Dr. O’Connell graduated from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN in 1999 with Honours while double majoring in psychology and sociology. She obtained her Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Psychology from the Adult Clinical program at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She has experience working with adults who have been exposed to traumatic events and have difficulties in the aftermath of these stressful experiences. Dr. O’Connell has worked with U.S. military veterans diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and other related concerns; clients exposed to motor vehicle accidents, violence, and child abuse; individuals with anxiety and mood disorders; individuals experiencing difficulties adjusting to physical health problems and life-limiting illnesses in themselves and in loved ones; and couples and families who require enhanced communication and support for one another. She has worked as a psychologist at a psychiatric inpatient unit in Alberta, outpatient mental health centers, residential substance abuse centers, a specialty posttraumatic stress disorder centre, geriatric rehabilitation, an inpatient palliative care unit, and a rehabilitation-focused private practice, where she is now. Dr. O’Connell is on the permanent registry with the College of Psychologists of Ontario with declared competencies in the areas of Clinical and Rehabilitation Psychology with adults and seniors. She currently provides psychological services to clients who present with varied concerns from an integrated perspective drawing from cognitive-behavioural, client-centered, existential, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and interpersonal psychodynamic approaches to psychological treatment.