(she/her)
My name is Marianne Redmond Lopez, and I’m probably not your typical therapist—and honestly, that’s kind of the point. I’m a survivor of many things, I’m transparent, and I can be a little unorthodox. You’ll never have to wonder if you’re sitting with a real person. I’m down-to-earth, direct, and I bring a solid sense of humor into the room—because life is already doing the most. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Virginia and licensed in VA, KY, DC, OR, MA, MI, IL, and RI (with more on the way). My goal? To help you stop just surviving and start actually living—with clarity, confidence, and a whole lot less chaos. I don’t do surface-level. I’m not here to nod politely and send you on your way with a worksheet and a “good luck.” We’re going to dig in, connect the dots, and figure out what’s actually going on—so you can heal from the inside out and have real tools that work in your everyday life. I work with adults and couples dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma/PTSD, grief, relationship issues, addictions, narcissistic abuse, and personality-related struggles. I also work with first responders, healthcare professionals, therapists, teachers—people who are great at holding it together for everyone else but are quietly running on fumes themselves. My style is relational, eclectic, and practical—blending DBT, CBT, trauma-informed care, and solution-focused work. Translation: we’ll talk, we’ll get honest, and we’ll actually do something with it. You can expect real conversations, real insight, and real change. Life gets messy. Good news—you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Our first session together? It’s pretty straightforward—and no, you don’t need to have it all figured out before you show up. We’ll start by getting a sense of what’s bringing you in, what’s been going on, and what you’re hoping might feel different in your life. You can share as much or as little as you’re comfortable with—we’ll go at your pace. I’ll ask questions (sometimes direct ones), connect some dots, and help you start making sense of things. This is not an interrogation, and it’s definitely not a place where you need to “perform” or say the right things. You don’t need a perfect timeline, a polished story, or a therapy vocabulary. Just show up as you are. You can expect me to be real with you—supportive, but honest. I’m not a “nod and smile” therapist. If something stands out, I’m going to say it. If something doesn’t make sense, we’ll look at it together. And yes, there’s usually a little humor mixed in, because sometimes that’s what helps things feel human again. We’ll also talk about goals—what you want to work on and what “better” actually looks like for you. And if you’re not sure yet? That’s okay too. We’ll figure it out together. Most importantly, this is your space. No judgment, no pressure—just a place to start sorting things out. And if you leave that first session thinking, “Okay…that actually helped,” then we’re on the right track.
I’m real. What you see is what you get. I’m not going to sit quietly and nod if something important is being missed—I’m going to be present, engaged, and honest in a way that’s supportive, not harsh. I’m good at connecting the dots. People often come in feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure where to start. I can quickly see patterns, themes, and what’s underneath the surface—and help you make sense of it in a way that actually feels useful. I balance insight with action. We’re not just going to talk in circles. You’ll gain understanding, but you’ll also leave with practical ways to move forward in your day-to-day life. I’m steady. Whether things feel messy, heavy, or complicated, I don’t get easily rattled. That steadiness helps create a space where you can be honest without feeling judged or rushed. I meet people where they are. No pressure to be perfect, no expectation to have the “right” words. You can show up exactly as you are, and we’ll work from there. And I bring humor when it fits—because sometimes a small moment of laughter is what makes hard things feel just a little more manageable.
My ideal clients are people who are tired of just getting by and are ready for something to actually change—even if they’re not quite sure how to get there yet. You might be the one everyone relies on—the helper, the fixer, the strong one—and you’re realizing it’s catching up with you. On the outside, things may look “fine,” but internally you’re overwhelmed, exhausted, or quietly struggling. I work well with people who are open to being honest—even when it’s uncomfortable—and willing to look a little deeper than the surface. You don’t have to have it all figured out, but a willingness to show up and do the work matters. Many of my clients are first responders, healthcare professionals, therapists, teachers, and other high-responsibility roles. I also work with individuals and couples navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship challenges, narcissistic dynamics, addictions, and long-standing patterns like people-pleasing or difficulty setting boundaries. If you’re looking for a therapist who will just sit back, nod, and agree with everything—you probably won’t like me. If you’re looking for someone who will be real with you, help you connect the dots, and support you in making meaningful, lasting change—we’ll likely work well together. You don’t need to be “ready” in some perfect way. You just need to be willing to start.
Eclectic
I’m an eclectic therapist, meaning I use what works best for you—not just one approach. I draw from research-based therapies including DBT, CBT, relational, attachment-based, Gottman and EFT for couples, mindfulness, solution-focused, trauma-informed, and client-centered work. I use these to help you understand what’s going on, regulate emotions, shift thinking patterns, build real-life coping skills, and set boundaries that actually stick.