Maureen A. O’Donnell, MA

Depression and Anxiety

Depression often coincides with anxiety. Nearly everyone will experience depression sometime in their life. If you are feeling hopelessness, despair, anger, or lack motivation, you are probably suffering from depression. Excessive worry and fears are signs of anxiety. We will work together to determine the underlying cause and solution.

Transitions/Adjustments/Loss

Transitions and change are a natural part of life. They can also be painful and stressful. Transitions, however, often hold the promise of growth. I help clients by exploring the potential for growth while holding the pain and stress that may go with it. For the midlife transition, I offer Clarity and Transformation at Midlife, a group for women seeking insight and direction for the second half of life.

Adjusting to a new job, relationship, or limitation tests our strength and resolve. Moving from resistance to acceptance to empowerment can allow for growth and renewal.

Loss can be deeply felt and often out of our control. Experiencing loss often leads to feelings of grief. Grief is a natural process, not something to avoid. Blame, shame, and depression come from being unable to express grief properly. Positive expressions of grief are healing. Together, we will explore healthy ways to express your grief.

Relationships

The relationships in our lives are full of joy and conflict. All relationships will cycle through good times and bad times. Learning about oneself and the other is critical to successful relationships. Negotiating, compromising, and understanding are key ingredients in navigating the relationships in your life. I specialize in mother/daughter and spousal/intimate relationships.

Teen Girl Issues

Adolescence is a time for growth, identity, and experiencing. Many teen girls experience some period of confusion, depression, and overwhelming feelings. Some girls turn towards unhealthy coping strategies such as self-harm (i.e., cutting) and eating disorders. I help teen girls to “unpack” their feelings, and get under the surface of their anger, anxiety, and self-consciousness. Together we devise healthy coping strategies that they can use well into adulthood. click here to view my “10 Ways to Help Your Daughter Love Her Body”.

Recovery From Childhood Abuse and Trauma

When there has been significant neglect and/or abuse in childhood, a sense of safety and self needs to occur to heal from this early trauma. Symptoms of this sort of trauma can include: panic attacks, anxiety, hyper-vigilance, anger, depression, and disassociation. Psychotherapy can help in healing by providing a safe place to recover the lost sense of self and safety.

Childhood Fears/Anxieties/Adjustments

I see children age 6 and older who are experiencing emotional and behavioral difficulties. Many times children will let supportive adults know when they feel troubled by their behavior. Children express their feelings, thoughts, and fears through play. Play therapy allows children to process internal conflicts within a safe environment. When working with children, I incorporate sessions with parents to facilitate a well-rounded strategy for success.

Parenting and Divorce

I assist parents in developing the best possible relationship with their children. I provide information on child and adolescent development and work with parents and children on behavioral contracts. To view my brochure: “Seven Principles of Conscious Parenting”, click here.

When divorce is inevitable, I help foster the parent/child bond, so that children can more easily move through the divorce transition. I provide guidance for parents when negotiating a post-divorce parenting agreement. See my website page Collaborative Practice, to learn more about a divorce process that supports the whole system while attending to the emotional needs of the individuals involved, with no court involvement.

Creative Therapy

Creative Therapy is the process of working through psychological issues through creative expression. The creative process is a bridge between your inner world and the outer world. It is a channel to the unconscious. As an alternative to “talk therapy”, I offer creative therapy. At times, words cannot express the trauma, the feelings, or the inner process. Being creative, or “at play” releases tensions, anxieties, and frustrations. To facilitate your creative play, I offer guidance/supplies in:

• SandPlay
• Dream/Symbolism/Archetypal Exploration
• Active Imagination
• Guided Imagery
• Painting, Drawing, Clay
• Collage