Makenzie Irrgang, Ph.D

Makenzie Irrgang earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Pacific University in Oregon and her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Loyola University in Maryland. Before joining the Chicago CBT Center, she completed her predoctoral internship at the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center and postdoctoral residency at the Road Home Program, Center of Excellence for Veterans and their Families at Rush University Medical. Makenzie has gained specialized training in trauma-focused evidence based treatments, including Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, and Written Exposure Therapy. She also has experience in Cognitive and Behaviorally based treatments for OCD and other anxiety related disorders (e.g., Unified Protocol, Exposure and Response Prevention, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).

She prioritizes developing a shared understanding of what truly matters to the people she works with and emphasizes approaching difficult emotions, untangling messaging that is no longer serving us, and finding a balance between acceptance and change. Makenzie believes it is an honor  and privilege to witness her clients grow and thrive and hopes to foster a therapeutic relationship where clients can practice using their authentic voices as the experts of their own experience.

The strategies that you’ve developed over time, although often a means of survival and coping, may be getting in the way of you living a life that is full of value and connection. My goal is to empower you to live the life you want and find new ways forward, even if the path seems unclear.