Healing occurs in large part because of the relationship you have with your therapist
I value an approach that involves understanding all that played a part in creating and molding you into who you are today. I aim to create a safe space for connection and insight. It is not your fault that you are struggling; I want to help you know and believe that too.
Mackenzie L. Ayers, MSW, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Psychotherapist & Owner, The Healing Connection, LLC
About Me
Mackenzie Ayers, MSW, LCSW, earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University where she was awarded the Anne Fischer scholarship for her promise as a clinician working with youth and families. She received her Bachelor’s Degree, also in Social Work, graduating from George Mason University, summa cum laude.
Mackenzie has a passion for social work’s approach to understanding the contexts in which emotional struggles and mental illnesses develop. During her studies, Mackenzie’s experience and training focused on providing trauma-focused treatment to survivors of childhood trauma and their families. Mackenzie’s post-graduate work included specialized training and experience in treating eating disorders. Professionally, Mackenzie has experience working in the outpatient, intensive in-home, residential, and inpatient levels of care treating children, adolescents, and adults with various interpersonal and emotional struggles.
Mackenzie has received post-graduate training in Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Emotion Focused Therapy.
In her work, Mackenzie pulls from psychodynamic, trauma-informed, and humanistic approaches to therapy while implementing techniques and interventions from parts work like TIST and IFS, somatic awareness, distress tolerance skills, shame-resilience work, and compassion-focused interventions. Mackenzie prides herself in beginning where her clients are, building rapport, and creating corrective experiences in the therapeutic relationship.
Mackenzie adheres to Health at Every Size ® and Intuitive Eating in her work. An important component of Mackenzie’s therapeutic work is involving loved ones in her clients’ care. Mackenzie has experience leading caregiver support groups as well as family and couples therapy. Further, Mackenzie has led a variety of groups, webinars, and trainings focused on trauma, eating disorders, body image, emotional regulation, and shame and vulnerability.
Mackenzie is an active volunteer and in this capacity has spoken to and led groups for individuals, treatment providers, schools, families, and religious groups about mental health and recovery. In her free time Mackenzie enjoys dancing, exploring nature, traveling, and spending time with her husband and three children.