Patricia McDonald LMHC

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.

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.

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.

• New York, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, 009121

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!