Mackenzie Cummings

Mackenzie provides a compassionate space to explore and heal from your struggles. She believes wholeheartedly in the collaborative journey of therapy, viewing it as a true partnership between you and her. Her guiding principle is centered on your unique strengths, and her primary mission is to help you uncover these innate abilities. Mackenzie is dedicated to empowering you, offering support as you navigate through concerns, and providing a comforting presence during life's challenges and transitions. Through this collaborative process, her ultimate aim is to facilitate your healing and nurture personal growth, guiding you towards a life that authentically aligns with your core values.

In Mackenzie's dedicated work, she specializes in providing support to individuals navigating through various challenges, with a focus on interpersonal difficulties, trauma, and anxiety. Her commitment to your well-being is evident in her approach, where she seamlessly integrates evidence-based treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). These therapeutic modalities serve as foundational pillars, informed by research and proven effectiveness.

What sets Mackenzie apart is her unwavering acknowledgment of the distinctiveness of each individual's journey. She understands that no two paths are the same, and as such, her approach is not a one-size-fits-all model. Mackenzie takes the time to truly understand your unique needs, concerns, and aspirations. It's not merely about applying established techniques; it's about tailoring every aspect of the therapeutic process to align with your specific circumstances and preferences.

Mackenzie's commitment to a personalized experience goes beyond the conventional, as she incorporates a diverse range of therapeutic techniques. These techniques are carefully chosen based on their relevance to your situation, ensuring that the therapeutic journey is not only effective but also resonates with your individuality. Whether it's drawing from traditional therapeutic methods, innovative approaches, or a combination of both, Mackenzie strives to create an environment where you feel heard, understood, and supported on your path to healing and growth.

In her work with couples, Mackenzie seamlessly integrates psychodynamic insights with the Gottman Method Couples Therapy. Her focus is on empowering couples to communicate effectively, fostering deeper connections, and breaking free from destructive relationship patterns. Acknowledging the pivotal role that healthy intimacy plays in relationships, Mackenzie gently guides couples toward achieving a closer connection, understanding, and fulfillment in their shared journey.

About Mackenzie

Mackenzie attended Pomona College for her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Spanish. She then spent two years at the VA Boston researching PTSD and moral injury before moving to Seattle for graduate school. She is currently a third-year doctoral student at Seattle Pacific University and is on track to receive her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in May 2026. Upon receiving her degree, she will serve as a clinical psychologist for the United States Navy. In her free time, she enjoys running, hiking, or spending time with friends.

Education

• Master of Science in Clinical Psychology (M.S.), Seattle Pacific University        

• Bachelors in Psychology and Spanish, Pomona College

• Washington State Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate

Publications

Erickson, T. M., Lewis, J. M., Crouch, T. A., Singh, N. B., & Cummings, M. H. (2023). Interpersonal contrast avoidance as a mechanism for the maintenance of worry. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 94(102678). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2023.102678

Litz, B. T., Plouffe, R. A., Nazarov, A., Murphy, D., Phelps, A., Coady, A., Houle, S. A., Dell, L., Frankfurt, S., Zerah, G., & Levy-Belz, Y. On behalf of the Moral Injury Outcome Scale Consortium. (2022). Defining and assessing the syndrome of moral injury: Initial findings of the moral injury outcome scale. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 5(13), 923-928. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.923928

Litz, B. T., Cummings, M. H., Grunthal, B., & McLean, C. L. (2021). A public health framework for preventing mental disorders in the context of pandemics. Cognitive Behavioral Practice, 28, 519-531. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2020.11.004

Cummings, M. H., Chartoff, R., Braughton, J. E., & Litz, B. T. (2020). An update on the development of the Moral Injury Oucome Scale (MIOS). International Society for Traumatic Stress, Moral Injury Special Interest Group, 2(2), 3-5.

McLean, C. L., Cummings, M. H., & Litz, B. T. (2020). Individual approaches to prevention and early intervention. In J. G. Beck & D. M. Sloan (Eds.), Oxford Handbook of Traumatic Stress Disorders (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190088224.013.26

Masland, S. R., Cummings, M. H., Null, K. E., Woynowskie, K. M., & Choi-Kain, L. W. (2019). Changes in post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms during residential treatment for borderline personality disorder: A cross-lagged study. Borderline Personality Disorder and Emotion Dysregulation, 6(15), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40479-019-0113-4