Kim O’Brien, LMHC, LLC

05/12/2025

Hey, I’m Kim! 👋

I specialize in helping folks navigate anxiety, relationship issues, self-doubt, and overwhelm. Using tools like EMDR therapy, I help you process difficult experiences and break free from the thoughts and feelings that keep holding you back. I also provide affirming therapy for LGBTQ+ folks navigating identity, connection, and a world that can keep you on guard.

My approach? I believe growth happens when you feel understood—without judgment or pressure. Some days, that means building practical tools to help with anxiety, communication, and boundaries. Other days, it means digging deeper to understand what’s keeping you stuck. Either way, I meet you where you are.

Individual therapy for relationship issues, anxiety, EMDR, and LGBTQ+ adults. Therapy in Boston, Massachusetts, and Florida. Reach out today to schedule!

05/09/2025

You can be kind to yourself and still want to grow.

Growth doesn’t have to come from harsh self-criticism or pushing yourself past your limits. It can come from rest. From self-compassion. From choosing to speak to yourself the way you’d speak to someone you love.

What if you didn’t have to be hard on yourself to get better? What if kindness was the most powerful fuel for change?

You’re allowed to be both healing and whole. 🌿

05/08/2025

Emotions or logic? The truth is, we kind of need both.

In DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), we talk about the three states of mind:

🩷 Emotion Mind – where feelings are in the driver’s seat. It can lead to impulsive decisions, emotional overwhelm, or reacting in ways you later regret.

💙 Reasonable Mind – where logic rules all. It can seem “safe,” but it may lead to disconnection from your emotions, difficulty relating to others, or feeling emotionally numb.

💜 Wise Mind – the middle path. It’s where your head and heart work together. It helps you respond instead of react, and act in ways that align with your values.

The goal isn’t to avoid emotion or overthink everything—it’s to honor both sides and find that deeper inner knowing.

Try asking:
“What would my wise mind say right now?”
“What do I feel and what do I know?”

You don’t have to choose between your feelings and facts. You’re allowed to hold both. 💫

05/07/2025

Anxiety doesn’t always “look” like anxiety.

Sometimes it shows up as…

Stomach aches that won’t go away
Feeling distracted, irritable, or overwhelmed
Insomnia or avoiding things that feel “too much”

Anxiety can weave its way through your day in sneaky, exhausting ways. You might think you’re just stressed, grumpy, or unfocused—but underneath, your nervous system might be stuck in overdrive trying to keep you “safe.”

You’re doing your best with what your brain and body are carrying.

The more we can recognize how anxiety shows up in us, the more compassion and clarity we can bring to those moments.

Which of these have you noticed in yourself lately?

05/06/2025

You can’t control everything… but you can control how you care for yourself through it.

This gentle reminder can be powerful—especially when your mind is spinning with what-ifs, overthinking every interaction, or trying to manage how others feel.

When we get stuck trying to control things outside of us—like other people’s reactions, the past, or what might happen—it fuels anxiety, frustration, and self-doubt.

But when we shift our focus to what is in our control—our boundaries, our thoughts, our effort—it creates space for clarity and empowerment.

Therapy can help you untangle what’s yours to carry and what you can let go of. You don’t have to do it all—and you don’t have to do it alone.

What’s one thing you’re choosing to let go of this week?

05/05/2025

Feeling overwhelmed? Anxious? Tense for no obvious reason?

Box breathing is a simple but powerful grounding tool that helps regulate your nervous system in moments of stress. And all you need is your breath.

Here’s how to do it: 🔲 Inhale for 4 🔲 Hold for 4 🔲 Exhale for 4 🔲 Hold for 4
Repeat as needed (even just a few rounds can make a difference).

It’s a go-to strategy during anxiety, panic, or even just a hectic day. You’re not doing it wrong if your thoughts are still busy—keep breathing and let your body catch up to your calm.

Have you tried box breathing before? Let me know what helps you feel grounded

05/02/2025

Boundaries don’t have to be harsh to be clear.

They can sound calm, kind, and direct. Sometimes they’re a full sentence. Sometimes they’re just one word: “No.” And that’s enough.

Setting boundaries doesn’t mean you’re selfish—it means you’re self-aware. It’s how we protect our energy and our relationships.

If saying things like “I can only stay an hour” or “That doesn’t work for me” feels hard—you're not alone. It takes practice, but it’s worth it.

🌱 Boundaries are a form of self-respect—and they teach others how to treat us.

Which one of these feels hardest for you to say? 👇

05/01/2025

Your heart starts racing. You’re dizzy, shaky, maybe even convinced something is really wrong.

But here’s what’s actually happening during a panic attack

Your brain senses a threat—even when there isn’t one. It triggers your body’s fight-or-flight response, flooding you with adrenaline and other stress hormones. Your body goes into survival mode, trying to protect you from danger… even though you’re safe.

This is why panic attacks feel so intense: your body is responding like you're in danger, even when you're not. You're not "crazy," and you're definitely not alone.

You might feel like you're losing control, but the truth is: you’re having a very intense, very human stress response. And it will pass.

Understanding what’s happening can make a big difference. The more we can name it, the more we can ground ourselves and ride the wave instead of getting pulled under.

04/30/2025

Ever zoned out during a meeting? Found yourself driving on autopilot? Or felt completely disconnected from yourself after something stressful?

That’s dissociation—and it exists on a spectrum.

From everyday experiences like daydreaming and zoning out, to trauma responses like depersonalization, derealization, and dissociative disorders… dissociation is more common than you might think.

But because it’s often misunderstood—or dramatized in media—it can be hard to recognize or talk about.

Dissociation isn’t a flaw or weakness. It’s your brain’s way of protecting you when something feels overwhelming, scary, or just too much. Some forms are brief and harmless. Others can be deeply distressing and may need more support.

You’re not broken. Your brain is doing what it learned to do to survive.

04/29/2025

🌿 Feeling overwhelmed? Anxious? On the edge of a panic attack?

Try this grounding technique to help anchor yourself back to the present moment

🖐 5 things you can see
👂 4 things you can hear
✋ 3 things you can feel
👃 2 things you can smell
👅 1 thing you can taste

When anxiety takes over, your brain often leaves the present and jumps straight into fear, panic, or worst-case scenarios. This simple sensory exercise helps interrupt that spiral and bring your nervous system back to safety.

Tuning into your senses reminds your brain: I’m here. I’m okay. I can ride this wave.

✨ It’s especially helpful during panic attacks, grounding you in your body when everything feels out of control.

Save this as a tool for the tough moments—you deserve support like this. 💛

04/28/2025

Depression doesn’t always look like lying in bed all day. Sometimes it’s feeling like a burden. Thinking you’re not enough. Struggling to remember things or skipping meals because eating feels like too much.

These quieter signs of depression are just as real and just as valid.

💙 If this image feels a little too familiar—know that you’re not alone. You’re not broken. And there is help and healing available.

Sometimes, putting your feelings into words is the first step toward feeling a little more seen.

You matter. Even when your brain tells you otherwise.

04/25/2025

🪨 Ever heard of the Grey Rock Method?

If you're dealing with someone who thrives on drama, manipulation, or emotional chaos—this strategy might be a helpful boundary tool.

The idea? Make yourself as boring and unengaging as a grey rock. This isn’t about being rude—it’s about protecting your peace in situations where engaging only fuels the fire.

Keep responses short
Stay neutral and unemotional
Don’t give them anything to latch onto
Disengage when you can

This method can be especially helpful when interacting with toxic or emotionally draining people, where direct confrontation isn’t safe or productive.

Have you ever used the Grey Rock Method? Tell us in the comments—or just leave a 🪨 to say “same.”