Tanner McCarthy, PsyD, LP
tanner@affinitypsych.com
Hey, I’m Tanner!
We’re all out here trying our best and working towards accomplishing our goals, but sometimes we need a little extra help. I provide therapy (16+) and psychological testing (8+) to help the exploration process and move towards those goals. I pride myself on connecting and collaborating well with others in a variety of settings, and I enjoy working with individuals of all backgrounds, orientations, abilities, and struggles.
I appreciate anyone who’s willing to work on and explore themselves. For therapy, I work with individuals struggling with finding their purpose and those experiencing a variety of difficulties due to life stage changes, mood disorders, interpersonal relationships, life stressors, neurodivergence, co-occurring substance use, or sports/performance. I provide psychological testing to explore ADHD, ASD, Learning Disorders (LD), career counseling and direction, and general testing for diagnostic clarity.
I have my BA in Psychology from Augsburg College, my MS in the Science of Psychology from Purdue Global University, and my PsyD in Counseling Psychology from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
How I Work
Therapy with me feels like a warm yet challenging environment in which I provide support and accountability to work towards the goals we establish together. I like to walk the line of not taking myself too seriously while also valuing my role in your life as a great honor. I give homework, which I see as an extension of our session. It helps reinforce the skills we practice and increase the abilities we discuss.
Testing with me consists of three parts. First is an intake session in which we both get a feel for one another and I gather enough information to create a set of tests. The second part includes one to two testing sessions, typically lasting 2-4 hours each. Third is the feedback session (typically virtual) in which we go over the results, diagnoses, and recommendations moving forward.
My style is direct yet approachable. My tendency to confront will build as we get to know one another and find the areas that need a little extra accountability. I won’t be laying on the sarcasm too thick early on in therapy. I care about your progress and what you identify as success, but I won’t sit idly by and not have the tough conversations. You’ll hear me say “we,” “us,” “our,” and other similar words in therapy because I truly believe we’re working as a team to accomplish your goals. On this journey, I hope we’re able to learn from each other as we both grow and develop.
What Sets Me Apart As a Therapist?
I provide a space that feels natural and easy to get used to while still challenging people to think differently, look at situations with new perspectives, and be held accountable—even when it feels awkward or hard to face the challenges self-exploration and vulnerability provide. Therapy creates this beautifully accurate representation of life outside the therapeutic space. In life, like therapy, we can’t have all the tough stuff without opportunities to unwind and find joy. I help foster an environment that can accomplish and represent all of these experiences.
