Maggie McCarthy, LCSW

Maggie McCarthy, LCSW

Located at 8949 Manchester - Brentwood, MO

Meet Maggie

My mission is to foster a nurturing environment for connection, self-exploration, and recovery. I recognize the courage it takes to confront our truths, and I strive to normalize and embrace the traits and experiences that shape our identities. Self-awareness and self-acceptance are powerful catalysts for meaningful change and growth. While diagnosis is essential for effective treatment, I acknowledge that labels can sometimes feel limiting. I view diagnosis as a tool for self-awareness and reflection. In my therapeutic approach, I integrate DBT, ACT, and CBT to provide you with the tools to navigate life's challenges while honoring the complexity of your experiences and emotions. Life is nonlinear, and our thoughts and emotions don't always fit neatly into categories. I'm here to support you in exploring, accepting, and understanding yourself at every stage of your journey.

In addition to my specialties in anxiety, depression, and severe mental illness, I offer specialized counseling for individuals struggling with disordered eating and the complex interplay between mental health and diet. I provide a compassionate and nonjudgmental space where clients can explore their relationship with food, address harmful patterns, and cultivate a healthier mindset towards eating and body image. Drawing from evidence-based approaches and my clinical expertise, I empower clients to develop sustainable strategies for nourishing their bodies and minds. Additionally, I offer support tailored to athletes, addressing the unique psychological challenges they may encounter in their pursuit of peak performance and well-being.

Specialities

  • Aging
  • Anxiety
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Chronic Illness
  • College Students
  •  Depression
  • Disordered Eating
  • Grief and Loss
  • Life Transitions
  • Schizoaffective Disorder
  • Schizophrenia
  • Severe Mental Illness

     

Licensure and Education

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  • Master of Social Work Saint Louis University- 2020
  • Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy Webster University- 2017

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and completed my MSW at Saint Louis University in August of 2020.I received my Bachelor of Arts from Webster University in 2017. My studies focused on issues of identity, morality, and human flourishing. My undergraduate education propelled me into the field of mental health and social work. I continued my education in an MSW program with an emphasis on clinical mental health. My academic experiences grounded me in humanism and virtue ethics, with a firm belief that we are all capable of self- actualization and growth. I studied the biopsychosocial theory of mental illness and recovery, realizing that identity and potential are byproducts of our biology, psychology, and socio-environmental factors. Many of our current behaviors and emotions are the direct result of events or relationships that made us powerless.

While we cannot change the past, we can reclaim it by identifying the relationships, unique traits and environments that shape us today. My educational experiences provide me with a unique therapeutic lens that makes space for exploring both macro and micro issues and their impact on wellness. 

Work Experience

  • Provident Behavioral Health-Suicide Prevention Hotline and Crisis Line  - Crisis Intervention Specialist and Clinician)
  • Barnes Jewish Hospital - Emergency Department and Inpatient Psychiatry Social Worker
  • Washington University School of Medicine - Clinical Research Coordinator 

My professional experiences range from research and grant writing to inpatient psychiatry. My prior position as an Inpatient Psychiatry social worker allowed me to support individuals experiencing severe and persistent mental illness. My patients were often in the midst of complex legal, medical, and social problems. I collaborated with psychiatrists and other medical professionals to coordinate treatment and appropriate outpatient services. Most importantly, I provided emotional support and ensured that each patient had a voice. Thanks to this experience, I am familiar with the challenges of living with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) and bring this knowledge to my therapy practice. 

I have also worked as a crisis intervention specialist and clinician for Provident Crisis Services. I answered calls for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the Disaster and Distress Helpline, often de-escalating and supporting callers with active plans for suicide and self- harm. I was trained in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills (ASIST) and am well versed in suicide risk assessment and safety planning.