Meet Marie
Therapists are trained to have the capability of building relationships, even in the most challenging circumstances. However, we are simultaneously taught to keep our personal lives out of the therapy session. Confusing, right? Because a strong therapeutic alliance is the best indicator of client success, it is more important to me than ever that I am my true self in session. You will get the real me so that we can build a relationship based on authenticity.
Therapists are often portrayed as dry and aloof (thanks Freud). Very clipboard and “how does that make you feel?” Modern day therapists tend to be less “bump on a log” and more “cool and edgy.” Despite the evolution of therapists, clients have shared with me that therapy in the past has not been effective for them because the therapist “sat across from [them] taking notes” or only ever said “tell me more” and “mmm-hmm.” This is not me.
I have found that clients heal more completely when we can be unapologetically authentic with each other— or when we have a genuine connection. These connections come naturally when we have shared experiences (and sometimes you just want to work with someone who truly understands you). This means that in sessions you get the real Marie—the one that tells personal stories that validate you, has a morbid sense of humor, frequently curses and will be silly with you (ask me about my hidden talent). You get a therapist with a bright personality that has the skills, training and experience to support you…all in a non-judgmental environment.
But “why” am a therapist, especially one that wants to work with children and families in their darkest hours? Many of my colleagues would say something along the lines of, “I want to help people.” Okay, but WHY? If it were me asking, I would want to know what happened in your life that made you want to help others in THIS way? Many therapists would not answer this question directly because it would be too personal. We were trained to keep these sorts of things to ourselves. With me, you are going to get the authentic answer.
Throughout my life, I have always been interested in cultural and societal differences when navigating death and dying. Afterall, death is the great equalizer. You may have noticed that there are people who are comfortable talking about difficult subjects like the death and dying process. It turns out I am one of those people. I have found supporting families in mourning particularly rewarding. My interests, personal life and career aspirations crossed paths when my first child, Harvey, died in September 2015 at age 4. When it is clinically appropriate, I will share details of my experiences of child-loss and life after loss with you. The good, the bad and the ugly. Doesn’t get more authentic than that.
You can read more about Harvey and our journey.
Below (and in no particular order) is a list of my lived experiences, specialties, modalities, and training.
Don’t need grief support but like my overall vibe? Contact me for a free consultation.
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Lived Experiences
Mother of three boys
Married 10+ years
Worked in public schools/School Counselor
Children with rare conditions
Neurospicy
Ally to LGBTQIA+ folx
Death of a child
Swearing
Members of family in the military (IYKYK)
Chronic medical conditions & “hospitaling”
Geriatric millennial (google it!)
Children’s hospice participant
Tattoos & Colorful hair
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Passion Areas & Specialties
Supporting parents after the death of their child
Complicated grief
Prolonged Grief
Traumatic Grief
Re-connecting with nature
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Working with children and teenagers
Working with parents to improve skills, boost confidence and encourage self-efficacy
Working with adults, especially parents, on healing their inner child and breaking generational curses
Anxiety
Depression
Emotional outcomes of chronic illness, medical trauma, & PTSD
Identifying & supporting Highly Sensitive children & Highly Sensitive People
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Modalities & Training
Certified Grief Educator
Certified Nature-Informed Therapist
Certified Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavior Therapist (TF-CBT) for children 5-16yrs
Brainspotting
Certified End-of-life Specialist
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT)
Child Centered Play Therapy (CCPT)
10 years as a Professional School Counselor in Maryland Public Schools
Mindfulness practices
Expressive arts therapy
Gender and identity affirming therapy
My Why: Meet Harvey
Harvey is my oldest son. A sweet boy with curly hair, like me. You’d often see him laughing while banging his favorite spoon on anything within arms reach. My spouse and I learned early on, before he was even born, that Harvey would face some struggles. We did not know that he would develop several serious medical conditions and later a rare form of epilepsy, Lennox Gastaut-Syndrome would cut his life short.
“Harvey” means “battle-ready,” and he fought more wars within his own body than most of us will face in a lifetime. He did it with a strength and grace that we can only aspire to, and trust me when I say I do aspire to be like him. Harvey died at home in September 2015, at the age of 4. I knew that when I was ready, I wanted to support families like mine.
Learn more about our journey, and find resources for families facing chronic illness, child loss, or rare diseases.