Eamonn McKay

I have experience in treating many psychological disorders - including depression, anxiety, and adjustment to life events - and my current focus is trauma, including providing therapy for survivors of pathologically abusive relationships (relationships in which at least one partner has a personality disorder, and the relationship is noted for dramatic and erratic behaviours), and for survivors of religious trauma, which can include events such as the difficult act of losing faith; ostracism; being disowned by friends, family, and a community; and seeking to find new sources of joy moving forward (and they do exist beyond religion!)

My preferred models of trauma intervention include Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). I am also certified in Narcissistic Abuse Survivor Treatment through the Institute For Relational Harm Reduction.

I am licensed to practice in the UK and in two states in the US, California and Pennsylvania. 

**I am not currently accepting clients from the UK,** however I am happy to speak with anyone who may wish to seek guidance in connecting with a UK-based therapist, particularly with those seeking help with emotional abuse in the context of a relationship (romantic relationship or parent / child / family relationships), or with religious / spiritual abuse.

Welcome to my website! I am a psychotherapist licensed in California (LMFT 81028), Pennsylvania (MF001303), and I am also a member of the British Association for Counseling and Psychotherapy.

I was born and raised in Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland, and it was there where I first qualified as a therapist and where my interest in trauma developed. I had the privilege of helping establish one of the province’s first charities providing services to male survivors of intimate partner violence. I moved to the US in 2003, and qualified first as a therapist in California, working in both private practice and in the psychiatry department of a large medical services provider.

I have experience in treating many psychological disorders - including depression, relationship and couples issues, anxiety, and adjustment to life events - and my areas of particular interest currently are all trauma-focused. These include providing therapy for survivors of pathologically abusive relationships (relationships in which at least one partner has a personality disorder, and the relationship is noted for dramatic and erratic behaviours), and for survivors of religious trauma, which can include events such as the difficult act of losing faith; ostracism; being disowned by friends, family, and a community; and seeking to find new sources of joy moving forward (and they do exist beyond religion!)

My preferred models of trauma intervention include Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). I am also certified in Narcissistic Abuse Survivor Treatment through the Institute For Relational Harm Reduction.

In Ireland we have a saying: In every life a little rain must fall. And this is true for most of us, that we will experience adversity, tensions, relationship or work stress, questions about who are, who we think we should be, and how to get there. And yes, it’s not unusual for us to struggle with challenges about which we know very little, only that we “feel off”, or “I can’t quite put my finger on it…”

Often though, our challenges are all too familiar, and they can be less “a little rain” and more of a torrent, more of struggle, and the clouds might look a little darker than we are used to. We can truly, truly struggle at times, and begin to feel that the future looks hopeless. But it is in these moments exactly when therapy can help.

Therapy is not a one one-size-fits-all endeavour, though most therapists will use the same handful of evidence-based therapies, including:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) - how our thoughts affect our actions and perceptions;

Psychodynamic Therapy - the process of understanding how our early years and life experiences have brought us to where we are today.

- therapist.com

Further, many therapists will use models of therapy that are particular to their specialties - such as I do in my trauma work - including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Further, I also use a model of therapy specific to the treatment of survivors of relationships in which a partner has displayed the traits of a personality disorder, such as Narcissistic Personality Disorder, or Borderline Personality Disorder. I am certified through The Institute of Relational Harm Reduction in Narcissistic Abuse Survivor Treatment.

Finding a therapist who fits your needs can take time, and therapists are only too happy to connect with potential clients and discuss the services we offer, with the focus on if we will be a good fit. Please click the link below and we can arrange a time to speak about your therapy needs.