Holistic Counseling & EMDR Therapy in santa barbara + online across Ca
Reclaim your energy.
Reclaim your Self.
Reclaim your life.
Life doesn’t look or feel the way you wish it did.
Does it seem like no matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to handle life like other people do?
The daily stuff of life and relationships all adds up, and it all feels big. Stress, anxiety, and self-criticism are a constant buzz in your brain. Your mind won’t stop and your body is paying the price.
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Why you seem to feel things more intensely than other people do. Maybe you’re just “dramatic” or “sensitive.”
Being called on in class and looking stupid. Or If you said the wrong thing at your work meeting or when out with friends.
Why the guy you went on a few dates with hasn’t texted back.
Why you do so many nice things for others (partner, husband, family, friends) but you feel invisible or not good enough.
What others want and need and considering how they feel takes a lot of your time and energy yet you can’t figure out why people don’t seem to do the same for you.
Why you’re so tired all the time and why it seems like other people handle life so much better than you do.
A thousand other things all at once!
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You’re feeling pulled to spend time with others when you really desperately want downtime.
You can’t say no. You give and then give some more.
You feel different. Friends just want to go out all the time but you get overstimulated easily or really crave 1:1 deep conversation; small talk can be exhausting.
You don’t feel like you’re getting much out of your relationships and activities, though you are constantly putting effort in.
You are constantly considering how others feel, and yet no one is offering to lighten your load.
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What others think and need and how they feel about you.
Everything you did and didn't do or say.
Your body & appearance.
If you’re on the right track in life and what you should be doing next.
Your to-do list that keeps getting longer as people keep asking you for things and you feel compelled to say yes.
Possibly everything!
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Life feels overwhelming, and you just want to hide under the covers where it’s cozy and safe and you don’t have to deal with anyone.
Your mind is exhausting with its constant critique of your every mistake and what you should’ve done better, assuming the worst, fantasizing how your life should be if you could just get it together.
Adulting feels hard, whether you're 20, 30, 40, or even 50 or more.
Maybe you’re even sick with migraines, IBS, autoimmune illness, or just generally feel “off.”
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You are tired, frazzled, worried, unfulfilled, and losing all motivation.
Your moods feel all over the place and you’re trying not to let anyone see that you’re struggling. Afterall, you don’t want to be a burden and you’re good at putting on a brave face, saying you’re “fine,” and pushing through.
You are constantly doubting yourself.
You are so confused about why you can be so “on track” in some areas of life, and feel like such a hot mess in others.
You used to be able to do so much more; now every day feels like a struggle. Feeling stressed is an understatement.
Everyone around you seems to have it together and you feel like the dramatic and sensitive one that can’t handle life and is totally falling apart (on the inside of course, because you’re using all your energy to show everyone you’re fine!). Self-help books, IG, and podcasts just aren’t cutting it and you don’t know what to do but can’t keep feeling this out of control.
Things can be different than they are today & you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Hi, I’m mari.
Let’s uncover the best version of YOU and create lasting change!
I help sensitive, overwhelmed, & unsatisfied individuals harness their strength to feel more grounded, peaceful, & powerful in their relationships and their life.
I assist clients in learning skills to find harmony inside and out. Therapy with me combines insight and action. There is a way to feel more sanity, more satisfaction, & more serenity. You truly can lead the life you desire.
As a holistic & EMDR therapist, I focus on the whole person, not just the problems or symptoms you are facing. I can help you harness your sensitivity into one of your greatest strengths. Together we can journey toward the life you want to live.
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Find Relief: Learn to harness your mind and quiet the incessant worry, doubt, fear, self criticism, and over-analyzing. Reduce stress, overwhelm, disconnection, and feeling drained and numb. Rediscover motivation and stop feeling controlled by your moods.
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Connect Authentically: Learn what’s blocking you from feeling satisfied in relationships. Learn skills to identify and communicate your feelings and needs. Rediscover how to feel safe and connected in your relationships again, including with yourself.
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Build Trust: Learn to quiet the inner critic and start to appreciate and celebrate the unique and wonderful parts of you that already exist. I promise! Stop doubting yourself, gain confidence and self trust, and start to feel empowered in your life.
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Transform: EMDR is a powerful technique and type of therapy that while initially designed to address trauma, has been found to address a broad range of symptoms and challenges. This technique often helps relieve symptoms such as anxiety or depression, improve overall emotional regulation, increase self esteem, and improve relationships. It can help create deep and lasting change.
I specialize in therapy for:
In our sessions together, we will…
CONNECT
If you’re curious if we’re a good fit, click the button below to schedule a free15-minute consultation. There is no obligation. I’ll be happy to connect and answer your questions.
JOIN
Getting started is easy. You’ll complete intake forms prior to our first meeting on my convenient online portal. Our first sessions will help identify what’s most important to you to work on.
TRANSFORM
We will collaborate together to find the tools and answers you need to heal in body, mind, & spirit and to create lasting change. You CAN enjoy an abundant, meaningful, balanced, & fulfilling life grounded in confidence and well-being.
Stop doubting & start living
A safe place for healing and transformation:
It can feel scary to start therapy for the first time, or daunting starting with a new person who has to get to know you and your story all over again. I’ve got you!
I create an open and safe space, and I will provide the map. You just need to be you. And be open and willing to give it a try. I want you to feel good and enjoy coming to therapy, even through the tough moments.
Therapy with me will include deep work and sometimes be uncomfortable, of course. AND it can also be inspiring, playful, and even fun!
Taking the first step to call for a consult is all that’s needed. (Big sigh of relief!). You don’t have to know any more than that right now.
How I can help
I specialize in therapy for lasting change.
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I am an EMDRIA Certified EMDR therapist. EMDR is an evidence- based modality that uses bilateral stimulation to help restore, heal, and rewire the brain to fully process and resolve stuck painful, overwhelming, and/or traumatic memories.
This process helps you clear emotions, energy, and perspectives that trigger strong reactions to situations in the present.
EMDR helps clients find lasting freedom from repeating patterns, intrusive thoughts and symptoms so they are better able to connect and feel safe in themselves and with others.
Clients find they feel lighter, more spacious and energized, have better control of emotions, greater self compassion, and an ability to act in better alignment with their needs and values in the present.
Learn more under my Specialties section.
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While the therapy relationship and process is a big element of change, education and experiential practice is a strong element of therapy with me. I teach various skills to help clients learn to prevent, manage, and reduce challenging symptoms and reactions, as well as to feel empowered in their own well-being vs relying on feeling better only in therapy.
I offer a blend of various evidence-based strategies to foster understanding of current symptoms, patterns, and triggers as well as to move toward relief. Change always starts with awareness, and is more sustainable with the addition of skills. I used methods such as: CBT, ACT, IFS, inner child work, Attachment, Mindfulness, Somatic Awareness, and much more.
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Holistic therapy looks at the person as a whole, to include mind, body, and spirit, and understands that if one area is blocked, there can be an impact in other dimensions as well. There is no true separation between them. People often experience deeper understanding and healing through this lens.
Holistic therapy may include the influence on your well- being of your values, life stage, spirituality, creativity, environment, relationships, nutrition, career, education, and more. Ultimately, we will focus on the areas of life that are of most value to you.
Holistic therapy may include alternate terminology and additional practices (such as through imagery, visualization, or body scans) that help clients uncover stuck emotions and imbalances that promote deeper awareness and healing.
Easy access, ease of mind.
In-person therapy for adults & young adults in Santa Barbara as well as online therapy across CA
I have flexibility for both in person and online sessions depending on your location and preference (including EMDR). Whichever way we meet, it is my intention to create a warm, inviting space for us to work together.
My genuine relational approach makes it easy to feel connected.
Therapy with me is…
A safe space to be all of you
Collaborative, we will work together
Focused on healing & empowerment
Productive yet playful (when appropriate)
Therapy with me is not…
A place of judging or shame
A one-size fits all process
A quick fix, or me “fixing” you
Stuffy, rigid, and always serious