Key details
- CredentialsLMSW
- LicenseLMSW, Michigan / 6801093174
- NPI1639592355
- Experience6 years
- LanguagesEnglish
- LocationMichigan
About
- CBT strategies
- Mindfulness practice
- Motivational interviewing
About Cathy
Cathy O'Brien is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) practicing in Michigan with six years of clinical experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, anger, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting struggles, and related concerns. Cathy combines practical skills with conversational care to help people manage difficult feelings and everyday problems.
She uses clear, goal-focused methods in sessions. Cathy emphasizes building a reliable therapeutic relationship first, so people feel understood and able to speak honestly. She listens for concrete patterns - what triggers anger or anxiety, and what small changes make a difference day to day.
Her approach draws from client-centered techniques, cognitive behavioral ideas, emotionally-focused work, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing. That mix is used to notice thoughts and behaviors, practice alternatives, and try small experiments between sessions. Cathy often helps people develop stress management tools and coping strategies they can use right away.
People who come to her for anger issues are offered straightforward ways to recognize escalation, slow down, and respond with intention. She also supports those dealing with trauma, grief, mood challenges, and obsessive or impulsive behaviors. Sessions aim to clarify immediate priorities and build practical next steps.
Her background includes work in clinic and school settings and experience providing virtual care. Cathy asks new clients to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule an initial session so they can start with a clear plan.
How sessions work
How her approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting so the client feels understood and can set their own goals. It is useful when anger comes from relationship strain or unclear expectations.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and actions that keep problems going and teaches small experiments to change them. CBT can help with sudden anger, panic, obsessive thinking, and mood shifts by practicing new responses between sessions.
Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) helps name and move through strong emotions in the moment, useful when anger is tied to attachment or relationship hurts.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Cathy will discuss these methods and collaborate with the client to choose what fits their goals, whether that means practicing skills, trying behavioral experiments, or learning ways to sit with strong feelings. The plan can change as needs and results become clearer.
The biography indicates she has provided virtual care in the past, but current session formats should be confirmed before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when time is limited, and let people use mindfulness or CBT exercises in real settings between meetings. Many licensed professionals adapt materials and homework for remote sessions so practical skills translate into everyday life.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
6+ years
Listed in
Michigan
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Which concerns does she address related to anger?
Cathy works with stress, anger, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, parenting strain, and many mood-related issues. She also lists ADHD, OCD, impulsivity, and related concerns among her focus areas.
What is her therapeutic style like?
She starts by building a trusting relationship and uses practical, goal-focused methods. Sessions combine client-centered listening with CBT, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing techniques.
How much experience does she have?
Cathy has six years of clinical experience working in mental health settings including clinics and schools. That background includes working with people who have experienced trauma and grief.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds the LMSW credential and practices in Michigan.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are used?
The original biography notes she has provided in-person and virtual work in past settings, but current session formats should be confirmed before booking.
How does pricing work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session to get started.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is unsafe, use the crisis numbers.