Offer: Free 15 min telephone consultation to see if I am the right therapist for you.
Dr Charlotte O'Brien HCPC Registered Counselling Psychologist
Supporting your mental health journey with warmth and care.
Oak Tree Therapy Leeds
Oak Tree Therapy Leeds is dedicated to providing high-quality psychological therapy services to our clients. As an HCPC Registered Counselling Psychologist I have years of professional experience in helping individuals to overcome a wide range of mental health challenges. I offer a warm, safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment where you can explore your thoughts and feelings and work towards a happier, healthier life. Contact me today to schedule a free 15 minute telephone consultation and take the first step towards a brighter tomorrow.
About Dr Charlotte O'Brien
A Very Warm Welcome
My name is Dr Charlotte O'Brien (she/her) and I am an HCPC Registered Counselling Psychologist and BACP Registered Psychotherapist.
I am an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society and have been working in therapeutic practice since 2015. I have worked with clients in various settings such as the NHS Community Mental Health Team and Cancer Service, Private Practice with Adults and Children, the Young Offenders Institution with 15-18 year old boys, and in third sector and charitable settings such as MIND and Wellspring Therapy.
I am also an author, researcher and educator having taught on the doctoral training programmes at the University of Manchester and York St John University and hold a PGCHE teaching qualification. I am a British Psychological Society RAPPS registered clinical supervisor and currently supervise doctoral trainees.
You can rest assured that you are being supported by a fully qualified psychological practitioner.
Here is a full list of my qualifications:
Doctorate in Counselling Psychology (DCounsPsych - York St John University)
Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy (PG Dip - Leeds Beckett University; Dean's Award for Excellence)
Post Graduate Certificate in Interpersonal and Counselling Skills (PG Cert - Leeds Beckett University)
Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE - Falmouth University)
Pre Medicine Qualification (Pre Med - University of Sheffield)
BSc (hons) Psychology (BSc hons - University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne)
As well as working as a Counselling Psychologist I am a busy Mum of two teenagers and enjoy getting out into nature for long walks, cooking, seeing friends, and curling up with a good book or movie!
Why Choose A Counselling Psychologist?
Why Choose a Counselling Psychologist?
Trying to find the right practitioner can often seem like a minefield. When you are feeling distressed one of the most important thing is to know that you are in safe hands. Being a Counselling Psychologist means that I hold an undergraduate degree and have then gone on to study at doctoral level (qualifying me to use the title of 'Doctor') which is the highest level of qualification for a psychological practitioner.
During my doctoral training I have gained over 450 hours of therapeutic experience across a diversity of mental health care settings. I have passed exams in modules such as counselling skills, ethical and professional practice, challenging oppression discrimination and inequality, and and working with different therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and the Person-Centred Approach. I have also written and published a doctoral thesis on embodied trauma which is my specialist area of interest.
Counselling Psychologists are chartered psychologists that deal with a wide range of mental health problems concerning life issues including bereavement, domestic violence, sexual abuse, trauma and relationship issues.
They understand diagnosis and the medical context to mental health problems and work with the individual's unique subjective psychological experience to empower their recovery and alleviate distress.
Counselling psychologists are a relatively new breed of professional applied psychologists concerned with the integration of psychological theory and research with therapeutic practice.
The practice of counselling psychology requires a high level of self-awareness and competence in relating the skills and knowledge of personal and interpersonal dynamics to the therapeutic context.
You can read more about the differences between counsellors, psychotherapists and psychologists here:
My Approach to Psychological Therapy
My Approach to Psychological Therapy
I am a humanistic practitioner which means that I believe in each individual's ability to work towards positive mental health changes when provided with a strong and empathic therapeutic relationship and the right conditions to flourish.
My aim is always to offer you a warm, empathic and supportive therapeutic relationship in which you can safely and openly explore your difficulties and collaboratively find a way forward.
I help clients to identify their goals and develop a customized treatment plan. I am an integrative practitioner, meaning that I will tailor the therapy to suit your needs drawing on a range of modalities.
The approaches or 'modalities' that I work with in include:
Person-Centred Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Compassion Focussed Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Psychodynamically Informed Therapy
Transactional Analysis
You may have a specific approach that you would like to use (or experiences of ones that you do not like). Or may wish to collaborate together on finding out what works best for you with some guidance from me. There is no expectation for you to know which modality that you would like to use with before starting therapy.
Reasons for Seeking Psychological Therapy
Why People Come to See Me
People come to see me for many different reasons which impact their mental health and wellbeing such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Low mood
- Trauma and (c)PTSD
- Sexual or relationship problems
- Work difficulties
- Stress
- Grief and loss
- Low self esteem
- Physical health problems
- Religious and spiritual difficulties
There is no right or wrong reason to enter into therapy. It is a truly transformative and growthful process for all types of difficulties that impact your mental health. Whatever your reason for seeking a therapist, I would encourage you to reach out to see if I am the right practitioner for you.
My Services & Ways of Working
Personally Tailored Psychological Therapy
I offer one-to-one psychological therapy for adults and young people aged 16 years old and over, online, via telephone or in person.
I work out of my home in North Leeds from a dedicated therapy room on the ground floor of a detached house. Clients find this a peaceful and private setting at the end of a cul-de-sac with off street private parking at no cost.
Please get in touch if you are a wheelchair user to make sure my property suits your needs.
I also provide psychological therapy online or via telephone for clients who prefer to be in their own space.
I am a culturally informed practitioner and aim to get to know you as a person, including your cultural background and heritage, so that I can provide the best possible anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive therapeutic experience for you.
Accreditations and Insurance Companies
Announcement
Thank you for visiting my website. I hope to be back again in September!