Deborah McColl
I have been licensed and seeing clients in my practice for over 30 years and have had over 20 years experience providing clinical supervision for trainees and associates. I am infinitely curious about the human psyche and each individual's adaptation to their upbringing and experience in the world. I am eager to help clients to find balance and peace in life.
First session
The first session is about getting to know you, a bit about your history and what your goals are for therapy.
Strengths
I bring curiosity, experience, and a close attention to what happens in the room. I listen to your story, but I also notice the moments when your voice changes, a feeling appears, or you pull away from something important. Together, we can slow down and explore those moments without judgment. My approach is informed by psychodynamic and attachment work, as well as an understanding of how the nervous system learns to anticipate what will happen next. Patterns that cause distress often began as sensible ways to cope. I’m interested in helping you understand what those patterns have protected you from, and whether they still serve you. I offer a steady, collaborative relationship where there is room for honesty, humor, and vulnerability. Insight matters, but so does the experience of feeling safe enough to see yourself differently. Over time, that can open up new ways of relating to yourself and to others.
Ideal clients
Creative individuals, Psychotherapists, introspective persons trying to understand their mental, emotional and behavioral patterns. I am a clinical supervisor to psychotherapy trainees so I can be helpful to other therapists. I also focus on an individual's nervous system and patterned responses to stress and difficulties to help overcome automatic reactions and to develop more options in their response and choices.
Treatment methods
Psychodynamic
I look at the client's upbringing and family dynamics to understand their specific patterns and attachment issues as well as follow the client's frame of mind and nervous system.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Doesn't specialize in
Licensed in
- CaliforniaLicense 29826