Makayla believes that meaningful change occurs when individuals feel safe, supported, and genuinely understood. She strives to create a warm, compassionate, and nonjudgmental environment where clients can explore their experiences, build on their strengths, and work toward healing and growth. Makayla believes that each person is the expert of their own story, and she values a collaborative therapeutic relationship that empowers clients to navigate challenges with confidence and resilience.
Makayla earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree, with minors in Psychology and Creative Writing, before completing her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Nebraska Omaha. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and is committed to providing evidence-based, client-centered care to individuals and families throughout their healing journey.
Over the past ten years, Makayla has worked extensively with children and families experiencing crisis, trauma, abuse, neglect, and adoption-related challenges. Her professional experience has provided her with a deep understanding of the complex emotional and behavioral impacts that adverse experiences can have on individuals and family systems. She has a passion for helping children, adolescents, couples, and families develop healthy coping skills, strengthen relationships, and create lasting positive change.
Makayla specializes in trauma, adoption and foster care-related concerns, ADHD, emotional regulation, and the effects of abuse and neglect. Her therapeutic approach is influenced by Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Person-Centered Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Strengths-Based practices, and Systems Theory. She tailors her approach to meet the unique needs of each client while fostering a supportive and collaborative therapeutic experience.
Outside of her professional work, Makayla enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and their lively household of three dogs and two cats. She loves hiking, fishing, camping, exploring new restaurants, and making memories with family and friends.
To schedule an in-person (or teletherapy) appointment, please call Scovel Psychological at 605-721-8822.