LPC, 13 years of experience
I’m Marcella Hayes, a Certified Trauma Therapist and EMDR provider with over 13 years of experience. I work with people recovering from burnout, grief, and unresolved trauma, especially those who feel overwhelmed by life’s demands but still push through every day. My approach blends evidence-based tools with real talk and nervous system support, helping you feel grounded, empowered, and more like yourself again.
In our first session, you can expect a warm, welcoming space where we’ll get to know each other. I’ll ask questions to understand what brings you in and what you’re hoping to work on. It’s not about diving into deep issues right away, but rather starting with a conversation that helps me understand your needs and goals. You’ll leave with a better sense of how we can work together to make progress, and we’ll create a plan that feels comfortable for you.
Clients often tell me I’m real, straightforward, and deeply validating. I bring both clinical expertise and lived experience into the room, which helps me connect quickly and build trust. I empower clients by helping them understand what’s happening in their minds and bodies, teaching practical tools to regulate their nervous systems, and challenging unhelpful patterns with compassion and clarity. My goal is to help you feel confident in your own healing, empowered, self-aware, and in control of your life again.
I work best with driven professionals who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or like they’ve lost touch with themselves under the weight of work stress, family dynamics, or past trauma. My clients are smart, capable, and exhausted, they’re ready for relief that actually lasts. I provide an emotionally safe space where you can feel comfortable and their authentic selves to share the uncomfortable because real healing starts with honesty. You don’t have to do it alone—I’m here to walk alongside you on the journey back to the person you know you can be.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a highly researched and effective psychotherapy method used to treat trauma and other distressing life experiences by reprocessing difficult memories. EMDR helps reduce the emotional intensity of these memories, allowing you to move past them and gain a healthier perspective on your current life. Some sessions may last up to 90 minutes for deeper healing
Polyvagal Theory explains how our nervous system reacts to stress by shifting between feeling safe and social, fight-or-flight, or shutting down. In therapy, we use this understanding to help you recognize stress and teach techniques to calm your body, restoring balance and control.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps you identify and change negative thought patterns, making it easier to manage stress and unhealthy relationship patterns. By teaching new ways to think and cope, CBT reduces anxiety, trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout, helping you build healthier relationships and improve emotional well-being.