LGBTQ+ Therapists in Edwardsville, IL

Update:(Current availability for Clinical Supervision) You are the expert on you. I am here to walk beside you as we increase your awareness, understanding, and insight of what has happened to you and the ways past traumatic experiences are currently affecting your life. Your brain adapted so that you could survive. Your current struggles may be from adaptations that no longer serve you. Together, we will develop this insight and engage in life changing, trauma informed, work. It is important that we, both, determine a good and ethical fit in our roles as client and therapist. Visit my websites' "About Your Therapist" tab for more.

Marilyn is a Board Certified Art Therapist specializing in trauma-informed care and abuse recovery work. Marilyn has extensive experience working with adults and adolescents fleeing and recovering from domestic violence and sexual abuse, substance use recovery, depression, and anxiety. Marilyn also specializes in work with the LGBTQIA + and BIPOC communities and follows strengths-based, person-centered, empowerment-focused modalities.Throughout her career, Marilyn's clients have described her approach to treatment as non-judgmental, empathetic, and direct.

Helping others find peace, healing and empowerment is the center of my work as a therapist. Drawing from several theoretical approaches, I have helped individuals work through trauma, family conflict, relationship difficulties, and life transitions. I offer a safe place to help individuals heal past wounds, improve relationships and restore balance.

3/27/23: Currently accepting new clients. Do you feel like you can’t catch a break? Are your thoughts are constantly racing? Anxiety, depression and isolation from friends and family feel like insurmountable obstacles? You are not alone. Whatever you are facing, you deserve a space that is solely dedicated to supporting your needs. I have over 15 years of experience collaborating with individuals to quiet their inner critic, establish positive habits and implement strategies to become “unstuck” and find direction in the midst of life’s challenges.

You may be tired and frustrated. Perhaps things are not where you want them, but you aren't sure how to get back on track. Because choosing a counselor can be difficult, we want to be able to help you through that process. We are a group of counselors who each bring unique perspectives to the individuals we work with. We are happy to talk with you about your situation and answer any questions you may have so that you can decide who is right for you. Detailed counselor profiles are also available on our website.

Asking for help is one of the most difficult things for someone to do. Life is not always easy, and sometimes we cannot do it on our own. This is nothing to be ashamed of. Life changes can bring about anxiety, depressed mood, or other more serious symptoms. I can provide a comfortable, non-judgemental environment and help you sort through these emotions, regroup, and heal.

Almost all of us struggle, from time to time, with worry, unhappiness, self-hate, despair and anger. With too many negative feelings, our interpersonal lives can become conflicted and dysfunctional. We may lose our friends, job, or even our life partner, Further, we may turn to any number of drugs or behaviors to try to manage our pain. Psychotherapy helps us to understand, cope with, and even change our painful feelings and behaviors. The goal is to enjoy and engage in life more fully, and move towards the goals that will give our lives meaning and value.

I believe that there are many reasons that a person may seek out counseling at some period in their lives. I value that your experiences and concerns are unique to you and therefore, understand the importance of listening to your individual story. With an individualistic approach, I believe that we can work collaboratively for you to understand your situation with greater self-awareness and identify your own personal strengths which will empower you to cope with circumstances more effectively.

I understand that the choice of a therapist is an important one. The trust that is built between the client and the therapist is important in determining how helpful therapy can be. I work hard to create a supportive therapeutic environment. I believe in providing a safe, non-judgmental atmosphere and encourage people to talk at a pace that is comfortable for them. I believe that an individual has the ability to learn to do things differently and feel better. I use techniques associated with the widely recognized cognitive behavioral theory as well as those from family system's theory.

My life's work is to help individuals understand intimately themselves through psychotherapy. To utilize the deeper levels of the self, achieve richer relationships,and an appreciation for who they are. Primary, to successful therapy is the relationship between the client and therapist. My work: Children,Adolescents and Adults. Child/Adolescents-self esteem,depression anxiety, relationship, family issues, school issues. Adults: depression, anxiety, relationship,gender issues,grief. Psychotherapist/Psychoanalyst, child, adolescent and adult and seniors. Faculty member/the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute(president 2010-2013), Asst. Clinical professor, Dept. of Psychiatry, St. Louis Universityjoint appt./Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital.

Thank you for taking the time to visit our page. We know that choosing the right therapist is an important decision. If you or someone you know is looking for assistance dealing with life's challenges, we are here to help. Karvinen Counseling Services is a safe, comfortable, and confidential place to get the help you need. Our group of licensed, qualified therapists provides assessment, counseling, and treatment based on each person's unique needs. You will get the quality of care, professionalism, and attention you deserve.

As a therapist, I strive to meet my clients where they're at and increase their self-awareness, which in turn helps them understand their thoughts and feelings in relation to the problems at hand. I realize that my clients are the experts in their own life experiences, therefore, utilize an individualistic approach in working alongside them in efforts to restore emotional balance.

At some point in every person's life, therapy can be helpful. People who seek therapy are engaging in a healthy, proactive approach towards their life. They are typically seeking to implement positive, lasting life change and growth. Counseling, or therapy, is considered a collaborative, cooperative, problem-solving process, actively involving both the client and counselor, to bring about emotional or behavioral change. Counseling is a proactive and healthy way to manage life stress, work through trauma, develop coping skills, improve behavior, communication and more. As a private practice counseling group, our goal is to help.

I have an appreciation for complexity and understand that most of us live a life full of contradictions - striving for goodness, happiness, prosperity, low drama, and quality relationships. I get to witness clients create a foundation of safety from which they can pursue their personal and relational goals. I have a passion for working with both traditional relationships and alternative lifestyle clients, as individuals or couples. My clients are often unraveling past traumatic and toxic relationships or simply navigating the unknown with the goals of creating new, healthy patterns of communication, safety, and intimacy.

Mazey received her Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology from the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology. While in graduate school, Mazey completed her first publication with other members of her cohort. "Attention Problems in Cognitive Strategies for Clients, Community Mental Health & Criminal Justice Professionals" is currently used as a guide in facilities all over the state of Colorado. At Choices Counseling, Mazey works as an offense-specific therapist with adults and juveniles. Mazey is passionate about helping people from all walks of life, especially those who belong to a vulnerable population.