Find a therapist in San Jose, CA — covered by insurance

I am a LMFT who regularly supports adults and teens. I specialize in relationship issues, anxiety, depression, identity, self-esteem, stress management, and life transitions.

I earned my M.S. in Psychology at Cal Poly SLO and earned my B.A. in Psychology at UCSB. I have worked in a variety of settings including private practice, community mental health, and school-based programs. I am dedicated to learning about and utilizing the latest research and interventions to best support her clients.

Eclectic approach that integrates a variety of modalities based on each clients needs.

Feeling lighter and leaving with tools & skills to utilize between sessions to better navigate.

www.marielrtherapy.com

You are the one everyone relies on - the strong one. Even when you’re running on empty, you keep showing up, holding it together, and pushing through. On the outside, you look composed. Inside, you might feel exhausted, unseen, or detached from yourself. I work with adults break free from patterns that keep them stuck in survival mode. We will work on reconnecting with your needs, rebuilding self trust, and creating a balanced, authentic relationship with yourself. I bring a compassionate, steady presence to therapy; no cold stares or awkward silences. Just a real human connection, where you can feel safe enough to show up. As a therapist for the past 9 years and someone who has navigated my own share of life’s complexities, I understand the invisible weight we often carry; anxiety, depression, expectations, and the pressure to hold everything together.

Choosing the right therapist is important, so I offer a free 15-20 minute phone or video consultation to discuss your needs and ensure we’re a good fit. There’s no pressure; this call is simply an opportunity for you to learn more and decide if you’d like to move forward with therapy. You may take your time after the call to decide whether to move forward.

I believe that meaningful mental health care starts with trust, compassion, and genuine connection. Over the past 15 years, I have worked across a variety of healthcare settings, including trauma nursing, emergency nursing, and nurse leadership roles, caring for individuals and families during some of life's most challenging moments. These experiences have reinforced my belief that every person deserves to be treated with dignity, empathy, and respect.

My commitment to mental health care is also shaped by personal experience. Like many people, I have witnessed the impact of mental health challenges in my own life and among loved ones, which has deepened my understanding of the courage it takes to seek help. I strive to create a welcoming, judgment-free space where clients feel comfortable discussing difficult thoughts, emotions, and life experiences.

Welcome, I'm glad you're here.

Being in the mental health field for many years has helped me see the importance of being able to work through our issues, and the importance of seeking support. I've worked with various populations within the mental health field, however I find I've shifted in working people who struggle with depression and anxiety, as well as relationship issues.

I work primarily with young adults who are feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or stuck — especially when it comes to anxiety and relationship challenges. Many of my clients are used to holding it all together on the outside, but internally feel lost or unsure of how to move forward.

I bring a calm, grounded presence to the work, even in high-stress situations. Much of my background is in working with clients in crisis, which allows me to help you navigate difficult emotions without things feeling out of control. At the same time, I’m warm, relatable, and honest — I’ll meet you where you are, while also gently challenging patterns that may be keeping you stuck when or if needed.

I have experience working with a variety of diagnoses and issues, including depression, anxiety, substance use, PTSD, domestic violence, life transitions, LGBTQIA+ issues, and gender identity. I work with all types of clients and issues ranging from anxiety, substance use, gender identity, and navigating life transitions. I love working with the LGBTQIA+ community and aim to provide affirming care to all identities.

I’m so glad you’re here! I provide therapy for individuals navigating life’s most challenging moments. I support individuals facing depression, anxiety, grief and loss, caregiver stress, and major life transitions. My goal is to create a supportive space where healing and self-confidence can grow.

My approach is direct and caring with a listening ear and inquisitive mind. I utilize Psychodynamic, EMDR, IFS and a little bit of almost all other therapy modalities to challenge my clients. I specialize in Men's issues, anxiety/depression, Trauma and couples.

Born in Vietnam and raised in the United States, my career has spanned work as a classroom teacher, registered financial advisor, technical and relational manager, and EAP counselor for Fortune 500 companies. With additional training in substance abuse, employee assistance programs, and LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy, I combine practical real-world experience with compassionate, identity-affirming care.

I have the caring nature and problem solving skills that can support you in coping with a variety of situations. Over the years working in healthcare I have handled the many needs of a diverse group of patients (children and adults) and their families. I care about my clients and utilizing a solution focused approach, empower them to overcome obstacles.