How I work with People

My Theoretical Orientation

Existential:  As you speak to me, I hear echos of the "big" questions of human life.  Am I doing what I'm meant to do?  Will I be remembered?  How much am I a separate person and how much am I connected to other people?  What do I owe my fellow humans?  Are there possibilities that I am not seeing?  Why do pain, addictions and disease happen?  Why do good and evil both exist?  Is there such thing as control in life or world? 

Jungian:  The theories of Carl Jung influence my work: We are drawn to stories and myths and curious about our dreams and the coincidences in life.  The characters of stories and in our dreams can be interpretted as parts of ourselves trying to play a bigger role in the drama of our life.   

Developmental:   Your path in life is similar to all people in many ways, and so we can learn from each other and need not feel quite so alone in our struggles.  Young people go through amazing changes during the first twenty years of life; horizons open up and they need support and guidance but cannot be fully protected.  Adults continue to realize new complexities of life.  Later in life we benefit from thinking about the legacy we will leave and making the most of the years of life that remain

My Education and Approach

My master’s degree is from Seattle University and is in existential phenomenological psychology. In general terms, this approach finds the complexities of human life at the heart of distress in our lives and works with meaning and relationships to make things go better.  

My approach is client-centered and therefore is somewhat different with each client, depending upon his or her comfort level and goals for our work together. 

I have worked in private practice and community mental health with people of all ages and from many different cultures. I have used psychotherapy in the treatment of depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, feeling stuck or angry, and finding focus or peace in life.

.Degrees and Certifications

MA, Psychology; Seattle University

BA, Business Administration; Seattle University

Washington State Licensed Mental Health Counselor #LH00010376

Child Mental Health Specialist, June 2006

Published Papers

Beck, B., Halling, S., McNabb, M., Miller, D., Rowe, J.O., & Schulz, J. (2003). Facing up to Hopelessness: A dialogal phenomenological study. Journal of Religion and Health, 42(4), 339-354.

Beck, B., Halling, S., McNabb, M., Miller, D., Rowe, J.O., & Schulz, J. (2003). On Navigating Despair: Reports from psychotherapists. Journal of Religion and Health, 44(2), 187-205.

Halling, S., McNabb, M., Rowe, J.O. (2006). Existential-Phenomenological Psychotherapy in the Trenches: A collaborative approach to serving the underserved. Journal of Phenomenological Psychology, 37(2), 171-196.

McNabb, M., A Saying without a Said: Levinas and the aftermath of the violence of murder in PTSD treatment. Presented at Psychology for the Other, a Seminar on Emmanuel Levinas, Seattle University. October 27, 2007.

Ethical Statement

I am bound by laws and ethical standards set forth by federal and state law and by the code of conduct of the organization that licenses mental health counselors. In summary, my ethical responsibilities are that:

  • I serve you well and professionally
  • I keep our work together confidential in almost all situations
  • I am fair and accurate in my record keeping and financial relationship with you
  • I stay current in my skills via continuing education