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Therapists answer…

Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?

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Rebecca Love

Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Online & In-Person
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I have dealt with anxiety, depression, and insomnia from childhood trauma most of my life. When I returned from my deployment in 2010, I was suffering from PTSD and was met with challenge after challenge in trying to find a competent therapist who could really help me. I decided then that I wanted to be a part of the solution, and pursued a career as a mental health provider.
My pronouns are she/her/hers. No matter if it's change for the better or a challenge we never imagined having to face, it can throw everything in life out of balance. If you're here, it's because you know there's more to life than the way you feel today. You're beyond the point of just surviving day-to-day, and you're ready to tap into your purpose, turning these life changes into something you can feel in control of and ultimately grow from. I specialize in coming alongside people as they walk through the uncomfortable, messy parts of life. I bring a no-nonsense, solution-oriented approach to therapy, helping you come to a place of contentment with life as it is, not as you wish it was (or even as you deserve it to be). Because true peace comes when we come to a place of acceptance: no longer relying on external factors as the source of our happiness. ​Therapy with me is a little different than what you may have encountered in the past. A lot of mental health work these days is very "feel good", leading many to believe that being mentally well is simply being happy or un-phased by the circumstances around them. I believe you're allowed to be angry or anxious or upset when life gets messy. Therapy is simply about equipping you to process and cope with those very real emotions in a productive, healthy way.
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Carissa Sietsema

MSW, LICSW
Online Therapy
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I understand, I have been there too, watching myself go through life while feeling like a shell of a person. After experiencing several traumatic events, the loss of both my parents in my early 20’s, and experiencing homelessness I was left reeling with a variety of painful emotions. With the support of some wonderful individuals, I was able to grab control of my life and continue to live boldly. My experiences have shown me the importance in understanding what your emotions are telling you, as they signal what isn’t working in your life. I have also learned that it is crucial that you be able to ask for help instead of trudging ahead alone. While you may have a variety of skills that have helped you get to where you are they may only bring temporary relief or be inefficient at helping you. Therefore, creating a tool box of skills that can help you tackle life’s challenges is necessary. Lastly, improving yourself isn’t enough, our environment, loved ones, and ability to have our needs met impacts us in every way imaginable. In order to thrive we must create a more supportive environment that adds to our life.
Like the name of my practice, I believe individuals are also capable of blooming throughout even the most difficult of circumstances. I specialize in working with adults struggling with anxiety, OCD, depression, and trauma. This can appear as feelings of guilt, feeling like you're dragging through life, future tripping, or thoughts taking up residence in your mind rent free. During our sessions together we will work towards achieving your goals. This process will allow you to decompress from life’s daily struggles while learning skills to find your peace and happiness. As a therapist it is my goal to help individuals have a better understanding of themselves, process past pain, and feel confident in moving through life. Feel free to reach out to schedule a free consultation by visiting my website or by calling me. I look forward to seeing you embrace life as you want it.
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Ariel Hayat

Psychotherapist
Online Therapy
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I became a therapist because of my own search for healing and self-actualization and my passion for holding space for others to do that same work. I am continuously inspired by the lived experiences and stories of my clients lives and am honored to walk along side them in their therapeutic journey.
Do you have feelings of anxiety, depression, instability, or codependency within your relationships? Do you want to find the right partner(s) or improve your current relationship but are not sure how? Are you tired of the dating game and choosing people who are unavailable? You want to be able to show up authentically for connection and chose others who can meet you there as well. The truth is you want to build relationships grounded in belonging, acceptance, growth, and healing, but are not sure where to start. We will dive deep to understand the relationship patterns and attachment styles that unconsciously guide your interactions with family members, partners, workplace colleagues, and even yourself. Together we will develop practices for self-exploration, communication, and connection. You have the inherent capacity and self-knowledge to grow, heal and thrive. I work with clients experiencing relationship challenges with parents, dating, committed relationships, friends and within workplace settings, helping them to create intentional relationships where they feel safe, fulfilled and supported. I am a trauma-trained therapist with additional training from the Ackerman Institute for the Family, the Gottman Institute, and the Internal Family Systems Institute. I have a deep commitment to and passion for creating a safe space with individuals from all races, genders, sexualities, religions, abilities, and life paths. If you want to feel more connected, fulfilled and in alignment with yourself, feel free to email me for a free 20-minute phone consultation. Looking forward to hearing from you.
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Deanna Bernard

Licensed Clinical Social Worker LCSW
Online Therapy
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
My life circumstances necessitated that I watch and pay attention for safety. I adapted to difficult situations by analyzing the scenario and implementing the best measures to resolve the conflict. I am an empath and a sensitive. I read the room by it's emotional energy and instinctively gravitate to the crux of an issue and am not afraid to peel back the layers and address the elephant in the living room. I am motivated to continue because I have studied for over 20 years how to address various maladies and obstacles. Nothing gives me more solace than to walk with people as they find their inner guide and wise self. Connecting with others in an authentic, vulnerable manner is not something that can be found in common social circumstances. However, in my profession, there is nothing trite or false- it is 100% real and meaningful.
I have been working in the mental health field for over 18 years with families, individuals and couples. I have a passion for group work and use a very collaborative approach because I know that you are the expert on yourself. I specialize in recovery from alcohol and substance abuse as well as transitions into new motherhood and women empowerment. I help couples learn and implement healthy communication. I utilize various modalities from art, writing, inner child work, experiential practices and evidenced based techniques to address the obstacles that you want to focus on and be the version of you that brings you peace and satisfaction.
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Olivia Rivera-Marmara, LCSW

Mental Health Therapist
Online & In-Person
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
​I founded Holding Space Counseling out of my passion for aiding people to discover the power of healing. Let’s work together to discover a path to your authentic self and meaningful life.
Are the stresses of your life becoming overwhelming? Do you find yourself struggling with anxiety, low motivation, an inability to engage with others, or an unexpected curveball? Major life changes can lead to feelings of numbness, stress, anxiety, and being overwhelmed. Together we will navigate how to meet your unique needs and develop a healthy and positive sense of self to accomplish your personal goals. Not only will you be able to talk about what's bothering you but it's also important to know what to do about it! I will help you manage your stressors by teaching coping skills and relaxation techniques that are individualized and evidence-based approaches. I have a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) from Rutgers University and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I am an empathic, compassionate, and genuinely invested clinician who wants to empower you to regain a sense of well-being. I have over 20 years of experience working as a social worker. I offer individual counseling for adolescents to adults starting at age 14+. I work with clients struggling with career burnout, self-esteem, anxiety, grief/loss, family conflict, stress, maternal mental health, and mood regulation. I also work with caregivers who are using Maudsley FBT therapy with their adolescents experiencing an eating disorder. ​