Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Maggie O’Connor. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Maggie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you share a story with us from back when you were an intern or apprentice? Maybe it’s a story that illustrates an important lesson you learned or maybe it’s a just a story that makes you laugh (or cry)?

When I was in undergrad, I spent a summer volunteering full-time at a residential and day treatment center for kids who had experienced significant trauma. I was placed in the therapeutic preschool, working with 3- to 5-year-olds—tiny humans who had already been through more than many adults. One day, I remember a little boy absolutely unraveling over a math worksheet. He was screaming, cussing out the staff, and throwing chairs across the room. It escalated so quickly that we had to evacuate the classroom for safety.

His therapist came down to help, and I watched as she quietly approached the doorway—not alone, but with her therapy dog at her side. The moment the boy caught sight of the dog, everything changed. He froze mid-scream, then slowly sank to the floor. The dog walked right up to him, sat down beside him, and started gently licking his hand. The boy reached out, began petting him, and then started to cry—big, quiet sobs that filled the silence after the chaos.

His therapist sat down next to them, and together—with the calming presence of the dog—they helped him regulate enough to rejoin the class later. I’ll never forget that moment. It was the first time I truly saw how powerful animals could be in the therapeutic space, and from that day forward, I knew exactly what I wanted to do when I grew up.

Maggie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I grew up in Omaha, Nebraska with my mom, dad, and sister. Both of my parents were lawyers, and while I admired their dedication to making a difference, I knew early on that life wasn’t for me. I wasn’t a fan of arguing, and law school didn’t sound the least bit appealing—but I still wanted to help people. I just needed to find my own way to do it.

From a young age, I felt pulled toward the helping professions. My career dreams changed almost daily—vet, doctor, nurse, physical therapist, social worker—but the common thread was always the same: I wanted to help. By high school, I had settled on becoming a therapist, and once I made that decision, there was no changing my mind.

I moved to Colorado for college and attended Regis University. I loved everything about it—the Jesuit values, the mountains, the sense of purpose I felt in my classes. I majored in Peace & Justice Studies and Sociology, and while people often asked me what I planned to do with a Peace & Justice degree, I never wavered. I knew I was headed to grad school to become a therapist, and everything I did was in pursuit of that goal.

The summer between my junior and senior year, I interned at a residential and day treatment center for kids who had experienced trauma. It was there that I fell in love with the work—and where I was first introduced to animal-assisted therapy. That experience solidified my passion not just for therapy, but for working with children and integrating animals into the healing process. I even wrote my senior thesis on The Benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy for Kids Who Have Experienced Trauma. Pretty specific.

After college, I earned my master’s in Clinical Counseling from the University of Denver, along with a certificate in Animals & Human Health from the School of Social Work. Around that time, I adopted a Miniature Goldendoodle, Oscar, and he began training alongside me. That was the beginning of what has become one of the most meaningful partnerships in my work.

Over the years, my career has taken many forms, and I’ve had the opportunity to work in a variety of settings. One of my favorite roles was returning to the same residential and day treatment facility where I had once interned. I remember watching a therapist walk into a chaotic classroom with her therapy dog and completely transform the energy of the space. Years later, I got to be that therapist—walking into dysregulated situations, Oscar by my side, and witnessing the power of his presence to de-escalate and comfort.

While I’m not currently working in residential care, I still have the honor of supporting children and families through some of the hardest moments of their lives. I help them understand how their mental health challenges impact their daily lives and work with them to develop tools and coping strategies that allow them to thrive.

What I’m most proud of is that I knew I wanted to help people from a young age, and I’ve spent my life following that call. Today, I get to sit with families during some of their most vulnerable moments—listening, supporting, and walking alongside them as they discover their own strength and resilience. It’s work I truly love, and it’s exactly where I’m meant to be.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

One of the most important keys to success in the field of therapy is learning how to honor yourself while walking alongside others on their journeys. Being a good clinician doesn’t mean neglecting your own needs to be endlessly accommodating. True success comes from taking care of yourself—setting boundaries, having hard conversations, knowing your limits, and making space for rest and play.

We can only show up fully for our clients when we are also showing up for ourselves. That means finding a sustainable balance between work and life, being flexible yet firm with boundaries, and choosing to address difficult issues rather than letting them slide for the sake of ease.

When you’ve identified your values, set boundaries that reflect them, and created a rhythm that allows for both purpose and rest—that’s when you thrive. Burnout is far too common in this field, and I believe much of it stems from the false belief that being a “good therapist” means constantly doing more, working longer, and sacrificing your own well-being. But the truth is, we are at our best when we care for ourselves first. That’s when we’re able to truly thrive—and help others do the same.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Early in my career, I worked at a residential and day treatment facility where the staff culture was heavily “trauma bonded.” We were all young clinicians, working too hard and too long, spending our free time talking about work, and carrying the weight of the trauma we witnessed daily. The combination of high stress, a challenging population, and a lack of experience made it an unsustainable environment. While I loved the work itself, I wasn’t supported by my employer, nor was I holding boundaries or maintaining any sense of work-life balance. Many of my colleagues left that environment completely burnt out, choosing never to return to the mental health field.

I was fortunate enough to take a month off between leaving that job and starting my next role. During that time, I prioritized rest, relaxation, and true self-care. I gave myself space to process both the difficult experiences I had with the children I worked with and the dynamics among staff. That intentional pause allowed me to return to my new workplace feeling restored, excited, and ready to continue doing work I love.

Sometimes, even when we’re deeply passionate about our work, we have to stop and ask ourselves if the environment we’re in is truly serving us. Taking that step back wasn’t easy, but it was necessary for my resilience. By rebuilding myself and setting healthier boundaries, I was able to continue in this field while maintaining my passion and commitment. Many of my former coworkers didn’t get that chance—they’re no longer in the mental health field today. That experience reinforced for me that resilience isn’t about pushing through at all costs; it’s about knowing when to pause, reset, and build yourself back up so you can keep going.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/maggie-o-connor-englewood-co/402446
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-o-connor-573921211/