LPC, 5 years of experience
New to Grow
I am so glad you're here and ready to take the next step towards your wellness! My name is Marisela, but you can call me Mari. I am a passionate, dancing, coffee loving, Latina, who is also a spooky enthusiast. I love what I do, and I love working with people. I truly believe in each person and their own abilities and capabilities. My job as your therapist is to listen without judgment, and provide a sounding board to support you in uncovering what capabilities and knowledge you already have. I believe in meeting people where they are at, and building a deep therapeutic relationship. I utilize a person centered, culturally sensitive approach. I also believe in using a mind body approach, where together we can uncover what is stored in the body to promote healing. As your therapist, I can also offer psycho-education on coping skills, distress tolerance skills, and a solution focused approach to get you to a place where life feels manageable. I recognize that honest and direct feedback opens up the ability for growth and change, and will always offer that. Together we will investigate different approaches to get you to where you want to be and to meet your goals. We will create a space that is affirming, laid back, and collaborative to encourage safety so that you can show up fully, as yourself. I want you to feel like we are a team, because we are!
In my first session, expect for us to get to know each other, maybe share a laugh or two, and go over what your needs and goals are for our time together moving forward. We may complete any necessary paperwork at this time as well.
One of my greatest strengths is giving direct and honest feedback, while also offering humor at times to ease distress. I can be laid back and easy going but also will support you in deep, serious, investigative work as well. I have worked with a wide range of people who are all different ages, and have different cultural backgrounds and life experiences. I will always go above and beyond and we will figure out whatever it is together. I have experience in a wide range of therapeutic approaches.
My ideal client is curious, open minded, and receptive to feedback. I will meet you where you are at, and we will figure it out together! I have worked with clients who have a wide range of needs, including but not limited to, support around depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, BPD, ADHD, low self esteem, grief and loss, relationship concerns, past trauma, and life transitions.
I also went to school for Dance/ Movement Therapy and offer a mind body approach. I think it is important to consider how the body holds our emotions so that we can work on holistic healing, and can offer this perspective during sessions, if desired.
I utilize ACT therapy to support you in identifying your values, and thinking about how you can live within those values to encourage building satisfaction and joy in daily life. I will support you in accepting the things you can't change, and working on the things you can.
I will use CBT to support reframing negative thinking to neutral statements first, so that they are easier to accept. I will support you in decreasing negative thinking overall and will help you identify how your thoughts effect your actions.
I can offer support in using DBT skills to support increasing distress tolerance window and forming better relationships.
I have experience working with couples and can provide couples counseling.