Get to know

Erin O’Brien, LPC, LBC-DBT

DBT Therapist in Pennsylvania, Delaware & Virginia

If you’ve landed here, chances are you’ve been struggling for a long time and you’re probably tired of being told to “just cope better,” “try harder,” or “be more positive.” You may feel overwhelmed by your emotions, stuck in painful relationship patterns, or exhausted by cycles of intensity, shame, and burnout. If that sounds familiar, you’re not too much and you’re not doomed to feel this way forever. In my therapy practice we believe people are trying hard and can learn new ways to get better results.

Ready to meet?

I’ve been in therapy since I was 19 years old

When I was growing up, I was a parentified child which means I took on adult responsibilities before I could drive a car. I was overly cautious, responsible and a rule follower. I was quiet which was reflected in nearly every report card in which the teacher would scrawl “she needs to speak up more”. That would have been a nearly impossible feat because I wasn’t quiet because I was shy, I was quiet because I was exhausted. Exhausted from trying to manage my role in a chaotic family in which I was a confidant to my parents, helping to care for my little sister, and being the peacemaker which essentially meant I was a tiny therapist in training.

Things changed when I went to college to study fine arts. I was living on campus and had my first taste of freedom from my family role. This led to partying and my first experiences with self-harm when the noise of my life caught up with me. This was also the first time I went to therapy and that is really the start of my story.

It was in therapy where I finally could just be me and focus on only me. In therapy I was understood, respected, and validated. My therapist, Jean, gave me the tools to start repairing and healing myself. She also recommended I join a DBT Skills Group which is where I came to learn and know DBT and now I am here, teaching others the DBT tools.

I’m Erin O’Brien, a licensed professional counselor and Linehan Board Certified DBT therapist, and I specialize in working with adults who experience intense emotions, chronic invalidation, relationship instability, and symptoms often associated with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) isn’t just something I practice—it’s something I deeply believe in, both professionally and personally.

My Approach to Comprehensive DBT Treatment

My style is warm, direct, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based care. I believe therapy should feel human, not clinical or performative. You don’t need to impress me, educate me, or convince me that your pain is real because I already believe you.

At the same time, I won’t just nod sympathetically and send you on your way. DBT is an active, skills-based treatment, and meaningful change requires practice, accountability, and structure. In our work together, we focus on helping you:

In our work together, we focus on helping you:

  • Together we will learn not just about emotions, but learn about your emotions. We will identify why your emotions feel so intense.

  • You might not be aware of which behaviors are keeping you stuck so together we will work on identifying your patterns .

  • Aretha sang it best…R-E-S-P-E-C-T…perhaps you don’t find yourself singing that these days? Together, we will help you connect with your values and set manageable goals to work towards them. Part of self-respect is knowing what matters to you and how to align your actions with your values.

  • We are hard wired to seek out connection, even us introverts! Life is hard and even harder to do it alone. We will take stock of your relationships and identify which ones are important to you and how you might improve the connection. We will also identify new ways for you to. build new connections.

The Trauma Dump Podcast, Episode #12 What is DBT? October 1st, 2023

Humor is welcome here. So is honesty. Therapy doesn’t have to be sterile or overly serious to be effective, and I believe laughter and warmth are powerful tools for healing.

Credentials, Training, and DBT Certification

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and aLinehan Board Certified DBT therapist, the highest level of certification available in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. This certification reflects extensive training, consultation, and adherence to the DBT model as developed by Marsha Linehan. There are only 16 clinicians in the state of Pennsylvania with this certification and only close to 380 clincians in the entire United States.

I am licensed to provide telehealth therapy to adults in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia. I also provide DBT consultation, training, and supervision to other mental health professionals who want to practice DBT ethically and adherently.

Credentials matter, but how you feel in the therapy room matters more. My goal is for you to feel understood, challenged, supported, and respected.

I Work Best With Adults Who:

  • Experience intense or rapidly shifting emotions

  • Feel “too much” or “not enough” in relationships

  • Struggle with self-worth, shame, or chronic invalidation

  • Want practical tools—not just insight

  • Are willing to show up, practice skills, and engage in the process

Featured Podcast Episodes:

The Trauma Dump Podcast- Episode #12, “What is DBT?”, October 1st, 2023

The Trauma Dump Podcast- Episode #25, “Breaking Toxic Family Cycles”, December 31st, 2023

The Trauma Dump Podcast- Episode #70, “Identity & Community”, December 15th, 2024

The BPD Bravery Podcast- Episode #51, “DBT Skills and Radical Acceptance”, January 29th, 2024

When I’m not in my therapist role:

You might find me exploring new places and snapping pictures. I love doing anything creative and got into film photography a few years ago and taught myself how to develop film. I love planning trips around places I found to photograph! My other favorite creative endeavor is pottery. I love throwing clay!

My other favorite role is being an aunt. I like teaching my niece and nephew stuff and taking them to new activities like a trip we took to a falconry (yes, it very much felt like we were in a Harry Potter movie).

Some of my faves:

Place I’ve Traveled to: Monterey, California and specifically Big Sur

Film to Shoot With: Kodak Portra 400 and using my Nikon F80

Movie: Inception….or Ratatouille (I’m versatile)

Artist: Frida Khalo or Diane Arbus

Coffee Shop Order: Iced Vanilla Latte…..Decaf please!

Tattoo I have: this one is harder to choose since I have a half sleeve on my right arm but I would say the hourglass.

A Final Word

Starting therapy, especially DBT, can feel intimidating. Many people worry they’re “too much,” “too complicated,” or “beyond help.” I don’t believe that. I’ve seen real change happen, even when things feel hopeless.

If you’re looking for a therapist who understands both the science and the lived experience of emotional pain, and who will walk alongside you with warmth, structure, and honesty, I’d be honored to work with you.

When you’re ready, I invite you to reach out and schedule a consultation.

Contact Me