Kathy McMahon, Psy.D.
For couples feeling it might take a miracle to change...
Last Shot Marriage Counselor for the Most Troubled Marriages
I'm a senior clinical psychologist who helps couples during the worst of times.
My specialty is working with couples who haven't been helped by other couples therapists.
81% of therapists surveyed say that they work with couples, however only 12% have ever taken a formal course in the subject.
I've spent my professional career working as a clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, the premier organization for those practicing marital therapy. I've been a sex therapist at the highest level (Diplomate) for over thirty years.
More recently, I completed the most advanced training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, a way of working with couples that has over 35 years behind it.
...and hard science.
Couples come to see me for many reasons:
• A couple is fighting a lot and it impacts the overall tone of the marriage
My job is to teach you about destructive patterns and how to break the cycle. I'm active, direct, and help you to put your energies toward change.
Research demonstrates that these patterns can and do change.
• There is no pleasure in it, or sex feels mechanical. Sometimes things don't work well when you do have sex, or you hate the body you are living in.
Let me put my thirty years of helping couples and teaching sex at a graduate level work for you. Become closer, work through a trauma past, and make sex become alive and pleasurable again.
• You've have, or are about to consult a lawyer about getting a divorce, but wonder if Last Shot Couples Therapy could help.
Did you know the severity of the problems have little relationship to the outcome of a marriage 5 years later? The majority of couples who had serious difficulties, like affairs, job loss, or intense arguments labeled themselves as "happy" 5 years later? They were tougher than their problems.
Are you?
Would you like to be?
• You think so differently. It hard to relate.
Aspergers, Trauma history, even Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder present very different perspectives. One is an artist, the other a scientist. But the fights might seem to be around parenting, but they are actually about world views. I work with couples who "think differently." Perhaps they come from different cultures. Or the same culture but now live in the USA. Choose a psychologist who respects these real differences in perspectives or cognitive processing, and is enthusiastic about making the love relationship work for you.
Blog Posts
Articles
Education/Training
Despite my years of higher education, I still maintain a sense of humor.
I also teach in several graduate schools around New England, including a doctoral program in clinical psychology, and a masters program in counseling psychology and in marriage and family therapy.
Earned a doctorate in clinical psychology from Antioch University New England in 1988.
Completed Level III of Gottman Couples Training.
Bio
What Treatment Looks Like
Most of the work will involve sessions in which you will be seen together as a couple. Unlike most psychotherapists, I only work with couples, not individuals, and my area of expertise. I may also give you exercises to practice between sessions, when appropriate.
I complete a very thorough evaluation in two sessions, and the third session I tell you:
• Your strengths. What's the glue that keeps you together
• The areas to work on. Not just vague notions, but a practical focus, including the type of exercises that are proven to help
• How many sessions I think it will take.
Then you decide whether or not to proceed.
Length of Therapy
The length of therapy will be determined by your specific needs and goals. In the course of therapy, we will establish points at which to evaluate your satisfaction and progress. Also, I will encourage you to raise any questions or concerns that you have about therapy at any time.
The Components of the Assessment are as Follows:
Session #1 Intake Interviews 90-120 minutes
Session #2 Individual Interviews 45 minutes/ea. (90 minutes)
Session #3 Treatment Planning 80-90 minutes
Where My Clients Come From
Some couples live right in Western Massachusetts, but many also travel considerable distances to see me. I hold intensive "get aways" for couples eager to spend time in the beautiful Berkshires to make their relationships stronger (see more about "Intensives" below).
Others see me in my office conveniently located in downtown Northampton.
My office is 1.5 hours or less from Boston, West Hartford, CT, Albany, NY and Brattleboro, VT. Those with second homes in the Berkshires also are welcome clients.
International Clients
I also provide videoconferencing for couples all around the world. I've videoconferenced with people all over Europe, and in Asia. I've also worked with international and intercultural couples in Massachusetts.
About Intensive Therapy
Intensive work is appropriate for those who live a distance from Western Massachusetts, and don’t want to commute for more traditional weekly sessions. Many couples find that they are able to make more progress with intensives, because they have the time to resolve problematic dynamics and learn new ways of relating to each other.
Scheduling An Appointment
Contact Dr. McMahon's Intake Coordinator at 844-926-8753 x2
Memberships
Psychologist & Licensed as a Health Care Provider, Massachusetts
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
Clinical Member
Executive Board, Massachusetts State Division 1992-1996
American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists:
Certified Sex Therapist Diplomat and Certified Sex Educator.
National Register of Health Service Providers. Member
Payments Accepted
Cash, checks, credit cards, Paypal.
Hours:Day and evening hours available
Cost/Session
I hold longer sessions (80-90 minutes) so you won't feel hurried.
License:#5036
Helpful Links
Practice Areas/Issues Treated
 Therapy
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Marriage Counseling
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Asperger's Syndrome
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Online / Teletherapy
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Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
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Pre and Postpartum Mental Health
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Bicultural Difficulties
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Relationship Issues
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Caregiver Issues
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Sexual Dysfunction
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Couples
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Trauma and PTSD
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Gay or Lesbian Issues
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Women's Issues
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Loneliness
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Licenses/Certifications
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Certified Sex Therapist (AASECT)
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Clinical Psychologist
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Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)
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Licensed Clinical Psychologist (State)
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Licensed Psychologist
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