Professional Credentials & Education
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC): State of Colorado.
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Northwestern University (A top-tier clinical program renowned for psychodynamic excellence).
- B.S. in Managerial Economics (Minor in Psychology): University of California, Davis. This background allows McKenna to bring an organized, practical, and values-based lens to her clinical work.
Specialized Clinical Focus
- EMDR Trained Therapist: Specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing to treat PTSD, anxiety, and complex life stressors. EMDRIA certification in process.
- IFS (Internal Family Systems): Level 1 training in process through the IFS Institute, deepening her ability to work with the internal system of parts that shape how we think, feel, and protect ourselves.
- Psychodynamic & Integrative Theory: Advanced training in uncovering how early life experiences and the unconscious mind influence current behavioral loops.
- Trauma-Informed Care: Expertise in stabilizing and reprocessing traumatic memories to reduce high-acuity emotional triggers.
- Relational & Attachment Science: Helping individuals and couples break cycles of codependency and self-limiting beliefs.
McKenna – In Her Own Words
Based in Lakewood, Colorado, McKenna Mesak provides counseling for adults and couples, with a focus on trauma, anxiety, grief, infidelity, and relationship challenges.
“I believe healing happens when we move beyond symptom management and start understanding what is happening beneath the surface. My training at Northwestern shaped how I look at patterns, how past experiences can influence the way we think, feel, and relate today. Whether you are moving through grief, anxiety, or painful relationship cycles, my goal is to help you feel more grounded and build a life rooted in authenticity, connection, and self-trust.”
The Challenge: Feeling Weighed Down by What You Have Lived Through
Anxiety, depression, and low self-worth can make life feel heavier than it should. You might feel stuck in loops, overwhelmed by emotion, or unsure how to make choices that truly reflect your values. When these patterns have been around for a long time, it can start to feel like this is “just how it is.”
The Solution: Insight, Structure, and Compassionate Support
In therapy with me, you will find a steady, thoughtful space to explore your story without judgment. I blend psychodynamic insight (understanding the roots of patterns) with practical, values-based strategies you can actually use. When it is a fit for your goals, I also use EMDR to help process trauma and reduce how much the past shows up in the present.
The Result: More Resilience, Clarity, and Self-Trust
Over time, many clients feel more steady in their emotions, more confident in their decisions, and more connected in their relationships. The goal is not to erase what you have been through, but to help it hold less power over your day-to-day life so you can move forward with more meaning and freedom.
My Approach
I focus on building emotional regulation and boundaries so you can respond instead of react. Together we explore how earlier experiences shaped your self-image, relationships, and coping strategies. When appropriate, I use EMDR to help painful memories feel less stuck so your nervous system can settle and healing can move forward. Throughout our work, we clarify what matters to you and practice choices that come from clarity and self-respect rather than fear, guilt, or obligation.
Experience: Where Depth Meets Practicality
McKenna’s work is shaped by both clinical training and real-world experience supporting people through difficult transitions. With a degree in Managerial Economics, she brings a clear, structured way of thinking that many clients appreciate, especially when emotions feel confusing or hard to untangle. Her training at Northwestern emphasized careful assessment, depth work, and evidence-informed practice. She is skilled at identifying the patterns underneath chronic anxiety and low self-worth, not just offering quick fixes. McKenna’s early work included community-based care with individuals experiencing homelessness and complex mental health needs, which informs her grounded, practical approach in therapy today.
More than just her work: When McKenna is not working with clients, you can find her skiing, hiking, spending quality time with friends, trying new restaurants and (happily) being a ‘stand-in dog mom’ for loved ones!
