After many years working in science, I got training in psychotherapy: first in psychoanalysis, then in powerful, evidence-based emotion-focused approaches like Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFCT/EFIT), AEDP and EMDR. This blend lets me speak to both your heart and your mind. Together we’ll figure out what approach works best for you—whether it’s deep exploration, emotional processing, or a more targeted skills based approach. My goal in our sessions is to create a safe space between us—where you can feel truly secure enough to explore your own way of connecting to the world, to others, and to yourself. I want this to be a place where being vulnerable doesn't feel risky, where emotions can come up without judgment, and where you get to practice being seen and heard exactly as you are. From there, we build the confidence and skills to carry that sense of safety into your everyday relationships and life. If that sounds like something you'd like to try, I'm ready whenever you are. Reach out—let's start
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session, we’ll just sit together and talk in a kind, safe way. I’ll listen carefully to what you want to share, without any judgment. We’ll gently notice how you feel right now—maybe in your body or your heart—without pushing into hard stuff too fast. The goal is for you to feel truly seen, heard, and not alone. Many people leave the first meeting feeling a bit lighter and more hopeful. That’s where we start.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I believe you already have the strength to heal and grow. We start with what’s good in you, not just the problems. I use AEDP, ideas from EFIT about safe emotional bonds, and psychoanalytic understanding of hidden patterns and relationships. I meet you exactly where you are right now. We create a warm, safe space together. You feel seen, heard, and not alone. We gently look at your feelings as they come up—in your body and heart. We understand how the past shapes today. We work through pain and welcome moments of relief, hope, or joy. This often brings quick, lasting change: more self-acceptance, better relationships, fresh energy, and real inner growth. Many clients feel lighter and more hopeful after just a few sessions.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I am best positioned to serve people who feel stuck in patterns that hold them back—whether in relationships, self-worth, anxiety, depression, or lingering effects from past hurts like trauma, emotional neglect, or attachment wounds. You might be someone sick of feeling inadequate and carrying the deep belief that something is fundamentally wrong with you. You are ready to look deeper: curious about your inner world, motivated to understand hidden feelings or old patterns, and open to gently feeling emotions (even the hard ones) rather than avoiding them. I believe humanity survives and thrives because we are all so different, each bringing unique strengths. I would love to help you see beyond the labels you (or others) have put on yourself, so your true self can emerge and shine. If you're seeking real self-acceptance, stronger connections, and a life with more hope, energy, and authenticity, this could be a great fit.
Psychoanalytic
Psychoanalysis is one of the oldest and most time-tested forms of therapy. It works beautifully no matter the era because it trusts your mind to reveal what needs to be seen. In our sessions, you simply say whatever comes to mind—thoughts, memories, feelings, dreams, even things that seem random. Through this free association, we gently follow the threads together. I listen closely and help uncover hidden patterns from the past that shape today. This open, curious process brings deep insight, emotional relief, and real, lasting change.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is a powerful tool that helps you develop the skills to identify and replace problematic thoughts—the one aspect of your mind you have control over. By working through these thought patterns, you can begin to shift your automatic responses. Within about two months, you'll start noticing changes in your automatic thoughts, followed by improvements in your mood, and ultimately in your overall life.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
If your relationship feels off—your partner became too harsh or distant, and being together adds anxiety instead of comfort—it looks like your connection has been hijacked by a negative cycle. The cycle dictates that you seek safety: one pushes for closeness, the other pulls away to protect, until you both end up feeling alone in awkward silence, more like roommates than partners. But this isn’t proof that love is gone. EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) is an attachment-based, experiential approach developed by Dr. Sue Johnson. In our sessions, I guide you through a structured, compassionate process to slow negative cycles, safely share the vulnerable feelings underneath (fear, hurt, loneliness), and rebuild lasting emotional closeness and safety. Many couples experience real transformation—moving from distress to feeling truly connected again.
Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)
Feeling emotions can be really tough—sometimes they feel overwhelming, scary, or even impossible to handle. Many people are ready to do almost anything or be with almost anyone just to push those unpleasant sensations away and avoid the pain. But have you ever stopped to notice the price you pay for that avoidance? In AEDP, we gently turn toward those feelings together—in a safe, supportive way. We explore them as they show up right now, in your body and heart, without forcing or rushing. This welcoming approach often brings quick relief, deeper self-compassion, moments of joy or strength, and real healing from the inside. You don’t have to face it alone—we do it side by side.
EMDR
Trauma isn’t just what happened to you—it’s how those experiences shaped your view of yourself and others, often leaving behind stuck beliefs like “I’m not safe,” “I’m not good enough,” or “I can’t trust anyone.” The good news is that we can work with those inner patterns. I am currently training toward certification in EMDR, a well-researched, evidence-based method that helps your brain reprocess distressing memories so they lose their overwhelming power in the present. EMDR is especially helpful for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, grief, attachment wounds, performance blocks, and persistent negative self-beliefs. By gently guiding you through this structured process, I aim to support deeper healing, better emotional regulation, and a stronger sense of safety, resilience, and self-worth.
4 ratings with written reviews
May 8, 2025
Very good balance of listening and advice. I like that Marina challenges me, even if it's something I might be uncomfortable hearing. Her attention to detail (about things that we've talked about in the past) lets me know that she's really listening to me. Thank you!
April 25, 2025
Marina is a great listener and very insightful. She is great at translating experiences and emotions into insights and learning moments. I feel very seen, understood, and affirmed!
March 29, 2025
Really good listener :)