PuttingFamilyFirst

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

CO Portrait of Cathy O'Brien
Online therapist

Cathy O'Brien

Supportive social worker for family concerns

Book with Cathy
Credentials
LMSW
Experience
6 years
Licensed in
Michigan
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Cathy

Cathy O'Brien is a Licensed Master Social Worker - LMSW practicing in Michigan. She has six years of clinical experience and has worked in a range of settings with individuals and families. Cathy focuses on practical ways to manage stress, anxiety, parenting challenges, mood concerns, and trauma-related issues.

She begins by building a trusting relationship so conversations feel less scary. Sessions are led by the client’s needs and paced to what feels safe.

Background and approach

Cathy uses plain language and straightforward tools to help people manage everyday problems and emotional pain. Her work includes hands-on coping strategies for anxiety and mood symptoms, skills for parenting and family interactions, and support after loss or traumatic events. She draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.

Emotion-focused ideas are used when relationships and attachment are central to the concern. Mindfulness practices are offered to calm the body and refocus attention when stress or impulsivity feels overwhelming. Motivational interviewing helps clarify goals and find the internal reasons someone wants to change.

These methods are mixed to match each person’s situation. Many clients come with issues like ADHD, obsessive-compulsive patterns, grief, eating difficulties, or anger. Cathy also has experience with adoption and foster care, attachment-related concerns, autism spectrum traits, and other family problems.

Her style is respectful, direct, and solution-minded.

Approaches that translate to online care

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and understanding a person’s experience, then tailoring support around their goals and values; it helps when someone needs a safe place to talk and make choices. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT teaches practical techniques to spot and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which is useful for anxiety, panic, OCD, and mood difficulties. Emotionally-Focused Therapy - EFT concentrates on feelings and relationship patterns to improve how people connect and respond to each other, which can be helpful for parenting and attachment issues.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. Cathy will talk through options and try methods that match a person’s needs and preferences. She collaborates with clients to adjust tools and pacing over time so the plan fits daily life and goals.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These formats make it possible to practice skills between sessions, check in on progress, and return to conversations when needed without travel. For many people, remote sessions help maintain consistency and fit therapy into a busy family schedule while keeping the focus on practical strategies and emotional support.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)

Attends to the emotions underneath a recurring argument or distance, and to the attachment needs driving them. Often used where a relationship keeps returning to the same painful loop.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does she address?
Cathy works with a broad set of concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting, eating issues, ADHD, bipolar and a variety of mood and impulse problems.
What is her therapy style like?
She focuses on building trust and uses direct, practical strategies. Sessions combine talking through issues with concrete skills practice tailored to each person.
What experience does she bring?
She has six years of clinical experience and has worked in school, clinic, and virtual settings with individuals and families facing diverse challenges.
Which credentials and region apply?
She holds an LMSW - Licensed Master Social Worker, license number MI LMSW 6801093174, and she practices in Michigan.
What languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
How are sessions delivered?
Therapy is available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different preferences and needs.
How does billing and cost work?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are involved to begin therapy?
To get started select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
6 years
Licensed
Michigan
Languages
English

Next step

Talk to Cathy

  • Takes a few minutes
  • Nothing to set up just to look
  • Stop at any point
Book with Cathy