Mara Romanak, M.A.

Individuals · Couples · Consultation · Young Adults · Adults

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
License No: MFC 21127

About My Practice

Are you a young adult going through a difficult time? For many, navigating the years between adolescence and mature adulthood can be quite challenging. You may feel that there are tools to manage life and relationships that others have but you don’t. Anxiety, unhappiness, doubt, or a sense of inner turmoil may be constant or frequent companions.

These uncomfortable feelings have a message to give, and understanding and accepting both the feelings and the message is key to change. A therapist can help you explore these aspects of yourself in a way that is hard to do on your own.

Recent research on the brain shows that we are capable of making new neurological connections well into old age. Therapy can actually change your brain by developing and strengthening more desirable connections that help you feel more content and in control of your life.

I have many years of experience working with young women and men, and I bring an open, curious, and collaborative approach to my work. In a safe, supportive environment, we can help you better navigate the world of relationships, work, and self-understanding.

Professional Interests:

• Working with young adults in their 20s to mid-30s as they go through important life transitions: leaving home, defining their adult identity, making career decisions, learning how to have healthy relationships, becoming parents.
• Working through creative blocks.
• Identifying and changing limiting beliefs that affect self-esteem.
• Using EMDR to reduce the negative impact of single-incident traumatic events.
• Understanding how the brain works and why that’s important to how we feel

Education:

• M.A., Vermont College, 1982
• B.A., University of Michigan, 1972

Experience / Training:

Over 25 years experience including family service agency, EMDR, somatic awareness, and holistic health.

Professional Affiliations / Activities

• California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
• EMDR International Association
• Certified EMDR therapist