Sean McDonough, LMHC

You may be doing your best to keep life moving while privately feeling stuck, overwhelmed, unmotivated, or unsure of yourself. Maybe you know what you “should” be doing but have difficulty following through. You may find yourself caught in the same relationship patterns, struggling with anxiety or depression, having difficulty managing attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD), working through substance use or recovery, or questioning where you are going in life. Sometimes the problem is clear. Other times, you simply know that something needs to change. I believe therapy can help you understand what is getting in the way while also helping you develop new ways of responding to the challenges in your life. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and individualized. I want to understand you as a whole person, not simply as a diagnosis or collection of symptoms. Together, we can look at what is happening in your life now, where certain patterns may have come from, and what might help you move forward. My work is rooted particularly in humanistic, existential, and Jungian perspectives. This means that therapy with me may involve exploring not only symptoms, but also your relationships, past experiences, beliefs about yourself and others, values, and the patterns that shape how you live. Some ways of thinking or coping may have developed for understandable reasons and may even have helped you at one point in your life. We can work together to understand those patterns and determine whether they still serve you. At the same time, I believe insight is most useful when it helps you make meaningful changes in your life. Depending on what you need, I integrate approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness, motivational interviewing, psychodynamic therapy, and other evidence-based interventions. For adults with ADHD, I offer a structured cognitive-behavioral approach focused on strengthening executive self-management skills. We can work directly on challenges involving time management, organization, planning, prioritizing, procrastination, getting started on tasks, and following through. We may also address patterns of thinking and emotional obstacles that make it harder to stay motivated and manage everyday responsibilities. The aim is to develop strategies you can practice and apply in your daily life, rather than simply telling you to “try harder” or “be more organized.” Relationships and self-esteem can also be important areas of our work. If you find yourself repeating painful relationship patterns, struggling to communicate your needs, worrying about rejection, or having difficulty setting boundaries, we can explore both where these patterns came from and how you might relate to others differently. If you struggle with self-worth, we can examine the experiences and beliefs that have shaped the way you see yourself while working toward a more compassionate and confident sense of self. I also have a particular interest in meaning, purpose, personal growth, and spirituality. You may be functioning reasonably well on the outside while still wondering what gives your life direction or why something feels missing. If these questions are important to you, therapy can provide a place to explore them. Spirituality can also be part of our work if you want it to be, and I respect each client's individual beliefs and worldview. You do not need to have everything figured out before coming to therapy. We can begin with whatever is bringing you in and work from there. My goal is to provide a space where you can speak honestly, better understand yourself, address what is keeping you stuck, and work toward a life that feels more intentional, meaningful, and fulfilling.

I offer in-person psychotherapy in South Deerfield, Massachusetts, as well as telehealth for clients throughout Massachusetts. I currently have weekday availability, with occasional weekend openings possible. In addition to general individual psychotherapy, I offer structured cognitive behavioral therapy () for adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) who want help strengthening executive self-management skills. This work can address challenges with organization, time management, planning, prioritizing, procrastination, task initiation, and follow-through. I welcome clients looking for practical support, as well as those interested in deeper personal exploration. Therapy is tailored to your individual needs, goals, and hopes for the process.