Kate MacGown

MS, CAT-LP, MT-BC # P132233

Childhood Trauma

Social Anxiety

Neurodivergence (Autism, ADHD)

Supervised By: Dina Palma, LCAT #000452

Client Focus: Children, Teens, Adults, Childhood Trauma Survivors, Neurodivergent Individuals, LGBTQ+ Community, Women

Specialties: Childhood trauma, neurodivergence (autism, ADHD), social anxiety, stress management, anxiety, depression, grief/bereavement, self-worth, life transitions, women's mental health issues, healthy communication

Treatment Methods: Music Therapy, Play Therapy, Trauma-Informed Care, Feminist Therapy, Strengths-Based Approach, Neurodivergent-Affirming Care, LGBTQ+ Affirming Care

Kate MacGown is a Limited Permit Creative Arts Therapist and Board-Certified Music Therapist who works with children, teens, and adults who are survivors of childhood trauma, regardless of how long ago it took place. She also specializes in working with neurodivergent individuals of all ages. Kate approaches therapy from a trauma-informed, feminist, and strengths-based perspective, and is neurodivergent affirming and LGBTQ+ affirming in her approach to therapy as well. When working with children, she regularly incorporates both music therapy and play therapy together during sessions, creating spaces that are engaging, accessible, and developmentally appropriate while fostering self-expression and resilience.

Her therapeutic approach prioritizes the safety of the therapy space above all else, being thorough in the process of identifying boundaries of what can and cannot be done during sessions to respect client autonomy. Kate views trauma through the perspective of asking what clients' lived experiences are rather than asking what their "problems" are in order to maintain a holistic approach to care. She strives to create a therapy space that is accommodating of any and all lived experiences. Oftentimes, neurodivergence is viewed as a "problem" to be "fixed" in therapy, but she believes that it is a facet of identity that is to be embraced and accommodated. By focusing on the strengths of her clients, Kate helps them feel empowered and capable of improving their lives and supporting themselves.

With a Master of Science (MS) degree in Music Therapy from Molloy University and experience working in medical, trauma recovery, and private practice settings, Kate brings robust clinical expertise and a humanistic perspective to her work. She believes that the best approaches to care involve viewing all aspects of clients and their lives, rather than only learning about the challenging aspects of their lives and experiences. Her hope is that working with her will allow clients to find their voices and learn to love them. They can then use their voices to build meaningful relationships with others and to advocate for themselves to get the best out of life.

Outside the therapy room, Kate is a huge animal lover. She has had pets for most of her life, and being around animals keeps her grounded, creative, and always ready for an adventure. She is also an avid reader and loves getting into a good book during her free time to fuel her imagination and help her recharge.

  • Trauma-Informed Safety First
    Kate approaches therapy from a trauma-informed perspective where the safety of the therapy space is always the most important priority. She is thorough in the process of identifying boundaries of what can and cannot be done during sessions to respect client autonomy. She views trauma through the perspective of asking what clients' lived experiences are rather than asking what their "problems" are in order to maintain a holistic approach to care.

  • Neurodivergent-Affirming Practice
    Kate approaches therapy from a neurodivergent-affirming perspective, striving to create a therapy space that is accommodating of any and all lived experiences. Oftentimes, neurodivergence is viewed as a "problem" to be "fixed" in therapy, but she believes that it is a facet of identity that is to be embraced and accommodated. This affirmation extends to all aspects of identity, including LGBTQ+ identities.

  • Strengths-Based and Humanistic
    Kate approaches therapy from a strengths-based and humanistic perspective, believing that the best approaches to care involve viewing all aspects of clients and their lives, rather than only learning about the challenging aspects. Focusing on the strengths of her clients allows her to help them feel empowered and capable of improving their lives and supporting themselves, ultimately finding their voices and learning to love them.

"I hope that working with me will allow clients to find their voices and learn to love them. They can then use their voices to build meaningful relationships with others and to advocate for themselves to get the best out of life."

- Kate MacGown, MS, CAT-LP, MT-BC