Deborah McMakin, Ed.D., LICSW

Dr. Deborah McMakin has been a professor in the Psychology and Philosophy Department at Framingham State University (FSU) since 1998. She teaches courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including the Psychology of Development, Abnormal Psychology and Group Dynamics. Deborah also coordinates the FSU Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program and supervises graduate and undergraduate interns in group therapy.

In addition to her FSU responsibilities, Deborah has been providing individual, family, couples and group therapy to a wide range of clients for the past 25 years. Before joining the Riverbend Group, she worked for several well-respected social service organizations in the Greater Boston area, including MetroWest Counseling Associates, Wayside Youth and Family Services in Framingham and Jewish Family Services of Newton. As a former special education teacher, Deborah has also developed various psycho-dynamic programs for children and adolescents designed to improve their social interaction skills, attention and focus, communication and motor skills, self-esteem and problem-solving abilities. Deborah uses a resiliency-based approach, building on clients’ strengths to enhance their social-emotional health and happiness.

Deborah holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of Massachusetts in Lowell, a Master of Social Work from Boston University and a Master of Human Development and Special Education from The George Washington University. She is certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Solution Focused Therapy.