Obaogodara (Preference:Dara) Oluwasanmi, LMHC

Obaogodara (prefers Dara) Oluwasanmi is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) practicing in New York. She brings six years of counseling experience and currently works full time supporting people with persistent mental health needs. Dara aims to help clients feel heard and to set clear, achievable goals for therapy.

Dara uses a collaborative style. She focuses on building rapport and trust before moving into problem-solving work. Sessions are respectful and centered on each person's values and pace.

Her approach draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Mindfulness Therapy along with Motivational Interviewing and Solution-Focused Therapy. She individualizes plans so techniques match the issue and the person sitting in the room. That can mean practical skill work, reflection, or short-term goal setting.

Dara has experience addressing anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, and relationship concerns. She also supports people managing ADHD, stress, self-esteem struggles, eating concerns, anger, career stress, and coping with life changes.

People can expect clear communication about goals and steps to take between sessions. Dara values empathy and respect and works with each person to find what helps them feel more able to cope and move forward.

How different approaches work online

CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. Online CBT sessions often include practical homework, thought records, and step-by-step skill practice that translate well to video or messaging formats.

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening, empathy, and building a strong therapeutic relationship. That approach helps clients feel understood and supported while they talk through concerns during video or phone sessions.

Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple awareness and breathing techniques to reduce stress and reactivity. Those exercises can be guided live and practiced between sessions using short messages or audio prompts.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. Dara will work collaboratively to choose methods that match a person's goals and preferences, and she adjusts plans as needs change.

Online formats offer flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face interaction, phone sessions work when bandwidth is limited or for a quieter check-in, live chat is useful for shorter exchanges, and text messaging is helpful for brief updates and reminders. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules and to continue care across different life demands.