Mackenzie Pollitt

Many people come to therapy feeling ashamed for struggling, convinced they should be coping better by now. Anxiety, overwhelm, ADHD, and self-criticism can make it hard to be kind to yourself. This is a space where those struggles are met with understanding and support that fits with how your mind works.

For clients with ADHD, therapy often involves more than learning skills, it’s about undoing years of feeling “too much,” “not enough,” or constantly behind. As a certified ADHD Clinical Service Provider, I will support you in understanding your ADHD with compassion and making sense of emotional overwhelm, rumination, and motivation challenges. Whether you are newly diagnosed or have been navigating symptoms for years, I am here to support your success and help you identify your strengths to start working with yourself, rather than against.

I have a special interest in supporting students navigating the pressures of academic life. Juggling school responsibilities alongside social, family, and work expectations can be draining. I will give you tools to cope with academic demands, explore your identity, needs and values, and create a space that fosters the resilience you need to manage both the student-life and life beyond study.

My work also extends to men who may find it difficult to talk about their mental health or ask for help. Many men experience anxiety, stress, emotional overload, or shame while feeling pressure to cope alone or “stay strong”. This work focuses on understanding what is going on beneath the surface by building emotional awareness, and developing practical ways to manage stress, relationships and self-expectations.

I don’t believe in “one-size-fits-all” approaches to counselling and use an eclectic approach, tailoring my methods to suit your distinct needs. With 6 years of experience in the mental health field, I primarily draw from Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and strengths-based approaches. For those searching for a unique therapy experience, or who have felt limited by traditional talk therapy, I bring in Art therapy informed interventions. Creative activities engage a different part of the brain and offer new entry points to experiences and emotions which can bring deeper awareness and a lighter, more spacious feel to therapy.

If you’ve been carrying anxiety, self-doubt, or constant pressure for a long time, it makes sense that you’re tired. My intention is that therapy be a place to set some of that weight down, even if you’re not sure where to start. I would be honored to work alongside you towards meaningful self-understanding and self-acceptance.