Kelly O'Brien, Ph.D.

Meet Dr. Kelly O'Brien

Hello! I am Kelly O’Brien, a 16-year resident of Oldsmar, a 12-year business owner in Oldsmar, and most importantly, a mom, a wife, a daughter, a friend, a psychologist, an advocate for children and families, and a woman of faith. I moved to Florida in 1996 after earning my BA in Psychology, my MA in Clinical Psychology and working at a residential mental health treatment program for children in Erie, PA. I earned my MA in Education, an Educational Specialist’s Degree (Ed.S.) and a Ph.D. in School Psychology at USF. I interned in city schools and a residential treatment program in Cleveland, OH, and returned once again to live amongst the beauty and the palms of sunny Florida. Because I like to keep myself on my toes, I now own my own private practice in Oldsmar, am a psychological associate at the Tampa Bay Family Therapy Center in Tampa, and work as a Family Ministry Assistant at Bayside Church on St Rd. 580. I am the grateful mother to Fallon (Zazu in OPAL’s Lion King Jr.) and she is the reason why I strive to live, work and play with intention and purpose.

​

I am running for Oldsmar City Council Seat 3 because I want to contribute in a meaningful way to the happiness and health of children and families in Oldsmar. I love that we as a city are working on building a beautiful and booming downtown, and my personal aim is to help us focus just as much effort on building up the families who will get to enjoy it. I want our families to feel a true connection to this community and to hold to the belief that this a community that cares for them, listens to them, and wants them to be beautiful and booming, too! I have many ideas that I want to see come to fruition, from finding a way to provide parenting education/coaching (because raising children can be hard, let’s be real), to developing a Kids’ Council to involve children in local government, to securing a top-notch performing arts setting for our amazingly talented youth! I also support the needs and initiatives of our public safety personnel and veterans. As the wife of a first responder and a Gold Star Family member, I have a strong interest in supporting those people who selflessly care for and defend our families every day.

I want Fallon, who already seemingly knows half of our residents at her young age of eight (this is no coincidence), to grow and thrive in a community where she feels connected to others, understands her responsibility to contribute, and has access to those things that make for a happy life. Research repeatedly shows that these are the building blocks of strong mental health. (I AM a psychologist after all!)

Please consider electing me for Seat 3 where I will be a joyful and dedicated servant to the City of Oldsmar! Voting day is St. Patty's Day...Tuesday, March 17th!