Cassidy O'Brien
In working with families, I utilize a transparent and collaborative approach; YOU are the expert in your child, and therapy works best when we work together as a team to support your child. Similarly, when working with children, I take a child-centered and strengths-based approach, meeting each child with warmth, empathy, and acceptance of their own individual life experience. I believe that children, no matter how young, are deserving of respect and understanding, and I strive to create a safe space for children to heal, learn, and grow - and to have fun in the process.
First session
My counseling style is accepting, sincere and validating. I make it a priority to create a safe, inclusive environment, and I believe in the innate capacity of individuals and families to heal and thrive when given the right compassion, tools, and support. I believe that therapy is for everyone and that every person deserves the opportunity to reach their goals and feel their best.
Strengths
I approach my work with children by viewing them in the context of the whole family, using a family-systems lens to cater to the unique relationships and dynamics within the family and to support the strengthening of those relationships. Drawing from my training in early childhood mental health, I strive to promote attachment in child-caregiver relationships, knowing that secure attachment with a caregiver is the foundation to a happy and healthy childhood - and beyond!
Ideal clients
My ideal client is a child or teen who is facing challenges related to anxiety, executive functioning, school issues, social issues, behavioral issues, or difficult family dynamics. I approach my work with a family-systems lens and highly value a collaborative relationship with my clients' caregivers to fully support the whole family system. My passion is providing coaching and support directly to parents/caregivers so they feel knowledgable and better-equipped to manage the challenges directly with their child.
Treatment methods
Parent-Child Interaction (PCIT)
I use the Parent-Child Interaction (PCIT) model of therapy to promote attachment in child-caregiver relationships and coach parents in using evidence-based behavioral modification strategies with their children. This model is especially effective for families struggling with behavioral challenges, such as tantrums, defiance, aggression, and impulsivity. Through PCIT coaching, parents gain confidence, stress goes down, and children learn to control their feelings and actions.
Child-Parent Psychotherapy
For children who have experienced trauma, loss, or severe stress, I incorporate both child and caregiver in session together to heal the relationship, restore emotional health, and rebuild a sense of safety. In using a Child Parent Psychotherapy model, our goal would be to strengthen the attachment relationship, process trauma, and reduce symptoms of trauma and anxiety.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach, the gold-star treatment for anxiety and depression, to teach children how their thoughts, feelings, and actions connect, helping them reframe negative thinking, manage anxiety, and cope with behavioral challenges.
Play Therapy
Play therapy enables me to use play—a child's natural language—to teach about and explore emotions, process trauma, and resolve behavioral or social difficulties through toys, art, and games instead of traditional talk therapy.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
The practice of mindfulness involves tuning into the present moment and becoming more aware of our thoughts, feelings, body sensations, and the environment - and observing these with non-judgement and acceptance. I incorporate mindfulness into therapy sessions to support children/teens with decreasing stress and negative rumination as well as improving emotional regulation, frustration tolerance, attention and focus, and impulse control.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
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Licensed in
- CaliforniaLicense 93795
- OhioLicense I.2607755