Cathy O'Brien

Cathy O’Brien is a Licensed Master Social Worker practicing in Michigan. She holds an LMSW credential and brings six years of clinical experience working across multiple settings with children, families, and individuals. Her work addresses a wide range of concerns including 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, and ADHD.

She is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and has supported many people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or loss. Cathy also helps clients build stress-management skills and coping strategies to navigate daily challenges.

Cathy begins by establishing a trusting therapeutic relationship to help clients feel safe and comfortable. She treats everyone with respect, sensitivity, and empathy, and tailors her approach to each person’s needs using a mix of therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused techniques. She has provided services in school and clinic environments as well as through virtual sessions following changes prompted by COVID-19.

Cathy often invites clients to consider a perspective popularized by Catherine Pulsifer: “We are all faced with challenges at some point in our life, challenges that we did not create. Challenges that happened beyond our control. The difference is how we respond to these challenges. You can adopt the attitude that there is nothing you can do, or you can see the challenge as your call to action.” She offers support to those ready to take steps toward that call to action and looks forward to working with new clients.