Carrie McMahon, MA, LPCC
As a therapist, coach, and holder of sacred space, I weave together my knowledge of human psychology and of the physical body with studies in creative practice, spirituality, yoga, transpersonal breathwork, and expanded states of awareness. Together, these perspectives inform a holistic approach to well-being that honors the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of health.
My goal is to support my clients in their own journeys, empowering them through self-discovery, recognizing personal strengths, cultivating self-compassion, adopting beneficial self-care practices, and building good social health through strong connection to others.
My background includes undergraduate degrees in Fine Arts and Nursing and a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Additional trainings include Pain Reprocessing Therapy, VITAL Psychedelic Practitioner, Innertrek Psychedelic Facilitator, Psychedelic Studies Intensive with Zach Leary, Journey Clinical KAP Provider, EMDR Practitioner, and Integrative Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC-approved).
My Story
My interest in the field of mental health emerged through a profound merging of personal and professional experiences.
On a personal level, I’ve lived through seasons of profound change, and I’ve seen how transformative mental health care can be—both in the lives of people I love and in my own. During some of the most difficult transitions of my life, therapy offered a space where I could finally see the patterns I had been carrying for years. I began to understand the stories I told myself, the ones that kept me small or guarded, and slowly learned to release the beliefs that had weighed on me much of my life.
As I grew more honest with myself, I started recognizing how these patterns were shaping my relationships and the way I moved through the world. That awareness didn’t come easily; there were moments when the work felt raw and painful. But each step opened the possibility of relating to myself with more compassion and choosing new ways of showing up in my life. Committing to that process—especially during moments when everything felt uncertain—changed me. It helped me navigate transition with more clarity, deepen my connection to myself, and create a life that feels far more aligned with my authentic Self.
My experience with non-ordinary states has also been an avenue through which I have come to know my Self on a deeper level. I have found connection to my inner world, community with others, and deepened my understanding of connection to this amazing creation to which we all belong. These experiences have continually invited me to shed old assumptions, trust my inner guidance, and meet my own becoming with greater humility and openness.
Professionally, in my time as a registered nurse of 17 years, I became increasingly aware of the limitations of a conventional healthcare model. I saw people suffering within a system that often operated reactively—a model focused primarily on disease management and short-term solutions rather than prevention, resilience, and the cultivation of true well-being. The emphasis was often placed heavily on the physical body, leaving less room to address the mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of a person’s experience. Over time, I began to recognize that I was being drawn toward a different way of supporting others—one that honored the whole person and recognized the interconnectedness of body, mind, emotions, and spirit.
Chronic Pain
My experience with pain has changed my life. It came on suddenly, without any acute injury or identifiable structural cause, and following a particularly difficult and emotionally demanding period in my life. What began as a mild, dull ache quickly progressed to debilitating pain. It brought my life to a standstill and forced me to begin listening to my body in a way I never had before.
In spite of years of personal work and having a relatively high degree of self-awareness, this was different. I had been existing in a chronically heightened state of nervous system reactivity, completely unaware. It became clear to me that many of the ways that I had been navigating my life were no longer serving me—and, in retrospect, probably hadn’t been for some time. My body had been attempting to get my attention for a long time and I wasn't listening. I think maybe I didn't even know how to listen.
I initially sought help through conventional channels: orthopedics, pain management, spinal specialists, had injections with no relief, and considered more invasive treatments like nerve ablation and spinal surgery. I tried a range of alternative healing modalities, also with minimal relief.
Through a serendipitous encounter, I was introduced to the world of mind-body medicine. That introduction changed the course of my life, both personally and professionally. I immersed myself in learning about mind-body concepts and pain recovery. Learning about the mind-body connection did not mean that my pain was imagined or ‘all in my head.’ It gave me a more expansive understanding of how pain, the nervous system, emotions, and lived experience can interact. I sought out mind-body practitioners for help and eventually, with time and lots of guidance, support, and encouragement from my treatment team, I recovered completely from my pain.
Life continues to present me with new and unexpected challenges to continue growing and learning about myself and learning to love and care for myself. It may sound strange, but I am eternally grateful for my pain experience and what
it has taught me!
My life experience has shaped how I understand healing. I know what it is to feel disconnected from oneself, to search for answers, and to wonder whether meaningful recovery is possible. My work is now to help others develop a different relationship with their bodies, their nervous systems, and themselves—and to discover their own capacity for transformation and engagement in life.
If you’re ready to deepen your relationship with yourself and discover new possibilities for your life, I invite you to connect with me!
