Dr. Courtney O'Brien, PhD.

Dr. Courtney O'Brien, PhD. Dr. O'Brien specializes in areas of therapy common to depression, sexuality, addiction, and anxiety.

As a Mental Health Professional, Dr. Courtney O’Brien specializes in treating anxiety, depression and sexual issues within relationships. Sexual addiction is a specialty specific to O’Brien’s practice and encompasses range of behaviors. She also offers sexual health therapy, discussing with individuals the emotional and physical factors associated with intimacy, sexual issues and how to surpass th

ese difficulties to achieve a healthy sexual lifestyle and communications. Family, individual and couples counseling is also available. O’Brien takes a multidimensional approach to healing before resorting to medication when possible. O’Brien says, “Less invasive forms of therapy such as exercise, nutrition and therapies directed toward behavior modification can often help meet the needs of a client’s therapeutic goals.” She provides guidance and the tools for individuals, ages 18 and older, to facilitate a healthier mental and physical growth opportunity. The services are based on understanding one’s symptoms and finding the best method of treatment to help promote growth and provide relief.

04/06/2020

We are currently taking phone and video sessions if needed. Please call and set up a time for a session with Dr. Courtney O'Brien. 918-794-0570.

04/06/2020

Hope:
Hope is one of the most important things to embrace during times of tragedy, or when we are struggling with a challenge that seems impossible. Instead of focusing on fear, we must turn the circumstance of challenge into a time of opportunity. Currently, we are in a position to deep clean our minds, and sanitize emotional spaces that have prevented us from embracing health within ourselves, and with those whom we share our space. Literally and figuratively, we are being forced to confront hardships, fix relationships, and accept that emotional isolation is damaging. In times of internal and external conflict, we should recognize that physical and emotional distancing ourselves from those we love can be toxic, while destroying our chances at happiness. Masking is rarely helpful; address fear thru hope instead of despair.

03/26/2020

Fight or Flight:
Adapting to a New Normal
Many of you are familiar with the concept the "Fight or Flight" response. If you are not, it's your survival instincts that are automatically triggered by fear or threat. It's your ability to know what to do to survive in spite perceived harm. On that premise, most of you are dealing with the "shock" of our public health crisis, and reacting to the residual effects of the leftover fog in your space. Now is a perfect time to look into yourself and address the things you have put off in the past. This means: Face your past; Make the changes needed to leave the past behind. Clean up the mental messes that have prevented forward thinking; Stop negative self-talk. Be at peace; sit alone and pray. Don't self-sabotage; This is never your fault. Love those around you; Forgive. Lastly, accept that "Fight" sometimes means "Flight"; Don't stay in a midst of danger--get out of its way. Fear doesn't have to control your life. You can use this time to clear the fog.
The past is not ours to change, but the future is ours to own.--Dr. O'Brien

09/28/2018

The Paradox of the “Me Too Movement”
As a culture (obsessed with) the topic of emotional, and psychological abuse of power, it is easy to see the roots of “The Me Too” movement unfold into a vacuum of dissention and divide between the genders. This has become a fanatical topic of privilege bordering on what now appears to be warfare. Our society is watching men and women fight for their own truths of what defines a “real” abuse of power, s*xual consent, and fairness; This only scratches the surface of topics inherent in this battle. What creates these tornadic feelings and actions of cruelty (from BOTH genders) that lead to hate and a plea for justice? The desire for respect, power, control, a need for approval, adoration, self-righteousness, and/or entitlement? All of the above-mentioned
The abuse of power, need for approval, and desire to have love, respect, and success, is learned in one’s childhood, and manifests as such throughout adulthood. If a parent is lacking in showing approval and support, it is likely the child will form unhealthy attachments as an adult, and seek validation through unhealthy people or behaviors. Those who grew up with a poor attachment to their parents have a much harder time developing physical and emotional boundaries of any kind as adults. This makes it difficult to respect other’s views and invest emotionally in an intimate relationship. This is also true for those who grew up with hurtful or negligent parents. These adult children need to understand that pleasing others who are similar to their parents will not bring them the love, success, and the support they need.
Behavior is divine in its own right insofar as our social, emotional, and developmental experiences cultivate personal growth; it is how we attach meaning to people, receive approval, assign boundaries to relational intimacy, and how we build a framework of self-acceptance. Moreover, it’s how we build a value system of morality.
Consider all aspects of the “me too” movement and determine if it applies to you. If so, reach out and get professional help.
-Dr. Courtney O’Brien, PHD, LPC. (918) 794-0570
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06/12/2018

Su***de : A Silent Pain

People who've survived su***de attempts have reported wanting not so much to die as to stop living; a strange dichotomy, but true. They feel stuck or paralyzed by emotional pain and are convinced that no one could understand. The embarrassment or shame of weakness is also a factor. This can be seen more than ever by Hollywood’s surge of actors and actresses taking their own lives. When people are asked to self-reflect, they describe trauma, fears of failure, judgment, and/or anxiety to say the least. With this said, trying to better understand depression and anxiety is critical to stopping su***de. Dispelling the shame of such struggles is also paramount to successfully helping these people who are in pain!
Please call my office and make an appointment to see me if you need help. 918-794-0570

05/14/2018

Emotion, Intimacy, and S*x

All s*x has an emotional component to it regardless of its foundation. Desire, attachment, or detachment all bring emotions to the act of s*x and fulfill emotional needs at the given time. While intimate detachment can feel like emotional punishment or withholding love, healthy attachment feels safe and brings s*xual closeness.

Emotional Deprivation - Emotional Self-preservation
This is when both partners are unwilling to take an active role in their partnership. They are (starving the marriage by way of starving the other of needs). This may be seen in one or both withholding emotional and verbal communication. Each person is ultimately denying the other of love and attention, while paradoxically longing for their partner to reach out but “go first.” Ultimately, neither is willing to put fuel in the engine for fear it will blow up - It’s askin to playing “Chicken” at a yellow light waiting for it to turn green; No one is willing to take the first move.

02/01/2018

DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS:
The number one buyer of p**n is the American white male. Men are 543% more likely to look at p**n than females. “Why?” Because p**nography is crafted in ways that can make men feel important and powerful. The art of seduction can make the male feel worthy of love, capable, and successful all at the same time.These men may be lonely, have a broken marriage, suffer from low self/esteem, or be in recovery from another addiction .
Unfortunately, in most cases, they are suffering in silence — guilt, embarrassment, and shame can inhibit the courage to ask for help. Over time, hiding, deception, and pain leads to more pain, secrets, and S*x Addiction.

01/25/2018

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A NARCISSIST AND A SOCIAOPATH?

There is a clear reason why narcissists and sociopaths get confused by those who believe they may be involved with one or the other. This is because they share some features – Note: Sociopaths are Narcissistic but Narcissists are not Sociopaths. This is the biggest district ion of all and why one “must” fully understand what a Sociopath looks and feels like as opposed to the Narcissist. Yes, some motivations and behaviors, some elements of their personalities are very different. Regardless, it is imperative to understand the differences. To begin, a Narcissist is not always a social threat. To the contrary, the Sociopath is a social threat most of the time. Both are adept at chameleonic behaviors, mirroring others, and crafting their stories to please specific listeners; however, a Sociopath may abut closer to the edge of credibility somehow managing to get you to question yourself rather than the fantastic story. A Narcissist will talk about himself; a Sociopath will get you to talk about you to lure you into their web. Both have an allure, charm and use their charisma in different self-serving ways; A Narcissist will introduce topics of interest or concern to himself in an effort to boast or feel important - a Sociopath will introduce topics of interest to you tricking you into believing they are interested and a trusted friend. A Narcissist wants to be admired; a Sociopath wants to be perceived in whatever way best will suit his purpose. Both ignore social constructs, but the Narcissist does it out of a complete lack of awareness --This is a form of social and emotional retardation in which the Narcissist’s ego is that of a child who is seeking approval. The Sociopath knowing does it to manipulate situations for his own gain, even at the risk of endangering those close to him. Both lack empathy, however Narcissists are unable to see things from another’s point of view oftentimes resulting in endless arguments, tantrums, and blame; Sociopaths can see how they affect others but just don’t care—conceding to apologize only heightens their efforts to attack and pulling no punches. If you are interested in learning more about the person or persons who may be one of these two, read, “The Sociopath Next-Door: The Ruthless Verses the Rest of Us,” by Martha Stout, PhD.

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Tulsa, OK
74104

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 6:30pm
Tuesday 7am - 6:30pm
Wednesday 7am - 6:30pm
Thursday 7am - 6:30pm
Friday 7am - 6:30pm

Telephone

(918) 794-0570

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