Eileen OBrien Phelps

Eileen OBrien Phelps is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) with 28 years of practice helping people manage depression, stress, anxiety, and trauma. She draws on a long career to help clients name problems and take small steps forward. Her tone is encouraging and practical, with an emphasis on building confidence and using what already works in each person’s life.

She follows a person-centered approach, which means she treats clients as partners in the work and listens for what matters most to them. She also uses cognitive behavioral methods to spot unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors. EMDR is part of her toolkit for people coping with traumatic memories, and solution-focused strategies help set clear, achievable goals.

In sessions she helps people put together a simple, realistic plan tailored to their goals. That might mean practicing new ways to respond to stress, working on self-esteem, or finding steps to cope with big life changes. She often frames the work as strengthening existing skills rather than starting from scratch.

Her broader interests include adoption and foster care concerns, family-of-origin issues, first responder stress, grief, and challenges tied to prejudice or discrimination. She also addresses parenting strain, relationship problems, postpartum mood concerns, and seasonal mood shifts.

Eileen works in Florida and conducts therapy in English. If someone is wondering what to expect, she asks about the person’s goals first and then tailors the plan to fit those priorities. To begin, people complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule sessions based on therapist availability.

How chosen approaches translate to online sessions

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and supporting what matters to the client. Online, this looks like sessions that begin by asking about goals and values, then shaping conversations around those priorities. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people notice thought patterns and try new behaviors. In remote sessions, CBT often includes homework between meetings and concrete tools to practice in daily life. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is used for traumatic memories and involves guided processing to reduce the intensity of disturbing memories; the therapist will explain how EMDR can be adapted for remote work when it is appropriate.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, symptoms, and preferences, then suggest an approach or mix of approaches. That plan can change as progress is made and new needs appear, keeping treatment collaborative and flexible.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm current session options before booking. The practical benefits often include fitting sessions into a busy day, shorter check-ins when needed, and not needing extra travel time. Online work can make it easier to try homework between appointments and to involve focused tools like thought records or brief behavioral plans. Licensed professionals will help match an approach to what fits your life and goals.