Nora O'Connor

Practical, body-aware therapy for life transitions

LCSW California

Experience: 15 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, LGBT
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Languages: English

About Nora

Nora O'Connor is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in California who brings 15 years of clinical experience to her practice.

Background and approach

Her work centers on practical, skill-based strategies drawn from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy along with somatic awareness and trauma-informed care to help people navigate stress, anxiety, addiction recovery, LGBTQ concerns, and major life transitions. She combines evidence-informed techniques with attention to bodily experience to address issues such as self-esteem, career questions, compassion fatigue, anger, and relationship patterns.

Nora also supports clients facing adoption and foster care matters, caregiver stress, codependency, domestic violence, PTSD, panic, mood disorders, and challenges related to isolation, guilt, or financial strain. Her background includes focused work with polyamory and non-monogamous relationship dynamics, HIV/AIDS related concerns, and fostering self-love and forgiveness.

Nora maintains a somatic practice alongside her clinical work, which she integrates into sessions when appropriate to enhance emotional regulation and present-moment awareness. She offers sessions in English and works with clients located in California, providing multiple online formats to fit different needs and schedules.

Integrating evidence-based approaches in online care

CBT focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns to reduce symptoms like anxiety, panic, and low mood; it teaches concrete skills for coping and problem solving. Somatic-informed work pays attention to bodily sensations and movement to support emotional regulation and to process trauma that is held in the body. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) adds skills in distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness to help manage intense emotions and relationship challenges.

Nora approaches treatment collaboratively, helping clients choose approaches that match their goals, needs, and preferences. She will work with each person to determine whether CBT skill-building, somatic practices, DBT skills training, or a combination best supports progress, and she adjusts the plan over time as goals evolve.

Online sessions are available via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to keep consistent appointments while accessing evidence-informed tools and regular support from a licensed professional based in California.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Nora commonly address?

Nora works with a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, addiction recovery, LGBTQ issues, self-esteem, coping with life changes, anger, career questions, and compassion fatigue. She also attends to trauma-related issues, mood and panic disorders, relationship dynamics like polyamory, and caregiving or adoption-related stress.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her style blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with somatic awareness and trauma-informed techniques to provide practical skills and attention to bodily experience. Sessions aim to teach tools for emotional regulation while exploring patterns that maintain distress.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has 15 years of experience as a clinician working with diverse concerns ranging from anxiety and addiction to caregiver stress and relationship issues.

Where is she licensed and based?

She is a licensed clinical social worker in California and holds the credential CA LCSW 27049. Her practice is based in California and she provides services consistent with that licensure.

Which languages are available for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English. She is not accepting international clients at this time.

In what formats are sessions available?

She offers multiple online session formats, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.

How are costs and scheduling handled?

Costs vary by location and therapist availability, and sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time. Scheduling is based on the therapist's available appointment times.

What are the steps to begin working with her?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to her availability. The process is designed to match needs and preferences before sessions begin.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety AddictionsLGBTSelf esteem Coping with life changes

Also works with

Anger managementCareer difficultiesCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

Adoption and foster careCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyDomestic violenceForgivenessGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMoney and financial issuesMood disorders Panic disorder and panic attacksPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressSelf-loveSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

15+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English