about.
my story.
“The best way we can show up for ourselves is to know and live our truths every single day.”
Hi. I’m Dr. Janine O’Brien.
You know that feeling that something isn’t right or that you just don’t feel like yourself? I have known that feeling too.
I grew up in a town and environment where I didn't necessarily fit in. I was one of the only Asian kids in a predominantly white community. Throw on top of that, I spent a lot of time introspecting and relating more to the adults around me than my peers. To be honest, I was spending most of my time trying to remain under the radar, which didn’t exactly allow for me to actually BE who I was out in the world.
I spent so many of my early years doing anything I could to feel like I belonged, which meant disowning and disconnecting from many aspects of myself, often through people-pleasing. I began to feel so disconnected from myself and the world around me as I moved farther away from a space that was authentic and true for me.
These experiences eventually led me into therapy.
Prior to being in therapy, I had no idea what therapy was or how it could help. What I found was that it provided me a space where I was able to be truly myself as messy, complex, and beautiful as that was and provided me one of the first experiences where another person was attuned and accepting of all parts of me.
My experiences in the world along with my experiences in therapy sparked a desire in me to want to provide a similar space for others. A space where women can safely explore their cultural and intersecting identities, gain a deeper understanding of their anxieties, and not only be who they are fully, but also embrace it.
Are you ready to work with a therapist who truly gets the pressure of performing, people-pleasing, and navigating cultural expectations? I’d love to support you.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.”
my approach &
philosophy.
As humans, we have an innate drive towards connection (to others, our world, and ourselves). We have the desire and need to be fully seen, heard, and accepted. At different times in life, we may find that we are disconnected in some way. This may show up as anxiety (people-pleasing, perfectionism, overfunctioning, hyperindependence, etc.), mood concerns, relationship concerns, work stress, or physical pains (just to name a few).
Simultaneously, when disconnection occurs (either periodically or chronically), it is often difficult for us as humans to reach out for support as it poses a risk to our very sense of connection. That’s where therapy and our work together comes into the picture.
Therapy provides a space to explore, process, and understand where you have come from and how experiences/identities/worldviews have influenced where you are at currently along with the disconnections you are experiencing. With increased understanding and connection, you will be able to more effectively and authentically move through your world.
In Therapy with Me!
What you can expect in therapy with me: I bring compassion, authenticity, empathy, and the occasional "F" or "S" bomb into the therapy space. We will work together to create a space that is unique and authentic to you, your journey, and our therapeutic relationship.
My commitment to you is that I will do my very best to meet you where you are at.
I work best with clients who are motivated and interested in putting in the work to gaining a deeper understanding of themselves, their patterns, and their worlds (inside of AND outside of therapy sessions). It is my belief that with increased and deeper understanding, there will be an opening to accept, let go of, change and shift the patterns and beliefs that are no longer serving you.