Christina McKay, MSCP, LMFT

Currently taking telehealth clients only

Education: I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Loyola University in Maryland, and a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from Chaminade University. I am currently a Doctoral Candidate in Psy.D Clinical Psychology Program at the Hawai’i School of Professional Psychology.

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Experience:  I have over 12 years of experience working with youth and families in a variety of contexts. I specialize in child therapy and use a wide range of modalities including play therapy, talk therapy, art therapy, and narrative therapy. I also enjoy working with struggling teens and parents of all types (single parents, adoptive parents, parents working towards reunification, and parents who just need a little extra help). My experience includes working with traumatized and at-risk youth, parents struggling with substance dependence, and divorced or single parents. I take pride in providing a thorough assessment and diagnostic process before providing therapy to accompany the recommendations. I am certified in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy and Child Maltreatment, and have worked for the judicial system recommending treatment modalities to families involved with Family Court. 

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Beliefs:  I believe that there are no “bad” children or “bad” parents. Instead, there are symptoms of deeper issues that appear in families through behavioral issues, marital distress, and overall family system dysfunction. My goal is to help heal the areas of each family that are hurting; whether it be on an individual or familial level. Through thorough, individualized assessment and supportive understanding, my sole aim is to strengthen relationships within the family system.

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Approach:  I am a family systems therapist with roots in attachment theory. I take a trauma-informed, mindfulness-based approach with my clients. Fundamentally, I believe that when our basic needs of safety, security, and healthy relationships are unmet, it impacts our perception of the world. I strive to create a safe, open, accepting, and collaborative space to allow for healing and growth to form secure attachments and a restored sense of safety in the world.

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PCIT: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an empirically supported intervention that has been found to be an effective intervention for numerous behavioral and emotional issues. This treatment modality specifically focuses on decreasing externalizing child behavior problems such as defiance or aggression, increasing child social skills and cooperation, and improving the parent-child relationship. PCIT is the only evidence-based practice in which the parent and child are treated together throughout the course of treatment, and is great for working with children ages 2-7. There are modifications for specific populations and it can be used as prevention (for externalizing problems, child maltreatment, and developmental delays.  

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Clients: Children, Parent-Child, Families, Individuals aged 2+.

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Fees: $125/hour, sliding scale. I accept HMSA, UHA, HMAA, and Tricare West

• Depression

• Adoption/Family of Origin

• Relationship Difficulties

• Life Transitions

• Difficulties with Self-Esteem

• Eating Issues

• Parenting

• Neuro atypical children

• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs)

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

• Professional/Career Issues

• College/Graduate School Issues

• Stress Management

• Sexual Abuse

• Spirituality

• Gender Identity Support

• LGBT Counseling

• Grief, Loss, or Bereavement

• Other Issues