(he/they)
Hi, I'm Mac. Clients tell me I'm a good listener, have useful skills and suggestions, and am really good at explaining things. I'm a trauma-trained therapist, having studied healing modalities in the Self-help field for 35 years prior to becoming a Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMHC) in 2012. I am a TIST Certified therapist, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Training levels I and 2, and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy therapist level 1. I am transmasculine, so have an understanding of many gender and sexuality issues. I am also a pipe carrier in the Ojibwe tradition.
In the first session we will do a standard evaluation, which will give me an understanding of your personal history, issues you're dealing with now, I'll ask about substances, previous tx and diagnoses, any meds you're on, a history of suicidal/homicidal ideation and behaviors, and a bullet-points-only review of your trauma, so as not to be too triggering. I will also give you a chance to ask me questions, so we can get to know each other. We begin the TIST work in the second session by learning the way the work thinks about trauma, and begin applying it as you feel ready to dive in.
TIST is the best trauma work I have encountered in my 52-year journey of self and professional discovery. It is based on the Structural Dissociation Model of Trauma, a way of thinking about trauma that is different than you've likely encountered before. It is simple to learn and execute, and it WILL help you make changes to your behavior and improve your life. In session I bring my best calm, curious, and compassionate Self to help you feel safe and held. Feel free to pause any time you feel uncertain or scared. I will do my best to hold good session boundaries around time and attendance and hope you will do the same.
My ideal client is motivated to heal from trauma. I love working with people who have had standard therapy and are ready to go deeper, as well as people new to therapy. I love working with young people aware that they have been raised badly and are searching for a different way to live their life. I love delving into difficult family dynamics and creating individual healing. I love working with people who are not afraid of change or who want to live more authentically. I love working with people trying to incorporate a connected, earth-based spirituality into their lives.
Other specialties
I identify as
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) is a trauma-informed parts model created by Janina Fisher, PH.D. TIST helps clients begin to notice the distressing behaviors and inner fragmentation that are the legacies of trauma as protective and adaptive responses to dysfunctional or life-threatening situations you have encountered throughout your life. Using a simple, guided Parts Conversation process, we bring more curiosity and compassion to your symptoms, combat shame and self-loathing, and begin to transform damaging behaviors. In TIST, we work backwards from the behaviors, without having to relive the memories or know where the behaviors are coming from. If you are ready to actively participate in your own recovery from trauma, let's work together to help you become the person you want to be.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Understanding and compassionately challenging our thoughts and beliefs can be a powerful transformational process. I often use some CBT work as a compliment to the TIST trauma process.
Mind-body approach
As a compliment to the TIST work or by itself, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy can work backwards from physical symptoms and body sensations to bring release, healing, and a greater sense of calm.