Kim O’Brien, LMHC Therapist in Massachusetts & Florida
HERE’S A LITTLE ABOUT ME
BUT REALLY, IT’S ABOUT HOW I CAN HELP YOU
Hi, I’m Kim O’Brien —Let’s Figure This Out Together.
I help anxious overthinkers—planners, perfectionists, and deep thinkers—untangle the mental overwhelm, feel less stuck, and find relief that actually lasts.
I believe people do well if they can. That simple idea shapes everything I do as a therapist.
When life feels overwhelming, relationships are strained, or old patterns keep pulling you back, it’s not because you’re failing. It’s because you’re doing the best you can with the skills you have—and sometimes, those skills just need a little fine-tuning. That’s where I come in.
Why I Do This Work
It’s important to me to create a space where all parts of you are welcome—no judgment, no expectations, just understanding.
This is a space where you can share the thoughts you keep to yourself because they’ve been misunderstood or dismissed before.
Maybe you’ve never dreamed of having kids or wondered if parenting was the right choice for you, even though you love your child.
Maybe you’ve questioned what your future looks like or felt unsure about the choices you’ve made.
Maybe you find yourself not feeling grief or sadness in the ways people expect, and that makes you question if you even care.
Or maybe you’ve been told that wanting more from life means you’re ungrateful for what you already have.
Whatever you’re carrying, this is a place where you can unpack it all, without fear of being judged, dismissed, or misunderstood.
I’m especially passionate about working with women and LGBTQ+ folks. I understand the unique challenges that come with navigating a world that doesn’t always make space for you, and I’m here to help you carve out a life that feels truly yours.
A Space Rooted in Body Neutrality
Since we all navigate life in our bodies and around food, these topics touch everyone. Your relationship with your body and food shouldn’t come with assumptions or conditions. That’s why I approach therapy with a body-neutral and fat-positive perspective. Here’s what that means:
I won’t make comments about your body—period. That includes “You look amazing,” “Good for you,” or anything else that puts your worth into how your body looks or changes.
I also won’t assign moral value to food. There’s no “good” or “bad” food here—just food.
But this is also your space, and that means you can talk honestly about your goals for yourself and your body, whatever they may be. While I won’t encourage or suggest weight loss, dieting, or body changes, I’m here to listen and support your experiences without judgment.
Your autonomy matters here. My role is to help you navigate what feels authentic and aligned for you, not what society—or anyone else—tells you is “right.”
What Makes My Approach Different
I use something called the SIP model—Somatic Integration and Processing—to guide our work. That’s just a fancy way of saying I look at how your mind, body, and emotions are all connected. This includes:
Attachment: How we connect to others and build relationships.
Somatic psychology: How emotions show up and are held in the body.
Adaptive information processing and memory reconsolidation: Techniques like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to help tough memories stop holding you back.
I also draw from tools like nonviolent communication, psychodynamic therapy, and polyvagal theory to help you navigate your world in a way that feels more aligned with who you are.
My approach isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s tailored to what you need.
What Working with Me Feels Like
I bring a mix of practical tools and deep insight to our work together.
Some days, we’ll focus on building skills to handle overwhelming emotions or difficult conversations.
Other days, we’ll dig into the root of why you feel stuck, looking at how your past and present connect.
I’m not here to judge you. I’m here to work with you, to challenge you when you need it, and to celebrate your wins—especially the tiny ones.
Because honestly? Growth is messy, but it’s also worth it.
What You Might Be Feeling
Do any of these sound familiar?
You’re stuck in a toxic relationship or caught up in old family dynamics, unsure how to break free.
Anxiety has taken over, making even small decisions feel impossible.
You’re on autopilot, going through the motions, wondering, “Is this all there is?”
Setting boundaries feels impossible, so you keep saying “yes” when your whole body is screaming “no.”
You’re questioning yourself, wondering if you might be the problem.
Let me tell you something important: It’s not just you. You’re not failing; you’re doing the best you can with the tools you have. But sometimes, you need new tools and a fresh perspective to create lasting change.
How I Can Help
In therapy, we’ll work together to figure out what’s keeping you stuck, break free from old patterns, and build the tools you need to move forward with confidence. Here’s how I do it:
Building Essential Skills: Sometimes, life feels harder than it needs to because we’re missing key tools—like regulating emotions, communicating effectively, or adapting when things don’t go as planned. Together, we’ll work on the skills that help you move forward.
Shifting Away from Shame: Shame can leave you stuck in “I’m bad” instead of “I made a mistake, and I can grow from it.” I’ll help you reframe those thoughts, so you can move toward self-compassion and accountability.
Getting to the Root: Instead of just putting out fires, we’ll address the deeper causes of what’s holding you back—unpacking patterns, emotions, and beliefs that no longer serve you.
Finding Perspective: If it feels like you’re stuck in a loop, I’ll help you see that it’s not a circle—it’s a spiral. Each time you face a challenge, you’re bringing more wisdom and growth to the table. You’re not stuck; you’re evolving.
Creating Tailored Action Plans: Together, we’ll create a personalized mix of actionable tools, skills-building, and deeper exploration of patterns in your thoughts, emotions, and body.
Mistakes are part of being human
You’ll make mistakes—we all do. But mistakes don’t define you. What matters is how you respond to them.
Together, we’ll work to replace shame spirals with curiosity, so you can take accountability, repair, and build stronger connections. You don’t have to be perfect to live a life you’re proud of. You just have to be open to growth.
A Little Bit About Non-Therapist Me
When I’m not in Kim O’Brien, therapist mode, I’m just a human who loves travel and, can get overwhelmed easily. Who enjoys spending time with lovely humans but needs lots of alone time. Here are a few things about me:
I’m queer and share my life with my sweet wife and our dog, Ellie.
I’m obsessed with shows from Expedition Bigfoot to Heartstopper—my interests range from cryptids to heartfelt coming-of-age stories.
Crocheting is my go-to for relaxation. There’s something satisfying about turning a ball of yarn into something tangible and beautiful.
My current comfort movies are My Old Ass and Harry Potter.
Traveling is one of my favorite things. I love exploring new places and taking it all in.
I have celiac, so I’m always on the lookout for delicious gluten-free options wherever I go.
I believe life is all about connection—whether it’s with people, places, or even hobbies that make life worth living.
Here’s What I Believe
You’re not broken, and you don’t need to be “fixed.” Therapy is about:
Understanding yourself,
Building the skills you need, and
Learning to trust your own instincts again.
Change isn’t about perfection—it’s about creating a life that feels aligned with who you are and what matters to you.
Training & Education
Here’s the CliffsNotes version, but if you’re curious about all the formal details—my education, training, and professional experience—you can check out my full CV here —> Kim O’Brien.
EDUCATION
University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA
Masters of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling
Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, MA
Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology
LICENSURE
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Massachusetts: #10979
TLHT Licensed Mental Health Counselor (out-of-state telehealth provider) Florida: TPMC5485
TRAININGS (for full list see Kim O’Brien CV)
EMDR Certification (In Progress)
Beyond Healing Institute
Somatic Integration and Processing I
Beyond Healing Institute
EMDR 50-hour Basic Training
Trauma Therapist Institute (formerly Kase & CO)
Ready to Get Unstuck?
Let’s talk. Together, we’ll figure out what’s holding you back and take the steps to build a life that feels good to live.