Kristin O'Brien, LCSW

Home
United States
Westport, CT
Kristin O'Brien, LCSW

Integrative Holistic Therapy. Helping you heal one session at a time; EMDR certified, IFS Informed and DBT. Mind~Body & Soul.

Offering in person in Westport, CT and Teletherapy.

01/07/2026

Stopping generational trauma doesn’t mean you hate where you came from.
It means you love yourself—and future generations—enough to choose differently.

It’s recognizing patterns that were normalized but never healthy.
It’s unlearning survival modes that once kept your family going but now keep you stuck.

Stopping generational trauma looks like:
• Setting boundaries where silence once lived
• Choosing healing over loyalty to pain
• Learning to regulate emotions instead of suppressing them
• Saying “this ends with me” without needing permission

It’s not easy work.
You’ll feel guilt. You’ll feel misunderstood. You may feel alone.

But healing was never meant to be convenient—it was meant to be transformational.

You are not breaking the family apart.
You are breaking the cycle.

And that is one of the bravest things you’ll ever do. 🙏🙏💕

www.kristinobrienlcsw.com

12/31/2025

✨ New Year. New beginning.

But not in the pressure-filled, “reinvent everything overnight” way.
A new year is simply an invitation.
An invitation to pause.
To reflect on what you’ve carried.
To release what no longer fits.
To step forward with a little more clarity, compassion, and courage than before.
New beginnings don’t require perfection.
They don’t erase the past-they build from it.
This year, may you choose progress over pressure.
Alignment over approval.
Peace over proving.
You don’t need a brand-new you-just a more honest, grounded, and self-connected version of who you already are.

Here’s to fresh starts, gentle growth, and becoming. Happy New Year 🙏🏻✨

Best wishes,
Kristin

12/17/2025

The holidays don’t feel the same for everyone.

For some, they bring joy, laughter, and full tables.
For others, they bring memories, missing seats, quiet moments, and emotions that don’t always have a name.

You can be grateful and sad.
You can love the season and feel overwhelmed.
You can show up smiling while still carrying heaviness inside.

If the holidays stir up loneliness, grief, anxiety, or exhaustion — you’re not broken. You’re human.

Give yourself permission to feel it all.
Rest when you need to.
Say no when your heart asks for space.
And remember: it’s okay if this season looks different than it used to. Create your own Joys!

You’re allowed to move through the holidays at your own pace.

🎄🎄🎄

Icsw
healing

11/19/2025

Very true… EMDR is so helpful in healing PTSD. Powerful 💪💪

11/18/2025

Your value doesn’t diminish just because someone couldn’t see it.
Read that slowly.

Not every person is meant to recognize your heart, your depth, your potential — and that’s okay.
Your worth was never meant to be validated by selective vision.

10/28/2025

💚 Let’s Talk About Green Flags 💚

We often hear about red flags — the warning signs that something isn’t right.
But just as important are the green flags — the signs that show safety, respect, and emotional health. 🌿

10/21/2025

✨ Are you affected by a narcissist?

According to the DSM, Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is marked by grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy, among other markers.

Common traits:
✨ Controlling
✨ Prone to narcissistic rage.
✨ Craves constant praise
✨ Feels “special” or superior
✨ Lacks empathy & avoids accountability
✨ Exploits or manipulates others
✨ Shows entitlement or arrogance

(Remember: someone can have narcissistic traits without full NPD.)

Protect your peace:
* Grey Rock Method — stay neutral, don’t engage
* Set boundaries
* Create distance when needed
* Accept they won’t change
* Seek support & fill your cup

⚠️ Only a licensed professional can diagnose NPD. Awareness = freedom

✨ Are you suffering from narcissistic abuse? Let’s talk. DM me to book a free fifteen minute consultation.

10/20/2025

✨ Energy Affects Energy ✨

Have you ever walked into a room and instantly felt the vibe — even before anyone spoke?
That’s energy.
And it’s powerful.

Be mindful! Energy is exchangeable!

We all carry energy within us — through our emotions, our tone, our presence. When we’re anxious, tense, or closed off, that energy can ripple outward. When we’re calm, grounded, and open, it invites others to meet us there.

Energy isn’t invisible magic — it’s connection.
It’s the way your nervous system responds to another person’s.
It’s why some people feel “safe” to be around, and others feel draining.

So before you walk into your next room, conversation, or interaction — take a moment to check in with your own energy.
Ask yourself:

What am I bringing into this space?
And what do I want others to feel from me?

.

10/10/2025

happy world mental health day!
today is the perfect day to celebrate the progress you've made, the struggles you've faced, and the mountains you've moved.
if you're early in your healing journey: keep going, keep sharing, and keep fighting. you deserve to feel better and to get help if you're struggling alone. you don't need to do this by yourself 💗

10/02/2025

✨Attachment Styles 101 ✨

We all connect differently—and it usually starts in childhood.

There are four main attachment styles, and each one shapes how we love, communicate, and handle closeness.

Swipe through to learn the basics and get curious about your own style. Awareness is the first step toward healing and healthier connections. 💛

09/18/2025

✨ A recent randomized controlled trial by Miccoli et al. (2024) found that EMDR therapy can significantly reduce symptoms—even when delivered remotely. During the COVID period, many services also turned to online EMDR and reported strong outcomes, further confirming its effectiveness in real-world practice.

The key takeaway: whether in person or remote, EMDR consistently helps people achieve meaningful improvements and greater stability. While some studies were brief or involved smaller groups, the evidence continues to highlight EMDR as a powerful and adaptable approach to healing.

✨DM me to schedule a free 15 minute consultation. For more info, click on the website link in my bio.

09/16/2025

✨ What is your mental health toolbox?

Here are a few simple ways to calm your mind and reconnect with yourself:

• Deep breathing – slow down and notice your breath rising and falling.
• Calming colors – picture your favorite soothing shade washing over you.
• Engage your senses – listen to music, look at the sky, or enjoy a calming scent.
• Time in nature – step outside, feel the fresh air, and ground yourself.
• Notice the moment – look around and really take in the details of your surroundings.
• Take a walk – movement clears the mind and shifts your energy.
• Count to 20 on your fingertips – a quick way to bring focus back.
• Butterfly hugs – cross your arms, tap your shoulders gently, and give yourself comfort.

✨ Your toolbox is unique to you—choose the practices that make you feel supported and safe.

👉 DM me for more info or to book a session.

Address

180 Post Road E
Westport, CT
06880

Website

http://www.kristinobrienlcsw.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Kristin O'Brien, LCSW posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Kristin O'Brien, LCSW:

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Westport?