Mark Farrell O'Brien, MS, LCPC, CADC

Being a young man today can feel like a lot. School, work, relationships, and trying to figure out what’s next can pile up fast. Add in pressure to succeed, comparing yourself to peers, social media, family expectations, or habits like drinking, vaping, or other substances, and it’s easy to feel stuck, behind, or unsure of yourself. Money stress—student loans, bills, or budgeting—balancing responsibilities, and taking care of your health while keeping up with life can make it feel even heavier. School and career can be especially stressful. Choosing a major, struggling with classes, navigating college, transitioning into work, or figuring out early career steps can leave you anxious or frozen. You might overthink, procrastinate, or worry about making the “wrong” move. Therapy gives you a chance to step back, see your patterns, and take practical steps forward so you can feel more in control and confident about your choices. Relationships matter—but they can be tricky. Friendships shift after school, romantic relationships can feel confusing, and moving to a new city can make it hard to feel connected. Loneliness is normal, and it’s easy to try to fill that gap with alcohol, gaming, social media, or other habits. Therapy gives you a place to talk openly, build real connections, and find healthier ways to navigate these struggles. Emotions can feel intense. Anxiety, anger, sadness, or emptiness are all part of being human—but without tools, it’s easy to shut down, overreact, or lean on unhealthy coping habits. Therapy helps you understand your feelings, process stress, and manage emotions in ways that support your goals and well-being. Figuring out who you are and what you want from life can be overwhelming. Imposter syndrome, self-doubt, or feeling behind are common. Therapy provides a safe, nonjudgmental space to explore these questions, clarify your values, and build confidence. You’ll also learn how habits—like substance use or avoidance—may have started as ways to cope, and how to make healthier choices moving forward. The goal isn’t to “fix” you. It’s to help you get clear, stay steady, and move forward with confidence—in school, work, relationships, and life. You don’t have to do it alone. I’m a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor with over 20 years of experience helping young men navigate life transitions, launch into adulthood, and build momentum with clarity and confidence. I’ve worked in schools, treatment centers, and community counseling settings, supporting young men in high school, college, and early career roles—including high-pressure positions at Fortune 500 companies. While the environments differ, the challenges often look the same: stress, uncertainty, substance use, and feeling stuck without a clear path forward. My approach is practical, supportive, and focused on real change. I help young men understand what’s driving their struggles, develop healthier coping strategies, and build the skills to manage emotions, relationships, and responsibilities effectively. Therapy isn’t about fixing what’s “wrong”—it’s about giving you the tools, insight, and confidence to move forward in a way that actually works for your life. If you’re feeling stuck—whether with mental health, substance use, or figuring out your next steps—reach out to schedule a consultation. Together, we’ll build a path forward that restores clarity, momentum, and confidence as you move toward the life you want.