John O'Brien
Hi, whether you are considering therapy for the first time or returning after a break, effective therapy begins with a good "fit." I have lived experience as a consumer of mental health services which inspired me to become a licensed therapist to address the gaps I experienced when receiving help. I have worked with, over the past 35 years, as a substance abuse counselor (most recent 5 years as Marriage and Family Therapist) in outpatient, inpatient, child welfare, children's system of care, probation, mediation, in-custody, crisis intervention, hospitalization, opiate addiction treatment, severely mentally ill, unhoused and dual diagnosis treatment, as well as, private practice. I feel that listening, compassion and understanding are very important in a dismissive world. I enjoy lifting others up to help them reach their full potential, however, I will address times when your growth hits a "stuck point" or a setback. These can happen. I enjoy working together with others in a spirit of humility, curiosity, and authenticity.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
It is crucial that you find someone you can feel comfortable talking with. I offer supportive, warm, and honest feedback using therapeutic tools and interventions that have helped many like yourself regain the clarity, confidence, and purpose
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
In our first session together we will take the time to get to know one another. We will work to better understand the needs and goals being brought into our space together. We will also begin to explore some of the options to move forward in our journey toward these goals.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I enjoy working with individuals who feel hopeless, who worry excessively and who have difficulty with uncertainty. People who struggle with feelings of having let themselves or others down, guilt, shame and a feeling that "others may get better, but not me" peak my interest. I enjoy client's who feel ready to make changes for a better life, but don't know where to start. I believe that everyone has a superpower, and I enjoy the adventure of discovering your superpower. I enjoy seeing my clients achieving greater success than myself.
Location
VirtualMy treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I have experience in working with adults and teens using ACT to reduce anxiety and depression by exploring values to empower toward change and process relationship balance and self care using acceptance. With my history as a substance abuse counselor, ACT is the clinical approach expressed in the well-known "serenity prayer" in recovery programs.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have lived experience in the use of CBT to achieve wellness and overcome severe symptoms of depression. This inspired me to become a licensed therapist to engage in a structured approach to exploring problems, identifying distortions in thinking that cause distress and developing a new way of thinking to overcome seemingly insurmountable problems.
Attachment-based
Having worked in diagnosing, referring and treating children age 0 to 17 in systems such as child welfare, school referrals and referrals from primary care physicians over the past 5 years I have used attachment theory to understand and improve relationships impaired by insecure attachments.
Christian Counseling
I have volunteered as a group facilitator for substance abuse and mental health recovery at a non-denominational Christian church at which I attend.
Interpersonal
Processing issues between couples, coworkers and peers over the past 35 years requires the development of skills in communication and active listening. I harbor the idea of interpersonal recovery as "you get out of it, what you put into it."
1 rating with written reviews
October 28, 2025
I've only had two sessions with John so far but he has been very easy to talk to and is understandiing of my believe system, so that has been helpful for me to feel more comfortable to talk freely. John has given practical and helpful feedback back so far, as well as different healthy perspectives to view outside of my own. I am looking forward to future sessions.