Marina Atef

As a therapist, I understand what it means to carry something without language for it. Growing up in a immigrant household, I learned early that strength often looked like silence and I watched what goes unprocessed quietly shape the people around me. That experience is at the heart of why I do this work, and it informs every room I step into as a clinician. 

My approach is relational, culturally informed, and trauma-focused. Rather than relying on a single framework, I draw from a range of evidence-based modalities including trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, mindfulness-based practices, and family systems approaches meeting each client where they are and tailoring the work to what they actually need. I believe healing happens when people feel genuinely seen, and creating that experience in the therapeutic relationship is at the center of everything I do.

My background spans juvenile justice diversion, school-based counseling, applied behavior therapy, and career support for neurodivergent young adults which means I have sat with kids in crisis, families navigating systems, and young adults trying to figure out who they are in a world that does not always make space for them. I bring all of that experience into my clinical work. I also have a particular passion for working with immigrant and refugee families, BIPOC communities, and individuals navigating intergenerational and cultural trauma; populations whose experiences are too often undertreated or misunderstood in clinical settings. 

If you are looking for a therapist who will show up with warmth, curiosity, and a deep respect for your story, I would be honored to work with you.