Marshall McLean

Marriage & Family Therapist (Associate License Pending)

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Hello, and welcome. I'm Marshall McLean (he/him), and I'm a therapist dedicated to helping individuals and couples navigate life's challenges and build stronger, more fulfilling relationships.

My Journey to Therapy

I've always been deeply engaged by the powerful dynamics within relationships and the profound ways our interactions shape us. This lifelong fascination, enriched by my years in creative fields like music, design, and marketing, now fuels my passion: to help couples and individuals discover innovative and resonant solutions to their challenges. I’ve found that the core principles of harmony, insightful design, and clear communication that bring creative works to life are powerfully adaptable in crafting healthier, more fulfilling connections.

My path into therapy was a conscious decision to apply this creative problem-solving directly to the art of human relationships. In our work together, I don't just see problems to be fixed; I see opportunities for us to co-create new narratives and design more effective ways of relating. Whether you're a couple seeking to rebuild harmony or an individual looking to compose a life story with greater clarity and purpose, I offer a safe, dynamic, and inspiring space for this exploration.

It's deeply rewarding to witness clients not only navigate their difficulties but also tap into their innate creativity, building stronger bonds and thriving, even when circumstances feel most challenging. I genuinely believe in our shared potential to heal, grow, and collaboratively generate creative solutions to the problems we face.

My Education and Approach

I hold a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Bachelor of Arts in Counseling from Whitworth University. I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate (LMFTA).

As a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), I see individuals through the crucial lens of their relationships and life contexts. This systemic approach means I understand that your challenges are not isolated internal struggles, but are profoundly shaped by family dynamics, communication styles, and relational patterns, which also hold powerful keys to healing. This foundational perspective is woven throughout my work:

My primary orientation is Narrative Therapy, through which I empower you to explore and re-author the stories shaping your life and relationships, moving towards new meanings and preferred outcomes. Building on this, I integrate other specialized modalities:

● For couples, I utilize the research-backed Gottman Method to help you build a stronger friendship, manage conflict effectively, and deepen your shared meaning.

● To illuminate the influence of intergenerational patterns within families and relationships, I incorporate principles from Bowen Family Systems Theory, fostering healthy individual differentiation.

● Recognizing trauma's profound impact on both individuals and their connections, I employ Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for specific distressing experiences and Lifespan Integration to facilitate the healing and integration of past events, promoting your overall well-being."

My Philosophy: You Are the Author of Your Story

I believe each person is the primary author of their own life story. You aren't merely living it; you are actively creating it, continually making meaning from your experiences. This innate drive for meaning is fundamental to what makes us human.

These life stories are fluid and dynamic, rather than fixed. This means you have the inherent power to rewrite your narratives, challenge limiting beliefs that hold you back, and create new, empowering possibilities for yourself. While your story is uniquely yours, I also recognize its deep connections to your family's history and the wider world. Together, we can explore the patterns and influences that have shaped your present understanding.

In this journey, you are the protagonist. My role as your therapist is to help you strengthen your inner resources, build resilience, and empower you to take confident ownership of your evolving story. I hold a profoundly hopeful view of human potential and firmly believe in your capacity for profound growth and transformation.

Ultimately, I trust in your ability and responsibility to choose your path and shape your future, even while acknowledging the influences of the past. By consciously developing your personal narrative, you not only enrich your own life but also contribute to the ongoing story and strength of your family system.

Outside the Office

I find balance between creative pursuits, such as playing guitar, writing songs, and my photography work with Shadowland Photography (my side business), and activities like reading or exploring the rich Montana outdoors through hunting and fishing. I’ve been married to my wife for twenty years, and we have two children (8 and 17). We love traveling together and going on new adventures.