Maureen’s Journey

As a high achiever from a high-achieving family and a busy mom of four, I’ve intimately experienced the pressures of juggling multiple roles and managing high expectations. The demands of daily life, combined with the drive for success, often led me to struggle with anxiety and the relentless pursuit of perfection. However, my journey taught me the importance of living in the present, embracing imperfection, and finding peace amid life’s inevitable ups and downs.

These lessons have shaped my approach to helping others, equipping me with the tools to guide clients with a focus on balance and well-being. I understand the challenges of striving for excellence and am dedicated to helping clients release the burden of unrealistic expectations and find calm and contentment instead.

Since becoming a therapist in 2004 and obtaining my North Carolina license in 2008 (LCMHC #7187), I’ve been committed to helping people thrive in our frantic world. Founding Best Self Virtual Therapy and Oak City Wellness Center for OCD & Anxiety has allowed me to make therapy and wellness more accessible, where I continue to guide individuals toward their best selves.

My Mission:

Helping you thrive in a frantic world.

What this means for you:

I provide expert care tailored to each individual’s needs. My compassionate approach creates a safe, nurturing environment where clients feel heard, understood, and valued.

The therapies I am trained in have all been shown through research to be maximally impactful, including Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) therapy.

My goal is to help you generate more self-compassion, work on having healthy relationships, and living life according to your values. We do this by helping you become more aware of problematic thought patterns, reducing worry and rumination, and decreasing impulsive and compulsive behaviors. 

I empower clients to unlock their potential, navigate life’s complexities with confidence and resilience, and achieve a more balanced and fulfilling life.

To accommodate the demands of modern life, I offer convenient virtual sessions, allowing clients to access support from the comfort of their preferred environment.

Expert Care
Compassionate Approach
Evidence-Based Strategies
Personal Growth
Convenient Virtual Sessions
Maureen O'Connell of BSVT

Background

  • Bachelors of Psychology at Arizona State University
  • Masters in Counseling at Marymount University
  • Practicing Psychotherapist since 2004, primarily in private practice
  • Licensed in North Carolina since 2008 (LCMHC, #7187)
  • Extensive training in Exposure Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy,
    and mindfulness-based coping skills

My Expertise

Over the years, I’ve gained a deep understanding of the traits that often fuel anxiety. A couple of common ones are perfectionism and over-responsibility. My focus is on helping clients break free from these patterns and guiding them toward a more balanced and fulfilling life.

I specialize in treating anxiety and stress, including OCD, PTSD and trauma, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD),  and Panic Disorder.

In addition to anxiety, I have extensive experience in addressing relationship dynamics and working with individuals to heal and strengthen their connections with others. (consider adding more detail here about things clients have brought to you like dating, etc.)

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