Meet Dr. Deacon
Welcome to the DMV Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy! I am Mary Kathryn Deacon - a licensed clinical psychologist dedicated to establishing a safe and supportive space to help you explore and challenge yourself. I work collaboratively with clients using evidence-based interventions from a cognitive behavioral (CBT) framework to manage symptoms, enhance coping skills, strengthen relationships, facilitate change, and improve quality of life.
I specialize in treating children (8+), adolescents, and young adults experiencing:
anxiety
depression
OCD
disordered eating
GI issues
body image concerns/self-esteem issues
life transitions
My clinical work is informed by my advanced training in CBT, including CBT for Eating Disorders (CBT-E), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD. I also have experience in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a treatment modality that emphasizes distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. In my therapy sessions, you can expect an active approach to treatment; one that involves identifying and interrupting thoughts and behaviors interfering with your life and replacing them with more functional alternatives.
I hail from Buffalo, NY, originally, but have called the DMV “home” for the past couple of years. My affection for this area dates back to my childhood, when I'd spend summers visiting family and attending camps in Alexandria. I am thrilled to have finally settled here long term!
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends, exploring the city, cooking, baking, traveling, and trying new restaurants. I'm an outdoor enthusiast, staying active with walks, bike rides, skiing, and playing on a social kickball team. Plus, my career as a competitive figure skater, which spanned over a decade, still draws me to the rink whenever possible! Lastly, I'm passionate about women's basketball, following both college and WNBA games with enthusiasm.
Family holds an important place in my heart, and despite the geographical distance separating my immediate relatives, I always eagerly anticipate our time together. I am a proud aunt to 3 nieces; together, we love going to the park, jumping on the trampoline, baking cookies, crafting, and having dance parties! My time spent with my nieces has continually strengthened my passion for working with children and adolescents.
My Life Beyond Psychology
After graduating Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Saint Joseph’s University, I earned my Master’s and PsyD from La Salle University. My clinical training encompassed a variety of settings, including private practice, college counseling centers, and hospitals. During my time as a student, I trained and worked at the University of Pittsburgh University Counseling Center, Lenape Valley Foundation Acute Partial Hospitalization Program, La Salle Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, Judge Baker Children’s Center – Harvard Medical School, Institute for Autism Research at Canisius College, and The University of Delaware Center for Counseling and Student Development. I also spent two years working at the CBT Center for Anxiety and OCD in Philadelphia where I gained significant experience in providing CBT and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to individuals struggling with anxiety disorders and OCD. Furthermore, after grad school, I spent a year and a half working at the Arlington Behavior Therapy Institute (ABTI) where I further enhanced my specialized training in evidence-based practices.
Background and Training
