- Emotion-focused work
- CBT strategies
- Mindfulness practice
About Cathy
Cathy O'Brien is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) practicing in Michigan with six years of clinical experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, and parenting concerns. Cathy also supports those dealing with ADHD, grief, self-esteem struggles, and mood challenges.
She approaches work in a straightforward way. Sessions focus on identifying patterns that cause distress and building practical skills to manage them. Cathy uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) alongside client-centered conversation, cognitive behavioral strategies, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing to help people name and work with strong emotions.
Her background includes clinical roles in school and clinic settings and both in-person and virtual work. Cathy draws on experience with trauma, obsessive and compulsive concerns, panic, eating-related worries, and attachment or adoption-related issues. She aims to help people develop stress management skills and clearer ways to communicate difficult feelings.
In sessions she attends to what someone brings in the moment and pairs that with straightforward tools. This can include breaking down anxious thoughts, practicing emotion-focused conversations, or using brief mindfulness exercises. The focus is on small, practical steps that fit into everyday life.
To begin, people are asked to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first meeting. She works in English and sees people within Michigan. Costs vary by location and use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How Cathy blends EFT, CBT and client-centered work online
Emotionally-Focused Therapy helps people identify and name the emotions that drive hard-to-change patterns. It is often used when feelings are confusing or when attachment and relationship patterns feel stuck. Client-Centered Therapy centers the person's experience and uses open conversation to make sense of what matters most. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy breaks problems into thoughts, behaviors and feelings, and teaches specific skills for reducing anxiety or mood symptoms.Choosing the best approach is collaborative. Cathy will listen to goals, try out methods, and adjust the plan based on what feels most helpful. That means sessions can shift between emotion-focused conversation, practical CBT exercises, and brief mindfulness practice as needed.
The practical benefits of online work include fitting sessions into a busy schedule and making it easier to join from everyday locations. Because formats were not specified in the biography, confirm the current session options before booking. The emphasis is on making therapy work with daily life rather than asking people to rework their whole routine.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
6+ years
Listed in
Michigan
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
Cathy works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting and related issues. She also supports people with ADHD, bipolar and a range of mood or compulsive concerns.
How does she work with emotions and relationships?
She uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) to help people name and respond to strong feelings and relational patterns. That approach is used alongside other practical methods when helpful.
What is her professional background?
She holds a Licensed Master Social Worker credential and has six years of clinical practice experience in school and clinic settings and virtual care.
Where is she located?
She practices in Michigan and provides services to people within that state.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for?
Costs vary with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to get started?
Choose the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.