Marina Williams, Counsellor in Jamaica Plain, 02130

Marina Williams, MA LMHC

Profession(s):
Counselling
License Status:
I'm a licensed professional.
Primary License:
Allied Mental Health As A Mental Health Counselor

My Approach to Helping

Do you want to have better relationships?
Do you want more peace and harmony in your home?
Do you want to free yourself from feelings of sadness and depression?
Do you want to be able to communicate better with your spouse?
Do you want to feel more comfortable in social situations?
Do you want to stop worrying and start focusing on what?s really important?

I believe that therapy is about helping the client achieve what they want in life, whether it be to have more confidence and joy in their lives or to have better relationships with others. Therapy is about what you want, not what the therapist thinks you should want. This is because you are really your own expert and knows what works best for you better than anyone else. I'm not going to tell you who you should be married to or how you should parent your child. Instead I'm going to help you build on your strengths and maximize what comes naturally to you so that you can easily integrate positive change into your life. Sometimes people feel so lost and confused by present circumstances that they don't know what they want, but I have found that while in a safe atmosphere and with gentle encouragement, people are quite capable of finding what's missing in their lives and working towards solutions.

The final advantage I have over other therapists is that therapy is truly my expertise, not just a hobby for me. I take my profession very seriously and am constantly receiving further training to add value to my services. This expertise has translated into two books I have written: "Couples Counseling: A Step by Step Guide for Therapists" and "Tricks of the Trade: How to be a Top Notch Therapist in an Age of Competition". So, if you are looking for an expert therapist, you can stop looking.

About My Practice:

Plenty of parking
Accessible from the Forest Hills T station and 42 bus
Comfortable, non-medical office
Quiet and private
Flexible office hours
Days, evenings, and weekend appointment available

More Info About My Practice

Many private practices have limited hours and are not feasible for working individuals. I recognize that many people are not able to attend appointments during the day on a regular basis, and so I offer evening and weekend appointments. I also will not jump around with your scheduled appointments. When we find a time that works for you, I will do everything I can to keep that appointment time for you on a weekly basis so that there is no confusion or inconvenience in coming to your appointments. I also recognize that some people cannot afford to attend therapy on a weekly basis and offer bi-weekly appointments as well. Ideally it is best to start therapy on a weekly basis, and then decrease sessions as you begin to show improvement, however I would rather people receive some therapy than none at all.

I accept the following insurances: Blue Cross Blue Shield and Fallon. I can also see clients who's insurance allows them to see "out of network providers". Clients without these health plans may also see me at a mutually agreed upon fee.

On the Fence About Going to Therapy?

The research has shown therapists to be just as effective as medical doctors. Therapy has also been shown to change a person's brain chemistry just like medication can. The only exception is that you don't get the awful side effects that you get from medication as well as a discontinuation syndrome after you stop taking the medication. If you are wondering if therapy really works, then let me assure you that it does. I have both witnessed it's success in my practice as well have seen it demonstrated in scientific research. It seems that the only people it doesn't work for are those that drop out early or those that are not engaged in the process. In general it takes 12 sessions to complete therapy, although some choose to stay in longer because they find counseling to be enjoyable. This is not a big commitment when you compare it to taking medications witch take a month or more to take effect and you usually need to try a few before finding the one that's "right" for you. If you've ever been curious about trying therapy, then there really is no better time than now to call and make that appointment.

Had a Negative Therapy Experience?

As a therapist, I often have to deal with the aftermath of clients’ previous therapists. Some of the complaints I have heard have truly shocked me, others I have heard so many times I am not surprised. Unfortunately, there are a minority of therapists that make the profession look bad, and I am truly sorry that you have had that experience. I believe in my profession and take my job very seriously. I have seen the power of what therapy can accomplish and feel a lot of satisfaction in saving a person's marriage or relationship. If you have been hurt in the past, I ask that you please give it another try. I also ask that if there are things about your therapist that you do not like (such as talking too much or not talking enough for your personal preference) that you speak up and provide this valuable feedback. It will not hurt the therapist's feelings and this feedback is necessary in order to tailor your treatment to fit your own individual needs.