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Dr. Emily McGrath

Welcome! I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Pasadena, CA. My telehealth services are available for California residents.  

I have a Ph.D. from UCLA and provide a wide range of therapeutic services, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. My office is conveniently located to Pasadena and South Pasadena, La Canada, Altadena, Sierra Madre and San Marino.

About

About Dr. Emily McGrath

I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with a Ph.D. from UCLA. As part of my graduate education I completed a specialty training year in UCSD's Counseling and Psychological Services working with college and graduate students. After earning my doctoral degree, I completed a three year postdoctoral fellowship focusing on interventions for teens and young adults through UCLA's Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. I specialized in the treatment of mood disorders and finding ways to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and other strategies that are proven to be effective. Prior to working full time in private practice, I was a Clinical Instructor at UCLA's School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry. I also worked as Senior Vice President at Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services, overseeing the agency's Quality, Clinical Training and Evidence-Based Practices.

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My Approach

My Treatment Approach

My treatment approach is grounded in the principles of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and is focused on helping people succeed at school, work, and home to achieve their short and long-term goals. CBT focuses on an individual's thoughts, behaviors and feelings and works to re-organize thinking patterns that may interfere with emotional and behavioral health. My focus is primarily on helping people build the lives they desire in the present and future, rather than focusing too heavily on the past. During the therapeutic process I work collaboratively with clients to assess their needs, build on strengths, and foster strong relationships. I also offer support for parents and families who may be struggling. 

 

Therapy may be of great benefit not only to help you through a difficult time, but also to help build the life you truly desire. I am committed to providing a trusting, safe, and confidential environment in our work together. I understand it may be scary to reach out for help, and my hope is to make the first step as easy as possible. While my credentials are established and well respected, I am most often appreciated for my casual, warm personality and my inviting and comfortable private practice work space. I am also valued for my ability to connect with teens or adults who have tried other therapists, but have not felt a strong connection to the therapist or have not been able to achieve their treatment goals.

Areas of Focus

Areas of Focus

As a Clinical Psychologist, my experienced assessment and treatment approach includes the following primary areas of focus:

  • Problem Solving

  • Strategies for Coping with Stress

  • Relationship Building

  • Social Support

  • Spirituality

  • Career and Work Decisions

  • Teen and Young Adult Development

  • Anxiety

  • Life Coaching

  • Depression and Mood Disorders

  • Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity

  • Obsessive Compulsive Behaviors

  • Parenting and Parent-Adolescent Relationships

  • Peer Rejection

  • Loneliness

  • Academic Challenges (e.g., Procrastination & Performance Anxiety)

Contact
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