All Posts

Self-care is not selfish, it is so important for our daily living and emotional well-being. It can be so hard to do, let us help you look at how you can do this.

Starting therapy can feel intimidating — especially if you don’t know what to expect. Many teens worry the first session will be awkward, uncomfortable, or full of pressure to share everything right away. Parents often wonder what will happen, how involved they’ll be, and whether their teen will shut down. The truth is, the first therapy session for teens is usually much calmer — and more flexible — than people expect. The First Session Is About Getting to Know Each Other The

Start With Curiosity, Not Concern It can be tempting to begin the conversation with worry or urgency. Instead, start by noticing and inviting conversation. Helpful openings include: “I’ve noticed things have felt harder lately. How has it been for you?” “I’m curious how you’ve been feeling about school, friends, or stress.” This lets your teen feel heard rather than evaluated. Avoid Framing Therapy as a Fix Teens are quick to hear, “Something is wrong with you.” Even when par

If your teen seems constantly stressed, overwhelmed, or on edge, you may be wondering how much anxiety is “normal” — and how to help without saying the wrong thing. Many parents feel stuck between wanting to protect their teen and not knowing what actually helps. Anxiety in teens can be confusing, especially when reassurance, advice, or encouragement to “calm down” seems to backfire. The good news is that teen anxiety is common, understandable, and treatable — and small shift

Information and tips on how to identify anxiety in teens and how therapy can help

Each year, the Super Bowl brings excitement, connection, and community. It also brings a significant increase in travel, temporary housing, and anonymous activity — conditions that can increase the risk of human trafficking in host cities and surrounding areas. Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to exploit someone for labor or for commercial sex. People of all ages, genders, and backgrounds can be affected...

In a world that celebrates productivity, resilience, and constant positivity, struggling can feel like failure. We’re often told to “stay strong,” “push through,” or “look on the bright side.” While these phrases are usually well-intended, they can unintentionally silence a very human truth: sometimes, we are not okay—and that’s okay. There is a myth in western culture that we have a need for constant strength. Strength is often misunderstood as the ability to endure without

Word of the year for 2026 written by one of our therapists, Beatriz Rodriguez, AMFT. As a new year begins, there can be a lot of pressure to set resolutions—to change habits, fix perceived flaws, or become a “better” version of ourselves. While intentions like these are often well-meaning, they can sometimes feel overwhelming or discouraging, especially when progress doesn’t happen as quickly or smoothly as expected. This year, instead of focusing on a New Year’s resolution,

Word of the Year for 2026: Intentionality =========================================== Written by one of our therapists, Natalie Smith, AMFT. As this new year begins, many of us reflect on where we’ve been and how we want to move forward. This year, I’m choosing to anchor myself in one guiding word: intentionality. The Importance of Intentionality In therapy, growth is often a central focus—building insight, resilience, and self-awareness. However, growth alone isn’t the end g

Understanding the Therapeutic Process Starting therapy—or even contemplating it—can stir a mix of emotions. You might feel hope, uncertainty, curiosity, or even hesitation. At McMackin Psychotherapy, we want you to know that whatever brings you here is valid. You don’t have to walk this path alone. We are a group psychotherapy practice dedicated to providing thoughtful, compassionate, and evidence-based mental health care. Our clinicians come from diverse backgrounds and trai