilities and to practice new skills between sessions.
Questions people ask about Cathy
What concerns does Cathy address?
Cathy helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting challenges, eating concerns, self-esteem, bipolar issues, ADHD, and coping with life changes.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is warm and practical. She combines attentive listening with skills-based work like stress management, mindfulness, and goal setting.
What kind of background does she have?
She holds a Licensed Master Social Worker credential and has six years of clinical experience working in mental health settings with a range of concerns.
Where is Cathy licensed and practicing?
She is licensed in Michigan and practices with that regional focus in mind.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can be conducted via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs.
How does pricing work for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
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