Eileen OBrien Phelps

Eileen OBrien Phelps is a licensed mental health counselor with 28 years of experience helping people move through difficult times. She works with concerns such as depression, stress and anxiety, post-traumatic stress, anger, and issues related to parenting and relationships. She aims to help clients reconnect with their strengths and regain a sense of purpose.

Eileen trained in the University of Maryland system and graduated from Bowie State University in 1994. Over nearly three decades in practice she has supported people facing substance abuse, domestic violence, grief, and major life changes. Her background includes work with first responder issues, adoption and foster care concerns, and multicultural challenges.

Her style is practical and collaborative. She treats clients as partners and helps them set clear, achievable goals. Sessions focus on building confidence, identifying existing strengths, and creating a step-by-step plan to reach goals.

Eileen draws on several well-known approaches to guide treatment. She uses client-centered methods to follow each person’s priorities, cognitive behavioral techniques to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and EMDR for trauma-related symptoms when appropriate. She also integrates mindfulness and solution-focused tools to support coping and short-term progress.

People often come to her feeling overwhelmed or stuck. She works in plain language and breaks tasks into small steps. The goal is to give clients practical skills they can use between sessions and a clearer path forward.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Client-centered therapy focuses on the person’s priorities and uses listening and reflection to help people name what matters most. It is useful for anyone who wants a supportive space to sort feelings and set personal goals.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, teaches practical ways to notice and change thoughts and behaviors that make problems worse. It is often used for anxiety, depression, anger, and stress because it supplies skills you can try between sessions.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, EMDR, is a trauma-focused approach that aims to reduce the intensity of disturbing memories by processing them in a structured way. It is commonly used for post-traumatic stress and severe trauma-related symptoms.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about their goals, symptoms, and preferences and then suggest an approach or mix of methods. Clients and therapist review progress and adjust the plan together as needed.

Session logistics should be confirmed before booking since specific formats are not listed here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when time is tight, and reduce commuting time. Confirm the available session options when you schedule to match sessions to your needs and daily routine.