Natasha McLain, BS
Marriage & Family Therapy student intern
Hi, my name is Natasha McLain (she/her) and I am a student professional intern working under Donna Atkinson, LMFT. I am in my second year of Southern Connecticut State University’s Marriage and Family Therapy Program. I use a developmental, person-centered, solution-informed approach to therapy. I believe that the client is an expert in their own experience. I work to help you determine your needs, goals, and ways to achieve them. In helping you identify what matters to you (and what doesn’t), we will work to identify, explore, intervene, and repair any parts where you feel healing is required. What matters to you, matters to me.
Navigating our life experiences from birth to now can be challenging and deeply rewarding. Depending on what you need, we will use a variety of developmentally based systems therapies to examine learned behaviors and communication styles so you can choose more of what works for you and less of what does not. Emotionally focused family therapy, attachment theory, and interpersonal neurobiology will help us find ways to promote healthy, rewarding relationships, restore and improve meaningful connections, and access resilience in our lives. Also, to resolve parts of your past where needs were poorly met in early experiences, using reparative therapies, I will help you reshape, heal, and repair the past to reveal and explore your unique personhood, purpose, and meaning.
Lastly, I aim to help you answer your “miracle question”. If you woke tomorrow and your life felt right and your own, what would be new and different? In therapy, we will work to understand that question and develop strategies for making your vision a reality. Sometimes, people feel stuck or think life is happening without their consent. I believe everyone possesses the resources to unstick themselves, and helping uncover those abilities attracted me to the field of marriage and family therapy. Solution-focused and strategic family therapies provide a blueprint for regaining control of one’s life. Whether the identified goals are long or short-term, focusing on the potential solutions, and the client’s self-efficacy can help in the achievement of them. When so many variables in life are beyond our control, regaining confidence in our abilities and strengths can help create your desired future.
I am excited to meet you and create your vision for your life.
A Little More About Me
When I am not with clients, I am most likely digging for worms with my two boys, ages two and seven. Or being a “crazy plant lady” who loves planting, propagating, and tending to my many, many plants. I have a deep passion for exploring new places and cultures, including cuisine. When I am not in the garden or abroad, I can be found thrifting at Goodwill with a true crime podcast in my earbuds.
