Russell MacKay

(LCMHC, NCC, SSW)
Therapist Russell MacKay Photo

About Me

Hi, I'm Russ and I am a licensed clinical mental health counselor and an EMDR practitioner. Some of my specialties include: strengthening relationships, assisting clients through difficult life transitions, supporting adolescents and working with those suffering from anxiety, parenting issues and PTSD. Some of my valuable experience includes working as a clinician with teen girls and boys in a residential setting focusing on trauma related disorders, attachment, self mutilation/cutting, sexual identity and the LGBTQ community. I have over 19 years of experience in the field. I acquired my BS in psychology from BYU and my MA in Counseling Psychology from National University of Phoenix. I am currently pursuing a Doctorate in counselor education and supervision.

My counseling style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating anyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. My approach combines Solution Focused, Person Centered and CBT counseling with Mindfulness techniques. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. If you are ready to take that step I am here to support and empower you.

You are welcome to message me anytime through Better Help. I usually check messages 1-2 times a day, 5 days per week. I offer messaging, live chat and phone sessions with limited availability in the evenings and weekends. Please note that what you see in my calendar may not reflect my only availability so you always want to check that out with me through messaging first. I look forward to working with you.


I look forward to working with you!

Specialties

  • Stress, Anxiety
  • Relationship issues
  • Family conflicts
  • Trauma and abuse
  • Depression
Also experienced in:
Addictions , LGBT , Grief , Intimacy-related issues , Parenting issues , Anger management , Self esteem , Career difficulties , Coping with life changes , Coaching , Compassion fatigue , ADHD
Years of Experience: 3

Services Offered


  • Messaging

  • Live Chat

  • Phone

  • Video

Licensing

LCMHC #5935490-6004 (Expires: 2022-09-30)

Reviews

Written by K.A. on Sep 18, 2021 after counseling with Russell for 1 month on issues concerning family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and coping with life changes

It is awesome to find a therapist who listens, supports and validates. Russ quickly understands the issue and is often able to provide a perspective I haven’t thought of yet. He offers some solutions and practical strategies for dealing with the stuff I bring to the session.

Written by M.I. on Sep 14, 2021 after counseling with Russell for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, and coping with life changes

Russell has been shockingly helpful! I cant believe how far I have come in just a month. He really is doing a great job

Written by S.O. on Aug 27, 2021 after counseling with Russell for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, self esteem, and adhd

I love working with Russell. He’s helped me get through some really tough things I didn’t want to deal with for years. He made it all bearable and has given me my first amazing experience with therapy.

Written by N.A. on Aug 26, 2021 after counseling with Russell for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, and career difficulties

Russell MacKay has been very helpful in helping me to heal and cope with a stressful time in my life. He has been giving me tools to help navigate life. He has listened and not negated any of my strong feelings. I love the convenience of talking online. I can message when I’m available or in the middle of very strong emotions. It feels less intimidating for me to message online as well with my hard emotions because I dont have to say it to someone’s face. Signing up has been a great decision for me.

Written by A.M. on Jul 18, 2021 after counseling with Russell for 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, and trauma and abuse

Russell is amazing. He provides me with insightful, useful advice and I always feel like it’s personal and catered to my specific experience. I believe he understands what I’m dealing with and really cares about helping me.

Written by K.A. on Jul 15, 2021 after counseling with Russell for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and career difficulties

Russell truly makes me feel hear and seen. He knows how to center the conversation around my needs and asks all the right questions!

Written by L.Y. on Jun 13, 2021 after counseling with Russell for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, and self esteem

I like talking to Russell Mackay because he just listens. I don't always need someone to agree with me or argue with me, it's just nice to feel heard

Written by S.I. on May 16, 2021 after counseling with Russell for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, coaching, and adhd

Russell helped me understand what needs to happen next and do it, instead of dwelling on my issues. He is helping me with my relationship especially with communication but also with figuring out what I truly want or need. He was very quick to respond. Thank you Russell.

Written by B.O. on Apr 07, 2021 after counseling with Russell for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, and trauma and abuse

He's kind, he listens, he cares.

Written by M.C. on Mar 26, 2021 after counseling with Russell for 11 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, and self esteem

Russ is so kind and I cannot speak highly enough about him. I feel like he really listens and understands me and what I need help with. I don’t know where I’d be without his help!

Written by K.E. on Jan 26, 2021 after counseling with Russell for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, self esteem, career difficulties, and coaching

Russell, has done great work for me. He is an excellent counselor and a good listener. I am extremely happy with my match with Russell. He has offered great resources in the context of my needs and the expertise he's offered has helped me resolve, renew and begin work on my personal goals. I highly recommend Russell.

Written by L.A. on Jan 26, 2021 after counseling with Russell for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, self esteem, coping with life changes, and adhd

I feel like he hears me and is able to address all my concerns and give me solutions. I’m going on five months so far. I have found it to be very helpful and comforting that I can just pull out my phone message him and know that he will respond in a day or less.

Written by A.L. on Jan 20, 2021 after counseling with Russell for 1 month on issues concerning relationship issues, and anger management

I appreciate Russell for the opportunity to have a safe place to voice my concerns and help me with my well-being.

Written by J.E. on Jan 19, 2021 after counseling with Russell for 3 weeks on issues concerning family conflicts, parenting issues, and compassion fatigue

I found Russell to be incredibly supportive and easy to talk to. Additionally, I really appreciated the thoughtful questions. I would highly recommend his work.

Written by E.R. on Jan 16, 2021 after counseling with Russell for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and adhd

Russell is very friendly and knowledgeable.

Written by K.I. on Jan 14, 2021 after counseling with Russell for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, and adhd

Russell has taken the time to understand my concerns and has properly addressed them. During the belief time I've been communicating with Russell, he has helped me in various ways.

Written by J.A. on Dec 09, 2020 after counseling with Russell for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, and trauma and abuse

Russell has been extremely helpful in determining the root causes of my behavior. He always is listening and provides insight at the right time. I feel I can rely on him to share his thoughts about my issues in a timely manner. I trust he understands my predicament.

Written by B.L. on Oct 12, 2020 after counseling with Russell for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, grief, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and coaching

Russell has been fantastic to work with. Because of COVID, a terminally ill brother, and some marriage issues, my life felt like I was drowning. Russell was calm and very responsive. He had great advice and gave me some tools to help me through my tough times. He's always giving me amazing advice in a very complicated situation. I highly recommend him.

Written by M.I. on Oct 09, 2020 after counseling with Russell for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, self esteem, and adhd

Russell is amazing. I feel heard and supported and he also asks just the right questions. I've already had so many great realizations. I feel like my growth and progress has accelerated in the short time we've worked together and I look forward to working with him for a while.

Written by C.O. on Oct 07, 2020 after counseling with Russell for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes

Russell has been helping me through an extremely difficult time in my life. I was hesitant of the online messaging system but Russell has taken it upon himself to even check in on me if he hasn't heard from me in a while.

Written by J.A. on Sep 30, 2020 after counseling with Russell for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, coaching, and adhd

Russell is an awesome therapist. He really helped me through some hard times and was able to give me the confidence I needed to keep going. He is very kind and always available. I would 100% recommend him to anyone who needs a really quality therapist.

Written by M.E. on Sep 12, 2020 after counseling with Russell for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, and coping with life changes

Russell has been positive, engaging and helpful from the start. He completely and thoroughly addresses my concerns and does not limit my, oftentimes, lengthy explanation of my history while we build this initial relationship. He has identified key issues he feels will be most beneficial to start working on. In addition he has suggested supplemental helps by way of meditations and additional reading. He seems very knowledgeable in a vast arena of mental health issues.

Russ has helped me more, in two weeks time through this virtual program, than I was in months with my previous therapy. I would recommend him to anyone that is looking for therapy and feel that his attention to detail and needs far outweigh the cost of this affordable therapy.

Written by B.R. on Aug 30, 2020 after counseling with Russell for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and self esteem

I've only been communicating with Russell for about 2 weeks but I feel like he is more understanding and helpful to me than previous counselors I have met with. He seems extremely knowledgeable in the issues I am having and knows how to help me.

Written by A.M. on Aug 21, 2020 after counseling with Russell for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, and adhd

I have only worked with him for a couple of weeks. but in those couple of weeks I have noticed that the questions he asks me I actually have to think about the answers period and it is digging deep into what could be wrong with me. I feel as though he will be very helpful in my road to recovery.

Written by C.O. on Aug 10, 2020 after counseling with Russell for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, compassion fatigue, and adhd

He is great at matching a mood, and does well at leading the conversation

Written by E.R. on Jul 29, 2020 after counseling with Russell for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety

Caring, understanding, patient, and always checks in to see how you are doing. Honestly, his advice and his caring attitude has helped me a lot(:

Written by T.A. on Jul 29, 2020 after counseling with Russell for 5 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, self esteem, and adhd

He's been fantastic! I have a hard time remembering to respond but he still checks in frequently and seems to genuinely care for my well being

Written by M.O. on Jun 07, 2020 after counseling with Russell for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and self esteem

Had a couple sessions with Russel and been chatting via text. He is very attentive and helpful. I feel comfortable opening up and talking with Russel and looking forward to see how it goes on moving forward.

Written by H.E. on Jun 06, 2020 after counseling with Russell for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, parenting issues, and bipolar disorder

The rapid response by Russell and the follow up was excellent. The various ways to connect and seek counseling with this app are quite helpful. I would continue with this therapist. Having Covid about in the community makes this process helpful. I have always thought having a therapist available to someone where that person resides, rather than going into an office feels more in tune with my need. But everyone is different. Thank you for your help.

Written by S.P. on Apr 06, 2020 after counseling with Russell for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, coping with life changes, and coaching

Russell MacKay has helped me through one of the most trying times of my life. He is patient and understanding and helps me to view things in a manner I hadn’t thought of before. He responds back very timely and I have never felt any bias or judgement from him in our discussions. I feel confident that I will be able to take valuable skills from our discussions to improve myself and my relationship.

Written by C.H. on Mar 20, 2020 after counseling with Russell for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, self esteem, anger management, coaching, and compassion fatigue

Russell MacKay honestly has helped me realize a lot of things I would of never been able to figure out on my own and sense I’ve been talking to him on better help I’ve felt my anxiety slowly get less and less and I love it

Written by A.N. on Feb 23, 2020 after counseling with Russell for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, and relationship issues

Russell is very good on responding on a timely manner, he makes me feel he understands me and has my best interest, but mostly that he is trying to help me and paying attention to me. He has made me discover things I hadn’t paid attention about myself and really went into a deeper therapy than any other counselor has which makes me think he knows very well what he is doing. I highly recommend him.