My name is Dr. Bláithín Mac Mahon; my preferred pronouns are she/her/hers. I am a psychologist and the founder of Thrive Psychology, a tele-therapy practice located in Ireland but offering Zoom therapy sessions to adults located anywhere the internet is accessible.
I hold a doctorate in psychology (PsyD, 2014) and a Master of Science (MS, 2010) in Clinical Psychology from Pacific University, Oregon, U.S, an American Psychological Association (APA) accredited program. I received my Bachelor of Arts (BA, 2003) in psychology from Sweet Briar College, Virginia, U.S. In addition, I did some master level coursework, research and clinical work at Southeastern Louisiana University, Louisiana, U.S.
I have been working with clients since 2005, with the exception of an extended medical leave of absence from mid 2014 to late 2020, practicing therapy in settings of university health, community health, crisis call centre and now online private practice. While I have experience doing individual and group therapy with adults and older adults, my speciality has been working with younger adults-from those starting adulthood in their late teens to adults into their mid-30’s.
My clinical training was eclectic by my doctoral program’s design. I have supervised clinical training in both insight oriented therapies (Psychodynamic & Gestalt) as well as more behaviourial therapies (Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)). I now work from an insight relational theoretical orientation, using specifically object relations, relational, and attachment theories, when working with clients but draw from aspects and skills of behavioural therapies I have been trained in when clinically appropriate.
I became disabled by a chronic pain condition and took an extended medical leave of absence from work in 2014. In addition to my lengthy search for effective treatments that would work well for me, I also had to learn how to integrate and adapt this chronic condition, and resulting disability, into my personal and professional life. This informs how to structure and conduct my psychotherapy practice, maintaining a small caseload in order to fully meet the needs of the people I work with.
I am a graduate member of Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI), currently serving as a council member on the board (2025-2028), an officer member, currently the Events Coordinator, of the Special Interest Group for Psychologists in Private Practice (SIGPPP) in PSI. I am an affiliated member of the American Psychological Association (APA). I opened Thrive Psychology, a tele-therapy practice in the autumn of 2020.
People often come to me stating they want someone to talk things out with and are seeking support. They know, whether they can name it or not, that something is not right in their world and they want things to be different, better. Others simply want to understand themselves better and find doing so brings more fulfilment in their lives. Some find talking to a therapist becomes part of maintaining their wellbeing and growth in their lives.
Whether I work with you for a brief time or we develop a more long-term therapy relationship, I feel it’s a privilege to do this work and honoured to work with you on this journey of exploration and healing.