CAITLIN MCNAMARA, MA, ALMFT

Caitlin received her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Wheaton College in Spring 2022. She employs a trauma-informed approach to treatment that integrates grounding techniques, various therapeutic strategies, as well as art, improv, and play. Caitlin works with children, adolescents, individuals, and families. 

About Caitlin

Graduating from Wheaton College in Winter 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Communications, Glen Ellyn has been home for the last 10 years. After pursuing a career in sales for several years, Caitlin made a life changing decision to return to Wheaton and pursue a career in Marriage and Family Therapy. Over the course of the pandemic, and the rigors of graduate school, she experienced profound personal, professional, and spiritual growth. She’s thrilled to continue her journey as a Marriage and Family Therapist at Grow Collective. 

While Caitlin’s not working, she enjoys listening to podcasts, and spending time with her poodle Chad (full name Chadwick). She also enjoys walking Chad, weight training, dancing (Jazzercise), thrifting, watching The Green Bay Packers win all the games, rewatching Gilmore Girls for the 85th time, and meeting all the dogs in Glen Ellyn.

Caitlin's approach to therapy

Caitlin is highly influenced by the work of Virginia Satir, Carl Whitaker, and John Bowlby, the father of Attachment-based psychotherapy. Caitlin focuses on bringing her warmth, compassion for others, and sprinkles of joy and laughter into her therapeutic approach. Trained professionally as a Marriage and Family Therapist, Caitlin tends to think systemically, and relationally. As a therapist, Caitlin values authenticity and encourages her clients to be themselves. Some of the techniques she integrates into her therapeutic approach include art therapy, mindfulness, breathing exercises, movement and dance, improv, games, music, and strengths finder. These tools can bring a unique and creative flair into the therapeutic experience and into the client’s healing journey.