Modern therapy for people going through life
We have just the right therapist for you
We believe
There is no one size fits all for therapy
Our Expertise
Experts who can help you through whatever you are experiencing
View all areas of focusCommunity Workshops and Events
Marra is proud to offer community events for current clients and curious guests alike—all are welcome. We also offer professional development sessions for mental health practitioners who are looking to bring new perspectives to their practice.
Flow State
MINDFULNESS THROUGH MOVEMENT
Unhappy Hour: A Sober Social
NAVIGATING A COMPLEX WORLD
Thriving Minds Collective
EXPANDING EMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING
Multiple Modalities
We tailor every session to fit you; your story, your rhythm, your goals. Our approach is grounded in proven methods but led by who you are as a person. It’s therapy that meets you where you are and evolves as you do.
BOOK A CONSULTATIONWhat it is: A collaborative, client-led approach grounded in empathy, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard. You set the pace; we track with you—no judgment, no power plays.
What it looks like at Marra: Conversational sessions with reflective listening, clarifying questions, and gentle challenge when you’re ready.
Skills you will build: Self-trust, emotional awareness, boundary clarity, confident decision-making
What it is: A practical, skills-based model for managing big emotions and tough relationships without burning bridges—with yourself or others.
What it looks like at Marra: Bite-size skills taught in session, real-life reps between sessions, handouts, scripting, and feedback loops.
Core tools: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness, diary cards.
Skills you will build: Regulating emotions, riding out urges, communicating needs, setting limits, crisis planning you’ll actually use.
What it is: A compassionate model that sees you as a system of “parts” led by your core Self—calm, curious, and wise. We help parts unblend so you’re driving, not your triggers.
What it looks like at Marra: Guided exercises to meet parts, understand their jobs, and release burdens—paced for safety and consent.
Skills you will build: Internal leadership, self-compassion, flexible responding, reduced reactivity, clearer choices.
What it is: Training your attention to the present moment with a nonjudgmental stance. It’s practical brain hygiene—reducing autopilot, widening your window of tolerance, and creating space between trigger and response.
What it looks like at Marra: Short, repeatable practices in session and micro-practices you can use in real life (60-second resets, mindful pauses before tough conversations). We integrate mindfulness with CBT, DBT, IFS, and attachment work so it’s not just calm—it’s actionable.
Skills you will build: Attention control, nervous-system downshifting, tolerating discomfort.
What it is: We start with what’s working—your values, skills, and wins—and scale it. Not toxic positivity; just leverage.
What it looks like at MARRA: Goal-aligned sessions that surface strengths, track progress, and turn momentum into habits.
Skills you will build: Confidence, momentum, resilience, self-efficacy, practical goal execution.
What it is: An evidence-based framework connecting thoughts, feelings, and actions. We test unhelpful thinking against reality and design new habits that stick.
What it looks like at Marra: Structured sessions, thought records, behavioral experiments, and graded exposure when appropriate.
Skills you will build: Realistic thinking, mood stabilization, habit formation, effective problem-solving, personalized coping plans.
What it is: A trauma-focused approach that helps the brain reprocess “stuck” memories using bilateral stimulation so the charge comes down and your system updates to the present.
What it looks like at Marra: Standardized EMDR phases—prep and resourcing, target mapping, reprocessing, re-evaluation—prioritizing safety and consent. In person or telehealth with adapted bilateral stimulation.
Skills you will build: Grounding under stress, embodied safety cues, adaptive belief updating, steadier day-to-day regulation.
What it is: An attachment-based model that transforms negative interaction cycles into secure connection. We slow conflict, surface core emotions, and build a safer bond so you can reach for each other instead of react.
What it looks like at MARRA: We map your pursue/withdraw patterns, de-escalate hot moments, and guide bonding conversations that create new, secure scripts. Structured stages: de-escalation → restructuring interactions → consolidation.
Skills you will build: Co-regulation under stress, vulnerability that lands, responsive attunement (A.R.E.: accessible, responsive, engaged), reliable repair after ruptures, a felt sense of safety and closeness.
What it is: A research-backed framework (the Sound Relationship House) that strengthens friendship, manages conflict, and builds shared meaning. It’s practical, measurable, and habit-driven.
What it looks like at Marra: Assessment and feedback (questionnaires + live observation), a clear plan, and weekly skill reps. We practice interventions in session and set simple rituals you can sustain at home.
Skills you will build: Productive conflict without escalation, effective repair and de-escalation, daily connection rituals, appreciation and admiration culture, alignment on goals and shared meaning.
OUR RESPONSIBILITY
We foster relationships built on trust
A COMMUNITY
of CARE
We know that an authentic experience of belonging can be deeply healing and transformative. As Marra grows, we aim to create a thriving community where services are offered in unexpected and innovative ways – through specialized groups, programming, and social events. Across every touchpoint, we show that we care deeply about each other, the many communities we serve, and cultivating a village approach to our therapeutic model.
Learn MoreFAQS
What to expect from your visits
Bring yourself, your questions, and whatever you’re feeling—exactly as you are.
Individual and couples sessions are 55 minutes. Think of it as a focused hour: enough time to get traction, end with intention, and set you up for real-life follow-through.
What you share in therapy is completely confidential except for a few exceptions. This includes information regarding wanting to harm yourself or others.
Our entire team is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plans. In addition, some Marra providers are paneled with UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, and Aetna—coverage varies by clinician.
If you plan to use United, Cigna, or Aetna, tell us when you book and we’ll match you with an in-network provider when available.
If your ideal therapist isn’t in-network with your plan, you can still work with them using self-pay, and we’ll provide a superbill so you can submit for any out-of-network benefits.
We run a courtesy benefits check before your first appointment, but final costs are determined by your plan (deductible, copay/coinsurance, and any visit limits).
Payment is due at the time of service.
You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. It’s a dedicated hour to know yourself better, maximize your strengths, and keep your relationships thriving.
People start therapy for all kinds of reasons—navigating a life transition, caring for an aging parent, getting engaged, welcoming a new baby, starting a new job or relationship, or simply noticing the duality of joy and stress at the same time.
You don’t have to hit rock bottom to ask for support.
Absolutely. Marra offers in-person therapy at our River West office in Chicago and many clients prefer the feel of being in the room together.
We also provide secure, HIPAA-compliant virtual sessions you can take from the comfort and privacy of your home (or office) anywhere in Illinois.
You’re welcome to stick with one format or mix in-person and telehealth based on your schedule and preferences—just let us know your preference when you book.
It depends on your goals. Therapy is a flexible space where we can look back to make sense of your story, work with what’s happening right now, and look ahead to possibilities and next moves. Some weeks feel reflective and meaning-making; other weeks are more practical and action-oriented.
We’ll tailor the pace and style to you—sometimes conversational and exploratory, sometimes structured—with evidence based approaches.
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