After four years as Balance Psychotherapy, we’re excited to introduce our new name – Marra
We’ve grown and evolved, and our new name reflects our commitment to providing compassionate, evidence-based therapy that honors the whole person.
Rooted in Marratutuyari (the Huichol word for “deer”), Marra draws inspiration from the sacred Blue Deer, a revered spirit guide for the Wixárika people of Mexico. In choosing this name, we honor our founder’s ancestral roots and the transformative power of guidance. Just as the Blue Deer leads seekers toward deeper understanding, we aim to walk alongside our clients as trusted guides on their path to healing.
Marra represents our dedication to creating meaningful connections and fostering healing relationships.
This is a way of life
Therapy is a way of tending to your life, not just repairing it—and at Marra, we offer in person and virtual therapy for adults navigating anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges.
Many of the adults we work with come to therapy during life transitions, periods of emotional disconnection, or moments when familiar patterns keep resurfacing in new ways. Others seek therapy because they want more ease in their relationships, support managing anxiety or depression, or a space to slow down and make sense of what they’re carrying. Whatever brings you here—change, curiosity, grief, or growth—therapy offers a supportive space to explore it.
Life can be full, complex, and demanding. While it’s tempting to navigate it alone, we believe mental health is strengthened through connection. Just like our clients, our therapists prioritize their own personal therapy and professional support. We know firsthand that having a strong support system makes a meaningful difference.
So whether you are overwhelmed and over it, or over the moon, in the thick of it or making new meaning of old stories, we welcome you and everything you bring with a warm greeting — hello, fellow traveler.
While we use our shared humanity as a starting point, our work is deeply informed by current research, data, and evidence-based psychotherapy. We integrate personal insight with science-based approaches to help our clients navigate anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and overall mental health with greater clarity and care.
17
Therapists
4
Years in Business
2
Languages
Our Founder
Our founder’s story began with a belief: therapy should feel like a part of living, not just a response to pain.
I created Marra because I couldn’t find anything like it. After a decade of working in traditional therapeutic settings and having been in therapy myself off and on for much of my life, I realized something important was missing. While there were skilled clinicians and well-intentioned practices, I never found a place that truly felt like home, felt connected, felt collaborative and felt human.
So I set out to build the space I wish I had when I needed it most. I wanted more than a solo practitioner behind a door. I wanted an ecosystem: a team of diverse therapists and practitioners who support one another, share insights and bring their collective strengths to the work. When you meet one of us, you’re supported by a whole team. We’re standing with you, together.
My identity as a Latina immigrant, a mother, and someone who believes that healing is a part of living, not just surviving, shapes everything about this practice. At Marra, therapy isn’t a last resort, it’s a lifestyle.
I am honored that you’re here. Let’s walk forward, together.
-Elisa Guevara-Brennecke
Our Space
This isn’t a clinic. It’s a space for reflection, connection, and real-life pause — because therapy should feel as comforting as your favorite corner of your home.
Located in the neighborhood of River West, Chicago, our space was created to feel warm, grounded, and thoughtfully designed. We’ve intentionally moved away from anything clinical or sterile. Instead, you’ll find natural light, calming tones, and spaces that invite stillness — a place where you can truly relax, reset, and reconnect with yourself.
Whether you’re coming for in-person therapy or simply seeking a sense of calm in the middle of a busy week, our Chicago therapy space is designed to remind you that care can feel beautiful, intentional, and human. In addition to in-person sessions, we also offer virtual therapy for adults throughout Illinois.
OUR RESPONSIBILITY
We foster relationships built on trust
Come as You Are
We are always ready to meet people exactly where they are and provide them with what they need, when they need it. It’s a nonjudgemental, inclusive invitation for our clients to bring their material to us, knowing that we will hold it and them with reverence, compassion, and expert care.
Therapy for All
This mantra has multiple meanings. For our clients, it means we are accessible, approachable, and genuinely welcoming to anyone who is ready to seek support. For our team and brand, it represents our belief that therapy and the pursuit of wellness is a lifestyle choice that can support and enrich us through every life season, chapter, and challenge.
Expertly Matched
Whatever the reason for seeking therapy, we have a therapist that’s just right. We understand that people are dynamic and benefit from a variety of viewpoints. That’s why we meticulously curate a diverse array of therapists that represent a multitude of life experiences, identities, orientations, and specializations so that when a client comes to us with a very specific need, we can say, We’ve got you.
Rooted in Humanity, Strengthened by Science
While we use our shared humanity as a starting point, our work is deeply informed by the most recent data, studies, and science-based insights. We use this combination of personal and collective wisdom to continually improve our understanding of psychology and wellness so we can help our clients manage their mental health, adjust their mindsets, gain insight into their relationship dynamics, and achieve the meaningful changes they seek.
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.
Future Best
Therapy is a pathway forward—not a pause or a backstep. We honor your story and the experiences that shaped you, but we’re here to help you move toward what’s next. Therapy with us is proactive, empowering, and deeply future-focused. It’s about building tools, gaining clarity, and creating momentum. Whether you're navigating change, healing from the past, or simply seeking a fuller sense of self, we’re here to walk with you—forward.
FAQS
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.
