Steven McGough
I have over 20 years of experience working with all ages from teenagers to seniors. One thing I’ve learned through my experience is there is no shame in reaching out for help when we feel life is going against us. We all need it at some point, and if you realize you need some extra support, it is a healthy sign that you want to improve your life in some way. I follow a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS) models to work with my clients on developing different ways of interacting with the world to help them get unstuck.
First session
If you have never been in therapy, it can be difficult to make that first appointment. I have a casual, conversational style. The first session will be getting to know you and what you are struggling with. Following the first session, I try to strike a balance of listening to create a safe space and working together to try a different way of thinking and behaving to help you feel more connected to what is important, be present, and do what matters in life.
Strengths
I believe that balancing active listening with constructive challenging is a cornerstone of effective psychotherapy. I try my best to get to know my clients, create a safe space, and to collaboratively connect the dots between past experiences and current behaviors. Therapy is also about encouraging new ways of thinking and/or behaving to improve one's life. If a therapist only listens, therapy can feel supportive but stagnant. If they only challenge, it can feel aggressive or exhausting. The magic happens right in the middle, where empathy meets accountability.
Ideal clients
Deciding to come to therapy can be a tough decision. My ideal client is anyone who is struggling or stuck, but willing to make some changes or challenge themselves to break old habits or unhelpful ways of thinking. Real change happens when people are willing to push outside of their comfort zone to try new coping mechanisms, set boundaries, or face fears.
Origin story
Growing up as a middle child, I had early conditioning that directly translates into the clinical objectivity needed for therapy. I learned how to hold space for multiple perspectives without taking sides. In addition, I have always had a natural curiosity that replaces rigid labels with an open, collaborative journey of meaning-making. I believe every individual's background, struggles, and behavioral patterns are a unique puzzle waiting to be unraveled with empathy.
Ongoing work together
The first step in knowing you are making progress is when you become more aware and "catch" yourself in old habits. Once you are able to do this, you may start noticing that you react with a pause instead of going into a negative spiral. Progress is often quiet and gradual rather than a sudden transformation. I also have my clients periodically answer questionnaires to review progress together and see if therapy is working.
Treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I follow a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) models to work with my clients to develop different ways of interacting with the world in order to get unstuck, more connected to what is important, be present, and do what matters in life.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Licensed in
- ArizonaLicense LMFT-16326
- New MexicoLicense CTB-2022-0312