I am a licensed counsellor with over 10 years of experience working therapeutically with both adults and children. I have worked as an educator for 25 years, 15 of which I worked with children with special educational needs..
I have worked with clients with various concerns, including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, career challenges, OCD, and ADHD. I also helped many people who have experienced physical trauma or emotional abuse. I am also comfortable working with people with suicide ideation and self-harm.
Although I work mainly with neurotypical clients, I specialise in neurodiversity (mainly ADHD and autism). Counselling can be used to work with neurodiverse people who often have co-morbid mental health issues due to masking, social interaction and communication problems, and feelings of isolation. As a counsellor understanding neurodiversity, I can help you address relationship problems, low self-esteem, and self-harm or suicide ideation.
I have a clinical and educational background working with neurodiverse children and adults. I have also worked with respite organisations supporting people with suicide ideation. I am a client-centred counsellor who helps to support personal growth and self-belief.
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Career difficulties, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Adoption and foster care, Aging and geriatric issues, Attachment issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Body image, Caregiver issues and stress, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Coping with natural or human-caused disaster, Dependent personality, Domestic violence, Drug and alcohol addiction, Emptiness, Family problems, Fatherhood issues, Forgiveness, Gender dysphoria, Guilt and shame, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Immigration issues, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Intellectual disability, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders, Multicultural concerns, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Personality disorders, Prejudice and discrimination, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-harm, Self-love, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Young adult issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems
NCPS Therapist - Accredited Member (MNCPS Accred) #NCS16-03719
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Oran Blackwood. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Oran is a professional and approachable therapist. I feel at ease in our sessions, and value his curiosity around me and my situation.
Written on May 28, 2026 after therapy with Oran for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, compassion fatigue, and adhd
When you talk to Oran you feel he is really listening and he doesn’t have a poker face, I was always looking for a therapist and most of my therapist were cold hearted or they don’t challenge your bad ideas but Oran is absolutely the opposite, he has a lot of knowledge and a very beautiful way to talk to a person
Written on Apr 24, 2026 after therapy with Oran for 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, and adhd
Immediately felt understood by Oran, and didn't have to spend 3-4 session explaining my background before feeling like I got benefit out of our sessions. Have only been working together for a couple of months and already feel a significant positive impact!
Written on Mar 24, 2026 after therapy with Oran for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, self esteem, coaching, and adhd
Absolutely fantastic therapist. Listens, considers, responds. Is careful and thoughtful but also able to be direct. Calm and kind demeanor and utmost professionalism. Could not recommend Oran highly enough.
Written on Mar 08, 2026 after therapy with Oran for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, and adhd
Oran has been a great help to me over the last few months. I have been able to stay on track woth goals and finally get a handle on my drinking and smoking habits so I am very grateful.
Written on Jan 08, 2026 after therapy with Oran for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, and adhd
Oran is non-judgemental, insightful and genuinely wants the best for me. He worked out very quickly what I needed and how to approach and unpack how I am feeling. I genuinely feel optimistic for the first time in a while. It is suddenly like my thoughts and feeling actually make sense.
Written on Oct 29, 2025 after therapy with Oran for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, and lgbt