Mari Destin, MA, LMFT

Hi,

It is my desire to walk alongside you on your healing journey, to help you experience a deepened sense of awareness of who you are (your values, strengths, growth areas, blind spots) and how these things drive your day to day choices and reactions. I work with mothers during the perinatal period and beyond to assist them with the feelings of overwhelm and frustration, as they try to grapple with the many demands of motherhood and caring for themselves. My goal is to help mothers from all walks of life feel more calm within their role, and to live a life that is aligned with the core of who they are.

My Journey to Becoming a Therapist

I’m no different from the clients I see. Like everyone else, I’m human. I’ve been through both wonderful and difficult experiences that have shaped who I am and how I help.  My life experiences are what led me to become the therapist I am today.

I was drawn to the field of therapy at Lamberton High School when a visiting professor came to discuss the field of Psychology.  From the first day of class I was hooked!  I was intrigued that there was a way to make sense of my experiences growing up in my family.  Even more, I was excited that there were ways to help individuals, couples, and families heal from dysfunction and trauma.  Immediately after graduating with my Bachelors, I enrolled in the Marriage and Therapy program and my passion for this work continues to this day.

Helping People Gives My Life Meaning

Being a therapist is an honor and a privilege. I love that I get to help my clients feel good about themselves and create more balanced and fulfilling lives.  The most rewarding thing about being a therapist is seeing my clients feeling good about themselves; loving, trusting and accepting themselves; and responding to life’s challenges in effective and healthy ways.

I am committed to guiding you to where you feel more ease as you go through your day and life feels manageable again.

I am Compassionate and Bring a Calming and Grounding Presence to the Therapy Space.

I have a natural ability to:

• Understand people’s experiences
• Help people feel comfortable
• Uncover what’s under the surface
• Sense what other people may be thinking and feeling

People who know me often say that I am a good listener who helps people feel heard and understood, which helps people feel seen and start to heal.

Our Sessions are Focused on You

Therapy will provide you with the space to be who you are and to figure things out for yourself. In feeling safe and supported you’ll learn how to create a less stressful, more balanced life.

It’s important to me to provide a non-judgmental space where you can learn the skills for living with less fear and more joy, less confusion and more confidence.  There isn’t a “one size fits all” approach to therapy. Our sessions will fit your specific needs and concerns.

As a Therapist, I Embrace the Following Philosophies

• I believe that you deserve to feel better.
• I believe that you are worthy of love and care.
• I believe that emotions heal when they are witnessed and validated.
• I believe that loving and accepting ourselves for who we are, scars and all, is one of the most courageous and powerful things we can do.
• I believe that working on ourselves is the greatest gift we can give to ourselves and the world.
• I believe healing happens when we pay attention to our inner world.

My Educational Background

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Polk State College, a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology: School Counseling, and Advanced Graduate Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy all at Argosy University of Tampa

My training in Perinatal Mental Health was completed through Postpartum Support international (PSI). Additionally, I am trained in EMDR, Brainspotting, Hypnotherapy, and Internal Family Systems Theory.

My Professional Background

My experience includes 18 years working with individuals, couples, and families in the areas of anxiety, complex trauma, childhood emotional neglect, childhood sexual abuse, substance abuse/addiction, and relationships.

I have also worked as crisis counselor and intervention counselor (12 years) and an elementary school teacher (6 years) for the Hillsborough County School District.

Approaches:

• Internal Family Systems (IFS)/parts work
• Trauma Informed Therapy
• Attachment Theory
• Mindfullness Based Practices
• Mind-Body approaches
• Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner
• Perinatal Mental Health Certified (Postpartum Support International)
• Brainspotting
• EMDR

Reach Out Today

To find out more about what it would be like to work with me, or to see if we would be a good fit, please email destinfamilysolutions@gmail.com  or call/text (813) 720-5191

Associations

• AAMFT
• FMHCA
• ACA
• ASCA