Maureen O'Donnell

Hi, I'm Maureen (she/her), and I’m a licensed professional counselor with more than two decades of experience supporting clients with toxic parent recovery, narcissistic abuse recovery, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and life transitions. I often see folks who appear successful on the outside but are struggling inside. I advocate for people who are starting something new and scary or leaving behind something painful. Whatever it is you are looking to unload, I offer a warm and validating space to explore what you’ve been carrying.

I hold a master’s degree in counseling and have worked in hospital systems, outpatient clinics, and university counseling centers. I work with adults and college students to better understand patterns and survival instincts. When I'm not working, I'm usually exercising in some way, spending time outside, or playing music.

My approach is trauma informed, collaborative, and grounded in building a sense of safety and trust. I utilize trauma informed CBT, ACT, and psychodynamic approaches, along with using polyvagal theory to explore somatic reactions. Together, we focus on understanding patterns, exploring your experiences at a pace that feels manageable while also pushing when it seems right. I also focus on how your nervous system reacts to crisis, increasing understanding and coping with reactions. I aim to create a space where you feel supported and in control of your process, with our work centered on meaningful, lasting change.

We'll need a bit of time to build comfort and trust. I'll ask about the issues that have you seeking counseling at this time, also looking for context and strengths. We'll work on developing goals that you have for counseling. My approach is collaborative and grounded in building a sense of safety and trust. I have a lot of fidgets in my office and enjoy using creative arts in my work.