Mary Kate Roohan, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Practice Owner & Director
Hi, I’m Dr. Mary Kate.
The process of finding a therapist is weird - I will be the first to name that. You are essentially scrolling through strangers on the internet, trying to decide who feels safe enough to trust with your most vulnerable thoughts. It makes sense if you feel overwhelmed. The reality is that many folks dread or worry about the process so much that they never find their therapist.
The fact that you are reading this page puts you ahead of the game. Many people give up halfway through the search process.
My hope is to make the entire process of therapy - from finding the therapist to your final session with that clinician -feel less overwhelming and more human.
I am a queer licensed clinical psychologist, registered drama therapist, and assessment specialist. I prioritize evidence-based modalities (ACT, DBT, EMDR, and drama therapy) to help you actually improve your life, not just talk about it. I am especially passionate about working with Highly Sensitive People (HSPs), comedians, creatives, and LGBTQIA+ folks.
Are you tired of pretending everything is fine? Totally understandable. Together, we create space for your emotions rather than fighting (or repressing) them, and we build skills that help you live according to your values.
Therapy Types
What I Help With
Emotional intensity and dysregulation
Emotional repression and disconnection
Identity exploration
Trauma processing
Feeling stuck
Burnout and overwhelm
Thoughts that do not “turn off.”
Living more fully and purposefully
How I Work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Neurodiversity-affirming approaches
I wasn’t always smiling.
Moving through life as an “emotional person” was the first indicator that I would become a clinical psychologist. Multiple cries a day were common in my world and could be triggered by nearly anything: joy, gratitude, fear, sadness, even surprise. I felt alone in that experience. A running internal monologue told me that everyone else had more self-control and that something was seriously wrong with me.
Living on an emotional roller coaster was exhausting.
The highs were exhilarating; the lows were stomach-dropping. In high school, I found short-term ways to regulate those swings, strategies that worked in the moment but cost me in the long term.
When I finally reached the maximum amount of suffering I could tolerate, I started seeing a school counselor, and it CHANGED MY LIFE.
My experience as a Therapy client is what led me here.
I learned that the goal was not to eliminate big feelings; it was to live WITH them. I learned skills. I practiced them. I built a life aligned with my values. Now, I help my clients do the same.
The most rewarding part of this work is instilling hope when things feel hopeless and watching clients TAKE ACTION in their own lives. I am committed to empowering you to make the changes that will allow you to live a vital and purposeful life.
3 Reasons To Choose Therapy with Me
We integrate humor and authenticity
into the process.
My clients tell me that I make a seemingly uncomfortable process feel comfortable. I bring my authentic self to the therapy space so that you can bring yours as well. We are doing deep work, but that does not mean we can’t be real and laugh along the way.
I teach skills AND help you
actually use them.
Insight is important, but application is what changes your life. In therapy, I am not sitting back and nodding my head as you speak - I give you interpretations of the patterns I see, education on psychological concepts, and skills that you can apply to your life right away.
I combine evidence-based treatment
with lived understanding.
I know what it feels like to live in Emotion Mind. I also know what it feels like to build a life grounded in values. My work is about helping you believe and experience that it can get better.
As Seen In…
National Alliance on Mental Illness
University of Notre Dame
Psychology Today
Practice Information
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B.A. in Psychology – University of Notre Dame
M.A. in Drama Therapy – New York University
Psy.D. in Applied Clinical Psychology – The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
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Licensed Clinical Psychologist (#34538)
Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (#002257)
Registered Drama Therapist (#706)
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In-Person Therapy in Pasadena
Virtual Therapy Available throughout California
Psychological Assessment Services (in Pasadena and virtually)
High-Stakes Testing Accommodations Evaluations
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Therapy (Self-Pay): $330 per session
Assessment Services:
Autism: $2,500
ADHD: $2,800
Comprehensive Evaluations: $4,500+
Combined evaluations range from $5,000 to $6,000, depending on the scope.
Assessment fees reflect the full evaluation process, including intake, testing, scoring, report writing, and feedback.
Insurance
We are in-network with Aetna (therapy and assessments). If using Aetna, your out-of-pocket cost is determined by your copay, coinsurance, and deductible. Benefits are verified prior to your first appointment.
We are out-of-network with all other insurance plans. A superbill can be provided for potential reimbursement if you have out-of-network benefits. We recommend contacting your insurance carrier directly to understand your coverage.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re interested in working with Thrive & Feel Psychology, begin by completing our New Client Intake Screener. Once submitted, our team will follow up within 24 - 48 business hours with the next steps.