Justin McGahan
he/him
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
LMFT 98948
Master of Arts, Holistic Counseling Psychology; Doctor of Philosophy, Clinical Psychology
Effective therapy is both challenging and nourishing. It helps you understand your thoughts, motivations, and feelings so that you can move through what’s in the way of your freedom and contentment in relationships, helping you find meaning and develop self-confidence.
I am a holistic therapist who works with individuals and couples to address transparency and truth, developing conscious relationships, effective communication, trauma, life purpose, career and relationship transitions, or the general feeling of stuckness or that life isn’t what it could be.
I excel with people that are interested in self-knowledge, transforming their relationships with an open and honest approach, and developing an ability to understand their romantic partner's perspectives and motivations.
I have been into personal growth work for over a decade, developing myself so that I can fully appreciate and enjoy life without my issues and discomfort getting in the way. I'm in nature as much as possible—mountain biking, backpacking, & paddle boarding. I also garden, do woodworking, and play a few instruments.
I have a master’s degree in holistic counseling from John F Kennedy University with a specialization in transpersonal therapy. My thesis was on the effect of mindfulness on therapist efficacy. I hold a PhD in clinical psychology from Saybrook University with a specialization in humanistic-existential therapy. My dissertation topic was the personal growth experience of polyamorous individuals.
Additionally, an interest in fitness and nutrition led me to become a personal trainer and obtain a graduate certificate in nutrition from Cornell University. I'm also certified in EMDR.
My style is warm and supportive but frank with my perspective. I value authenticity in my relationships. You can expect me to be open and straightforward with you. I'll be asking you a lot of questions and it's reasonable for you to expect that I answer your questions as well. This allows for mutual trust with which we can explore what might be uncertain or difficult for you to figure out alone.
I use a combination of talk therapy, practices to increase awareness, and EMDR to help people effectively heal and engage in personal growth—which likely includes increased self-understanding, meaning-making, presence, and skillful communication.
My values include:
Reinvention of our orientation toward romantic relationship
Self-understanding, awareness, and authenticity
Effective communication
Approaching life with intentionality and purpose
Self-confidence
Allyship and acknowledging privilege
Freedom from shame and trauma
Intellectual exploration of philosophy and the subjective experience
- Young Adult: 18-25
- Adults: 25-65
- Individuals
- Premarital Couples
- Couples
- Persons in Polyamorous Relationships
- Men
- Persons in Polyamorous Relationships
- Persons Recovering from Traumatic Events/Experiences
- EMDR
- Humanistic Therapy
- Other:
Existential Therapy
I practice mindfulness personally and professionally. In therapy sessions, mindfulness allows me to better sustain open attention and attune to what is arising in you, in me, and between us. I am experienced in leading meditation and teaching mindfulness. If you are interested in learning or using mindfulness, it can be a useful tool for deeper exploration in therapy and increasing the ease of daily living.
Nature therapy sessions or individual, couple, or group backpacking trips are unconventional therapeutic modes, but some find the experience particularly valuable, especially those that feel like therapy solely in an office setting isn’t a good fit. I’ve developed a program for psychotherapy and awareness-focused wilderness expeditions into Desolation Wilderness, outside of South Lake Tahoe.
A combination of video-chat and text messaging can be also useful, especially for clients that are frequently traveling or less available for in-person office sessions.
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
$170
Yes
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445 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
- Monday Afternoon
- Monday Evening
- Tuesday Morning
- Wednesday Afternoon
- Wednesday Evening
- Thursday Morning
- Friday Afternoon
- Friday Evening
I work in my Oakland office between around 2 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Tuesday and Thursday mornings, I am available are by video-chat (e.g., Vsee or Zoom). Occasionally other times may be scheduled via video sessions.
05/05/2019