Peter O'Brien

I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who works with adults navigating anxiety, relationship concerns, life transitions, and feeling stuck or overwhelmed. Many of my clients are thoughtful people who are functioning on the outside but privately struggling with worry, self-doubt, or patterns they can’t quite change.

My approach is collaborative and conversational. I don’t believe therapy should feel like an evaluation or a lecture — it should feel like a place where you can speak openly and think clearly about your life. Together we slow things down, understand what’s happening beneath reactions and habits, and develop practical ways forward.

I completed my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at UMass Boston and have worked with individuals across a range of settings. Originally trained and practicing in Australia, I bring a grounded and pragmatic perspective to therapy while respecting each person’s individual values and goals.

I tend to work well with clients who want insight as well as change — not just coping strategies, but a clearer understanding of themselves and their relationships.

My approach is collaborative, reflective, and practical. I see therapy as a space where we slow things down and make sense of patterns — not just managing symptoms, but understanding why certain reactions, worries, or relationship dynamics keep repeating.

I’m an active therapist. I ask questions, notice themes, and help connect present difficulties with underlying thoughts, emotions, and expectations. At the same time, sessions are conversational rather than scripted. We focus on what feels most important to you and work toward changes that are realistic and sustainable in daily life.

I integrate elements of insight-oriented therapy with practical strategies for anxiety, overthinking, and emotional regulation. Many clients come in wanting tools, and we do develop them — but often lasting relief comes from understanding yourself differently, not just coping harder.

I aim to create a steady, non-judgmental environment where you can speak honestly, including about topics you may not discuss elsewhere. Therapy moves at a thoughtful pace, with the goal of building clarity, confidence, and better relationships with yourself and others.

The first session is primarily a conversation, not evaluation. My goal is to understand what has been bringing you in now and what you hope might feel different in your life.

You won’t need to prepare anything or share more than you’re comfortable with. We’ll talk about what has been difficult recently, any patterns you’ve noticed, and what you’ve already tried. I may ask some background questions to get context, but we move at a pace that feels manageable.

By the end of the session, most clients have a clearer sense of what’s happening, how therapy could help, and whether working together feels like a good fit. We usually identify a few initial goals — often reducing anxiety, improving communication in relationships, or getting unstuck from recurring thoughts or behaviors.

I aim to create a calm, respectful environment where you can speak openly and think things through without pressure. You do not need to have everything figured out before starting therapy — part of the work is helping you clarify what you’re actually needing.