Therapist Philadelphia

Lori O’Mara, LCSW,CST

AASECT Certified Sex Therapist & Licensed Clinical Social Worker / Therapist

My Approach to Therapy

Hi and welcome to Cope Better Therapy. I’m Lori O’Mara, an AASECT certified Sex Therapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Therapy is a collaborative process where you and I explore presenting problems with a curious eye. Problems often have more than one contributing factor that cause distress and perpetuate unwanted outcomes. In our time together, we explore what’s going on and assess if/when/where changes need to be made based on your targeted goals. I expect clients to attend session and bring content they wish to discuss, evaluate and process. There is no such thing as a small problem or “first world problem” because if it’s impacting your well-being it’s important. If it’s important enough to discuss in therapy, then it’s important and valid. Your wellness and enhanced understanding of yourself is my priority during our time together.

Together we identify treatment goals in therapy and create an outline of targeted steps and exercises that support those treatment goals. I’m with you on YOUR journey towards personal evolution. Therapy requires great courage and vulnerability, and while being vulnerable is extremely uncomfortable for all of us, change can only occur once we look in the mirror and deliberately choose to accept, reject or modify the parts of self we want to hold onto day after day. After all, real change can only come with loss. In order to grow, we must be willing to let go and grieve our prior ways of being and relating.

Education / Background

UNDERGRADUATE COLLEGE
I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Elmira College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. In college, I volunteered with a mentorship program that provided social support to adults so impacted by their worries, anxieties or negative self perception that something as basic as leaving the house proved too difficult at times. The mentorship program encouraged positive social relationships and provided emotional and practical support to those who needed it the most.

To better the influence of culture I also studied abroad in college. First stop was San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, the most romantic town in all of Mexico in my opinion. Here, I taught English in a home for young girls while taking cooking, art and culture lessons from the locals. (It really was amazing here and I can’t wait to return!). Next, the islands of Hawaii called and during the eight week stay, our traveling team of environmentalists adventure enthusiasts cleaned national parks and polluted beaches and learned how to live at one with nature in remote parts of Volcanoes National Park and other regions. While in Doha, Qatar I mentored female Qatari students transitioning into academia. This last big stop was Australia where I lived for one year and attended the University of Queensland. When not in class, I volunteered for Clubhouse. This organization builds life and employment skills for adults who are chronically impacted by mood disorders and/or other psychiatric conditions that interfere with their ability to comfortably socialize or attain/maintain employment. At Clubhouse, members and staff worked side by side, skill building and supporting one another. I really loved this program because it was strength based while reducing stigma about mental illness.

GRADUATE SCHOOL

After graduating from Elmira College, I moved to Philadelphia, PA and continued working with the Clubhouse organization. Eventually I attended the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research (GSSWSR) at Bryn Mawr College, graduating with a Master of Social Services (MSS).

I interned at Hahnemann Hospital where I assessed new admissions to the psychiatric inpatient unit and offered support groups several days a week to short and long term residents before transitioning to the kidney and pancreas transplant unit where I evaluated adults for kidney and pancreas transplant candidacy.

POST GRADUATE SCHOOL

Cancer Treatment Centers of America was my first introduction to oncology. As a Mind-Body Medicine therapist, counseling patients through treatment, running support groups and teaching mindfulness tools was the focus. I also taught a number of wellness workshops to stakeholders.

While at Cancer Treatment Centers of America, I started two new programs. The first was a weekly grief writing workshop where patients and loved ones explored the emotional and psychological impact of cancer through poetry, story writing and drawings. The second program was the development of a comprehensive Sexual Health and Wellness Clinic.

As the Mind-Body Medicine Therapist aligned with the breast cancer clinic, I identified several ways our team could better support the sexual health needs of our patients and their partners. Using the PLISSIT Model, all patients completed a survey on their sexual health and related symptoms. Those scoring above a certain threshold were connected with cross discipline modalities such as Acupuncture, Mind-Body Medicine, Massage, Reiki, Physical Therapists, Pelvic Floor Therapists and Nutrition. As the therapist spear-heading this project, I provided sexual health psychoeducation to all patients.

While I enjoyed all the roles I had over my time at the center, the most memorable moments were the individual therapy sessions. Each day, I looked forward to the one-on-one time I had with a particular patient, spouse or caregiver. There was something just so special about slowing down and really getting to know someone in these sessions.

I also closely collaborated with our Palliative Care Team to address the significant symptom burden that commonly develop as a result of managing a chronic illness, while helping patients discuss goals of care.

TRAINING
* Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Certificate (Beck Institute)
* Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Certificate (CBT) (Bryn Mawr College)
* ongoing continuing education coursework as required by licensure

I am most proud of graduating from Council For Relationships, earning a post graduate Sex Therapy Certification under the direction of the brilliant Dr. Nancy Gambescia, Dr. Kimberly Ludwigsen and Dr. Steven Betchen. I am proudly an AASECT certified Sex Therapist.

COPE BETTER THERAPY

Cope Better Therapy is a private practice. We are a remote-based online therapy group specializing in sex therapy, sexual health and sexual wellness. Areas of specialty include:

infertility concerns
infertility treatments

pelvic pain
female sexual arousal/desire concerns
orgasm related concerns
religious ideologies that interfere with sexual pleasure

communication about sex and pleasure with/between couples
creating sexual landscapes between couples that meet expressed needs

sexual identity exploration

 

We are also a safe space for the LGBTQ community and individuals/couples exploring non-monogamy, polyamory and kink.

We normalize sexual interests and pleasure and use sex positive terminology, ideas and approaches.

Treating depression, anxiety and stress in response to life transitions and competing priorities using cognitive behavioral therapy and a variety of other modalities is also what we do.

Other areas of interest and specialty include:

Therapy for entrepreneurs
Counseling for cancer patients undergoing cancer directed care
Counseling for cancer patients who completed cancer directed care

Our ideal clients are self-directed and motivated to learn, grow, adapt and evolve.

If you want to connect, complete this form and start your journey today. It’s time to make time for yourself. complete the FREE consultation form.