Cameron O'Mara, LCSW, PhD
About Me
Hello! I'm Cameron (he/him). I'm passionate about the transformative power of therapy and truly grateful that I get to do this every day. I'm dedicated to the art of deeply listening, witnessing, and supporting the kind of long-term change that can only be found when we take the time to ask big questions of ourselves, our lives, and each other.
My Story
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I have always been curious about how we find meaning in our lives. Before I became a therapist, I earned a PhD in "continental" philosophy, which is another way of saying that I spent many years searching for meaning of my own. My journey ultimately took me out of the ivory tower, as I learned that what felt the most meaningful to me was actually what I found in connection and collaboration with others. I continue to be humbled by the changes that I see my clients make in their lives when they draw from their own strengths and resiliency, bolstered by a safe, affirming, authentic relationship.
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I feel inspired when I hear my clients ​start to undo the tangled knot that has held together their symptoms for so long. We get curious together about each thread, taking them apart one by one and discovering what else can be made of them. We might find old wounds, brought on by childhood trauma, shame, or abandonment; we might unpack the pain of living in the closet before coming out as queer or trans; we might see how substances and self-defeating behaviors have replaced needs and desires that have gone unspoken. The messiness of what comes undone can feel scary at first, but it gives us the chance to finally create something new.​​​​​​​​
My Values in Practice
Social Justice
I believe that "mental health" spans beyond diagnostic categories and that it is deeply impacted by systemic inequalities that perpetuate marginalization, discrimination, and trauma. I believe that acknowledging these and advocating for change is integral to healing work.
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Curiosity
Therapy isn't one-size-fits-all. Approaching therapy from a position of curiosity means maintaining an openness to asking different questions, exploring avenues that haven't been considered before, and generating new possibilities - even if only imagined to begin with - that can restore a sense of agency, creativity, and fullness to your life.
Humility
I work to challenge the traditional power dynamics in therapy; rather than act as the "expert" of your experience, I draw from education and training to join and support you in your personal growth. I witness the complexity of your life's journey compassionately and non-judgmentally.
Authenticity
Therapy is a unique relationship: it is centered on your care, but mutually participatory. I provide honest feedback, reflections, questions, and observations. When appropriate, I offer my experiences of what's happening in the here and now. I believe that much of the power of therapy stems from being in a shared moment, rather than talking to a "blank screen."
Education and Training Programs
​Masters in Social Work (MSW), clinical concentration
University of Pennsylvania (SP2)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Existential, Phenomenological, and Feminist Philosophy
Penn State University
Fulbright Grant (independent research)
Albert-Ludwigs-Universitaet Freiburg, Germany
Bachelor of Arts (BA), summa cum laude, Philosophy
Mount Holyoke College
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​Eating Disorders, Compulsions, and Addictions (EDCAS) Program (in progress)
"Luminaries of the Interpersonal Tradition" Topic-oriented Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Program
William Alanson White Institute, New York, NY
Contact me to schedule a free, 15-minute consultation to see if we could be a fit. I look forward to hearing from you.
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