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Schedule your first appointment. For follow up appointments (existing clients), please contact your therapist at 773-774-4444.
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Hi, my name is Mariana Bednarek (Mah-ree-ah-nah, she/her)! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor who works with adults. I love getting to know people from all walks of life through deep, meaningful one-on-one conversations, which translates to my passion for therapy. My passion particularly lies in working with LGBTQ+ adults who have experienced some kind of traumatic event(s). As a bisexual, neurodivergent Mexican-American cisgender woman, I embrace and strive to provide a safe space for all kinds of diversity.
Adults living with trauma, identity-related concerns, depression, anxiety, interpersonal and relationship concerns, family conflicts, and more
LGBTQ+, BIPOC, immigrant, and neurodiverse populations
I primarily think of issues through a mix of psychodynamic, feminist, and person-centered approaches. First, I am interested in knowing how childhood experiences, past relationships, the unconscious, and attachment styles have impacted you. Second, I emphasize the role that outside factors play in influencing your mental health. This can include systemic barriers to healthcare (such as poverty, lack of access to insurance) as well as racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, etc.. Last, but not least, I also greatly value the relationship I form with you, as research has consistently shown that this is a key ingredient to successful therapy, regardless of what you might specifically be looking to get out of therapy.
I will welcome and affirm you regardless of race, ethnicity, disability status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, immigration status, indigenous heritage, and more. I work from an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, feminist lens. On top of helping you identify skills you can apply to your day-to-day lives, I am willing to have difficult conversations about external oppressive systems that could be affecting your mental health and the way you navigate the world. I recognize that you don’t exist in a bubble. I believe therapeutic change comes from a number of things, including you feeling heard by and safe with me, gaining concrete skills you can apply outside of session, and developing insight into what brings you to therapy, as well as how systems of power, privilege, and oppression affect you.
When we first start working together, I like to ask you about your past experiences in therapy and what did or didn’t work. This will help me better understand what would be helpful to avoid or do more of. And if you’ve never been in therapy, of course that’s okay too. We can talk through concerns, assumptions, or expectations you might have about what our time together will look like. I also invite you to bring up how it feels to work with someone who shares my specific identities, as it may be important to you to know at least a little about me as your therapist.
While I have my own approach to therapy, ultimately you are the expert on yourself, and I recognize that not every approach will work for everyone. I will tailor my approach and work with you to find something that feels right for you. It is my top priority to have a relationship with you that is rooted in authenticity, trust, and consistency. I also understand that trust can take time to develop in any relationship, including in one with your therapist. I just ask that you be yourself so that we can begin developing a genuine bond and doing something great together.
When I’m not wearing my therapist hat, I enjoy reading, drawing, sudoku, watching true crime videos, cartoons, and horror, and taking walks outside. I also love spending time with my family, friends, partner, and cat, Smokie.
Schedule your first appointment. For follow up appointments (existing clients), please contact your therapist at 773-774-4444.