Hello reader, my name is Makenzie and I believe that as communal creatures, we need one another to survive. Life isn’t easy and navigating complicated and confusing systems to meet our daily needs can feel impossible. My passion in life is partnering with you in achieving the goals you set for yourself. I am not here to tell you what to do nor what not to do. I am not here for any reason but to meet you where you are and provide support during this time of growth and healing. I also believe that the key to favorable outcomes is the therapeutic bond between you and your therapist. 

I attended UNC-Charlotte for both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees (Bachelor of Arts-International Studies with minors in Spanish and Sociology in 2014 and Master’s of Social Work in 2020). My background is rooted in non-profit, community-based mental health services. In 2015 I served as Certified Youth Peer Support Partner with the North Carolina High Fidelity Wraparound program. After falling in love with the field, I returned to school to further my formal education in 2017. Since graduating with an MSW in 2020, I have continuously worked with children, youth, and adults in various capacities, including school-based therapy, Family Centered Treatment, and outpatient counseling.
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate, I believe in a person-centered, strengths-based approach. I have experience working with people of all ages but currently work with adults ages 18 and up. I enjoy working with and learning from people and families of all genders, ethnicities, nationalities, socio-economic status, cultural identities, etc. on a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, self-harm, suicidal ideations, abuse, neurodivergence, religious trauma, LGBTQIA+, narcissistic abuse, grief, self-esteem, obsessive-compulsive disorder and dual diagnoses. As a culturally sensitive clinician, my goal is to provide a trusting, transparent and safe environment to explore the impacts of systems (family, school, work) in your life. I utilize various therapeutic models, including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Narrative therapy, and creative techniques such as art therapy or play therapy.

If you feel myself and/or my approach may be a good fit for you I’d love to invite you to a 15-minute free consultation to answer any questions you may have. If not, I work alongside so many wonderful clinicians and ask that you read more about them as they may be the perfect fit for you. Best wishes to you, reader.