My Approach to Helping
Our supervisee in social work, Mariel Andersen, is working towards LCSW licensure after earning her Master’s from Virginia Commonwealth University. Mariel earned her first Master’s in clinical psychology from the University of Maryland, where her capstone project examined social support during young adulthood transitions. At the University of Virginia, Mariel majored in Cognitive Science while researching perception, virtual reality, and relationships. Mariel has provided services in diverse contexts, where she has focused on alleviating distress associated with depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, and existential concerns. Mariel draws from her strong research background to balance empirical knowledge of clinicalphenomena with a non-categorical approach. This allows every client to be seen as an individual,not as a diagnosis. Mariel sees the therapeutic process as reciprocal, with the client’sperspectives determining which interventions enter into the clinical partnership. Mariel shapes the therapy session into a judgment-free space where her clients are free to engage with their most authentic thoughts and feelings. She draws from varied theoretical influences, from Carl Rogers to Mr. Rogers. Her therapeutic style is warm, natural, and eclectic, creating a relaxed atmosphere for self-expression and growth.