Marina Garavaglia
I'm a thoughtful, compassionate, and open-minded therapist with 15 years of experience helping people navigate life's challenges. My own experiences have taught me that, at our core, we all want the same things: to feel loved, understood, and accepted for who we are.
Yet, sometimes the ways we've learned to protect ourselves from hurt can make it difficult to let others in or show up as our truest selves.
Yet, sometimes the ways we've learned to protect ourselves from hurt can make it difficult to let others in or show up as our truest selves. I believe that building genuine connections requires vulnerability and the courage to be ourselves, and that learning to do this is often a lifelong journey. My approach to therapy is warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental. I want to help you better understand yourself, gently explore the patterns that may no longer serve you, and develop the confidence to live and connect with others in ways that feel authentic to you
First session
In our first session, my goal is to help you feel comfortable, heard, and understood. We'll talk about what brings you to therapy, what you've been experiencing, and what you hope to get out of our work together. I'll listen with compassion and curiosity, without judgment or pressure to share more than you're ready to. This is also an opportunity for us to get to know each other and begin building a trusting, collaborative relationship. You don't need to have all the answers or know exactly where to start. We'll work together to identify what matters most to you and begin exploring how therapy can support you.
Strengths
One of my strengths as a therapist is my ability to look beneath the surface and help people make sense of their feelings, behaviors, and relationship patterns. I'm naturally curious about what makes us who we are, and I strive to understand each person's experiences with empathy and without judgment. I also recognize how important it is to feel comfortable enough to be open and vulnerable, so I work to create a warm, safe space where you can be yourself. I bring both insight and compassion to our sessions, helping you explore not only what you're struggling with, but why certain patterns may have developed and how you might move toward greater self-understanding, self-acceptance, and more fulfilling relationships.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is someone who wants to better understand themselves, navigate difficult emotions, and develop a healthier relationship with themselves and others. I particularly enjoy working with people experiencing anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, or challenging life transitions. I find it rewarding to help clients who may feel misunderstood or overwhelmed explore their experiences in a safe, nonjudgmental environment. My approach is collaborative and compassionate, combining empathy and validation with thoughtful exploration and gentle challenges that help clients recognize patterns, build on their strengths, and work toward meaningful change at their own pace.
Treatment methods
Psychodynamic
I use a psychodynamic approach to help clients develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the experiences that have shaped them. Together, we'll explore how past experiences, relationships, and recurring emotional patterns may influence how you think, feel, and relate to others today. I believe that recognizing these connections can help us better understand the roots of current struggles, increase self-awareness, and create opportunities for meaningful change. I approach this work with curiosity and compassion, allowing clients to explore their experiences at their own pace in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I incorporate cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help clients understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influence one another. Together, we'll identify unhelpful thinking patterns and beliefs that may be contributing to anxiety, depression, or other challenges. I'll help you develop practical strategies to challenge these patterns, manage difficult emotions, and approach situations in new ways. My approach is collaborative and supportive, recognizing that change takes time and that developing greater awareness and healthier ways of responding is an ongoing process.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I draw on a humanistic approach to create a therapeutic environment grounded in empathy, acceptance, and genuine connection. I believe that everyone deserves to feel heard, understood, and valued without fear of judgment. I strive to meet clients where they are, recognizing their individual experiences, strengths, and capacity for growth. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, I work collaboratively with clients to explore their feelings, gain a deeper understanding of themselves, and identify what meaningful change looks like for them. I believe that feeling accepted and supported can create the foundation for greater self-awareness, confidence, and personal growth.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Spiritual but not religious
Woman
Top specialties
Anxiety
Depression
Life Transitions
Other specialties
Attachment Issues
Bipolar Disorder
Childhood / Intergenerational Trauma
Codependency
Family Conflict
Self Esteem
Serious Mental Illness / Crisis
Suicidal Ideation
Serves
Adults (18 to 64)
Elders (65 and above)
Individual Therapy
Non-binary
Teenagers (13 to 17)
Transgender
Doesn't specialize in
ADHD
Anger Management
Autism
Couples Counseling
Couples Counseling
Dissociative Disorders
Eating Disorders
Family Therapy
Family Therapy
Military/Veterans
Personality Disorders
Sex Addiction
Sex Therapy
Licensed in
IllinoisLicense 149016363