Chicago Psychologist

Psychotherapy is a very individual process. It is useful to many people to better understand their life situations in order to set and reach personal goals, strengthen relationships, or make grounded decisions to adjust to changed life circumstances. By its structure, psychotherapy allows you to talk concerns or problems through in a secure space, and allows you to explore thoughts, feelings, and problems in a way that solitary introspection or conversations with friends and relatives often cannot achieve.

The counseling relationship is collaborative. You set the direction, content and pace of your counseling with me. Most times counseling will involve the two of us identifying and exploring your needs, attitudes, thinking and feelings that lead to your specific behaviors or interactions with others. That is, you may feel confused, frustrated, or not in sufficient control of your life when your motives are unclear to you. However, understanding your motives in romantic relationships, family interactions and career choices are often a central component of exploration in counseling; it is from this deeper understanding that you focus on how your present life and future designs develop.

Whether discussing your past, present or future, I approach the counseling process as a collaboration with you to most effectively identify whatever interferes with reaching your goals. I draw on my pre- and post- doctoral studies in analytic, dynamic, cognitive, and neuropsychological theory to understand personality, motivation, behavior and relationships. It is my goal to use my knowledge to help us understand the intricacies of your impasses as well as to identify ways to meet your goals.

In addition, I bring experience in working with many client questions and problems to my work with each individual client or couple. Experienced with a wide range of issues -- including anxiety, depression, sexuality, acculturation and life transitions -- I have provided psychotherapy services for over 15 years. I have worked with high school, undergraduate and graduate students, and individuals from many cultural backgrounds. My clients have had varied careers, e.g. they have been clinicians, teachers/professors, physicians, lawyers, corporate executives, private business persons, trade workers, mechanics, retail managers and clerks, exotic dancers. I work with individuals who have moved to the U.S.to live or attend school, individuals who are returning to the U.S. after living abroad, as well as individuals preparing to return to their home country after studying or working in the U.S. I work with individuals struggling with questions about sexuality or past sexual experiences. Thus, I will bring a rich experience with the complexity of many individual life journeys to my work with you.

Patricia McMahon, PsyD
Downtown Chicago -- Monday, Wednesday and Friday
30 North Michigan
Chicago Illinois 60602
847-570-0817
and
Schaumburg -- Thursday
1821 Walden Office Square
Schsumburg Illinois 60173
847-570-0817
Office hours for Dr. Patricia McMahon are by appointment.