What was your path to becoming a therapist? What inspired you to choose this profession?
My path to becoming a therapist was very long, and very personal. I had aways known I anted to be in the psychology/mental health field due to the experiences I had with a family full of illness; my main interest was in the why and the how. As I grew older and had many of my own life experiences, I wanted more than a why and a how... I wanted to help. My path took longer than some because of these life experiences, but I believe they helped me to become the person, and therapist, that I am and allow me to better help others.
What is your style/approach to therapy?
My style/approach to therapy is very relaxed. I believe therapists and clients should both feel comfortable and as if they are having a conversation rather than a structed Q & A session which can feel more business like as opposed to being personal and individual. I like allowing the client to tell their story, feel free to vent and ultimately feel acknowledged and validated.
How do you determine therapy goals with clients? What does that process look like?
I spend much of my first session with clients, and every session thereafter, getting to know the client as a person and involving them every step of the way through their journey. Goals are determined by the client, interventions developed using the clients strengths, preferences and desires to determine.
Specialties
Domestic violence
Involves physical, sexual, or emotional abuse within the context of a family or relationship. Can happen to any gender, age, ethnicity, etc. and is often related to power dynamics and an abuse of power.
Sex Addiction
Though not a formally recognized disorder in the DSM-5, sex addiction is characterized as an intimacy disorder in which an individual engages in a compulsive pattern of repetitive behavior directed toward sexual gratification that may lead to negative role, social, safety, or legal consequences. It is a progressive and pervasive condition in which one continues to chronically engage in sexual behavior despite the consequences.
Sexual health & dysfunction
Sexual health and dysfunction go well beyond the physical but into the cognitive, social and spiritual/religious domains of our being. Being sexually healthy entails feeling comfortable with one’s sexuality. This includes identity, orientation, performance, self-esteem, choice of partner(s), et cetera. It also includes congruence between one’s actions and personal values. Dysfunction may occur when one struggles with any aspect of sexuality and/or may entail a physical complication.
Trauma
Trauma is the result of experiencing a perceived, extremely distressful event. Although the stress threshold for each person differs, meaning that each person considers and experiences trauma differently, it is an event that tops one’s threshold. It exceeds one’s ability to cope or emotionally process. Symptoms may include shock, anxiety, confusion, hopelessness, feeling disconnected, mood swings, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts.
Sex Therapy
Sex Therapy
General Expertise
Depression
Depression often causes people to feel sad, empty, or hopeless, and can cause a lack of interest in life. It can also affect a person's thinking patterns and physical health.
Anxiety
Anxiety can mean nervousness, worry, or self-doubt. Anxiety disorder is a mental health disorder that entails excessive, repeated bouts of worry, anxiety, and/or fear.
Relationship Issues
Refers relationship issues with a partner or spouse. Can include issues related to relationship distress, relationship satisfaction, communication, intimacy, etc.
Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is the degree to which a person feels confident, valuable, and worthy of respect. Feeling low self-esteem can influence overall well-being and be linked to anxiety and/or depression.
Addiction
Regular involvement with a substance or activity in a compulsive, hard to control way that often has harmful consequences. Often refers to substance use, but can include compulsive behaviors such as sex, gambling, or shopping.
Fees
$125
First Session
$125
Family Therapy
$100
Couples Therapy
$75
Group Therapy
$105
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Family Session
Couples Session
Individual Session
Group Session
Clientele
Parents
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Adolescents (13-17)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Mindfulness Practices
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Adlerian Therapy
Attachment-Based Therapy
Compassion-Focused Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Existential Therapy
Family Systems Therapy
Forensic Therapy
Gestalt Therapy
Humanistic Therapy
Interpersonal Psychotherapy
Jungian Therapy
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Narrative Therapy
Person-Centered Therapy
Positive Psychology
Psychodynamic Therapy
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Training / Certifications
National Credentialed Counselor
Alliance for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA) Conference
ACUTE-STABLE-2007 Certification
STATIC-99R Certification
Assessing &Treating Sexual Sadism Disorder and Psychopathy
Integrating DBT In Sex Offender Treatment
Trauma Competency
Licensure
NY, LMHC, 009121
Education
M.A., Mental Health Counseling, Medaille College
B.A., Psychology & Sociology, SUNY University at Buffalo
A.S., Criminal Justice, SUNY Genesee Community College
Work History
My name is Patricia McDonald, I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York and have been practicing full time for 5 years, although I have about 15 years experience in the mental health field between residential treatment, inpatient treatment, crisis care and outpatient treatment. I graduated with my Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Medaille College in 2016, during which time I completed my internship with a Veteran Residential Program and specialized in trauma. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Sociology from SUNY University at Buffalo. During Undergraduate studies, I worked in a group home for individuals suffering from severe and persistent mental illness. Following that employment, I worked in a psychiatric inpatient for mentally ill/chemically addicted patients in a large hospital as well as spent several years as part of an after hours crisis response team in my local community. I spent the last 5 years providing a range of counseling services to clients through a not-for-profit agency; the majority of my focus has been on sexual issues (offender and victim), domestic violence (abuser and victim), trauma, co-morbid diagnosis such as depression, ,anxiety, suicide, alcohol/substance abuse and much more. I am happy to answer any questions about my experience or practice in order to allow you to make the best decision for whom you entrust your care. My therapeutic approach is very person centered and, for lack of better terms, "down to earth". I speak to my clients as an equal, my goal is to make you as comfortable and natural as possible. My belief is that YOU are the expert in YOU, therefore I can only give you tools and teach you how to use them...YOU are the one doing all of the work. As the client, you know what you need and what is best for you. I don't believe in dwelling on the past, but I do believe that we learn the most about ourselves by exploring our past experiences and how they impact our current thoughts, beliefs and actions. I am a proponent of Acceptance Theory and Existential Theory, as well as Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, Solution-Focused Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.... I know much these "therapies" mean little to many of you reading this, but to me it means that I have a large tool box I draw from and utilize a range of therapeutic approaches based on the client's individual needs and what will serve YOU best. Just as not all clients are created equal, so is the same for counselors. We are all individuals, with unique and different skill sets, backgrounds and approaches. It is important for you to select a counselor you feel comfortable with and will best suit your needs. Although I hope I can help you, my biggest hope is that, while scrolling through counselor profiles, you are able to find the one that you match with best and they are able to help you on your counseling journey!
Location
Batavia, 14020, NY