Caroline O'Brien (my pronouns are She/Her)

I like to be real and to meet people where they are at. As an Integrative therapist I draw on a range of counselling models and techniques, tailoring my approach to meet each client’s need. I prioritise comfort and safety, taking time to establish trust and a good connection. From there, I work collaboratively, encouraging clients to feel empowered and agreeing a time frame and a pace that works for them.

My firm belief is that we are each our own expert and that by working with someone who accepts us unconditionally, we can find our way through the things that are challenging us. Issues I may be able to help you with include anxiety, addiction, relationship issues, attachment issues, childhood trauma, complex PTSD, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, divorce, family difficulties, gender identity, body dysmorphia, and domestic abuse.

I am trained and informed in working with neurodiversity and can adapt my way of working to suit different communication styles and strengths. I am also able to use creative approaches with clients. If you find it easier to write your thoughts down as a letter or a poem or if it is helpful to use art to explore your feelings and experiences, we can do this. For clients who find it difficult to articulate their thoughts, I can provide sorting activities, prompt cards and other visuals to help. What matters most is that you feel comfortable and fully able to be yourself.

It’s important to find the right therapist for you so if you would like an initial conversation to help you decide, I offer a free 15-minute telephone session as a chance to ask questions and get to know me a little. If we decide to go ahead, we will use our first full session to clarify any goals you might want to set and to complete a contract for working together. From there, we can decide what the shape and form of subsequent sessions will be.

However things are for you, whether you know what's on your mind and need to talk about things that have happened to you, or whether you would like help to untangle your thoughts and work out where to begin, I offer you a safe space to think, breathe, and be heard.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REGISTRATION: I hold a Masters’ in Counselling and Psychotherapy (UWE), am MBACP registered, and hold Enhanced DBS status. I am also ICO registered and GDPR compliant.