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LMSW

Cathy O'Brien, LMSW

  • Experience6 years
  • LocationMichigan
  • Focus areasADHD, Stress and Anxiety, and Family
  • Therapy approachesClient-Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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About Cathy

Cathy O'Brien is an LMSW practicing in Michigan with six years of clinical experience. She brings a social work background and a breadth of mental health experience to her work, helping people navigate concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma and abuse, grief, and family difficulties.

Background and approach

Her prior roles have included supporting individuals and families and developing practical stress management and coping skills. Her style centers on building a trusting therapeutic relationship, using respect, empathy, and sensitivity to create a comfortable space for change.

Cathy integrates client-centered listening with evidence-informed techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing, tailoring interventions to each person’s needs. She also draws on emotionally-focused and mindfulness-based strategies when helpful, and has experience addressing a wide range of additional concerns such as attachment issues, autism spectrum traits, obsessive-compulsive patterns, panic, self-harm, and eating-related struggles.

Clients who prefer a collaborative, strengths-oriented approach will find a focus on practical skills and emotionally grounded insight. Cathy encourages people to view challenges as opportunities for action and partners with them to set achievable goals and adapt tools to daily life.

Approaches that guide online work and practical support

Client-centered therapy emphasizes listening and collaboration, placing the person's experience and preferences at the center of sessions to build trust and clarify goals. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying patterns of thoughts and behaviors that contribute to distress and teaching concrete skills to change those patterns, which can help with anxiety, mood issues, and ADHD-related challenges. Emotionally-focused techniques help people explore and reorganize emotional responses in relationships and personal coping, supporting deeper processing of grief or trauma when needed.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and the therapist will work collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and comfort level. Cathy adapts strategies over time, combining listening, skill-building, and mindfulness when appropriate so the plan evolves with the client's progress.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, allowing people to access care from home or on the go. These formats make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, practice skills between meetings, and maintain continuity of care when in-person options are limited.

Frequently asked questions

Which concerns does Cathy commonly address?
She works with a broad range of concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma and abuse, grief, family problems, and related mood or behavioral issues.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her approach emphasizes a trusting relationship, empathy, and respect while blending client-centered listening with practical, evidence-informed techniques such as CBT and motivational interviewing.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has six years of experience working in the mental health field in a variety of roles supporting individuals and families.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is an LMSW licensed in Michigan with license number MI LMSW 6801093174 and practices clinically in Michigan.
Does she offer services in other languages or to international clients?
She provides services in English and is not currently accepting international clients.
Which session formats are available?
Sessions can take place by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different communication preferences.
How are costs and subscriptions handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions are provided through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin working together?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsAnger managementDepression

Also works with

Trauma and abuseGriefEating disordersParenting issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesADHD

Additional focus areas

Adoption and foster careAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeControl issuesDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Family problemsImpulsivityMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressSelf-harmSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaTrichotillomaniaYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

6+ years

Licensed

Michigan

Languages

English

What Cathy can help with

Cathy O'Brien works with clients on stress and anxiety, family conflicts, anger management, and depression.

Cathy works with children.

Cathy has worked with many people who have experienced trauma such as abuse or grief.

Cathy has worked with people to help them establish stress management skills.

How Cathy approaches therapy

Cathy's clinical approaches include Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Therapy.

Experience and training

Cathy is a Licensed Masters Social Worker practicing in Michigan.