Mary@therapytoronto.ca
Woodbridge/Vaughan
and
York Mills

647-723-5274
ext 229

Mary Marano BA, CYW, RIHR

Envision a life without being filled with anger, depression, loneliness and confusion. These feelings often leave people feeling emotionally paralyzed, unable to cope or move forward in their lives. We all have these feelings, to one degree or another in our life, often born from crisis. “The Dark Night of the Soul” refers to a state of being that is so emotionally draining that one’s day is consumed with dark thoughts of a dark future. In this state, there is no clarity, no joy, only pain and confusion. Sooner or later we seek relief because we realize that the pain is too hard to bear and this can be the beginning of our journey and a spiritual metamorphosis.

It is important to note that although we may not be in this dark emotional state, we all know when our life is not working and that when these emotions are gnawing at us we can no longer cope effectively.

You may see yourself in these questions: Why am I so angry? Why are my children angry, defiant, demanding and never satisfied? Who is this person I married, who does not understand me or our children and chooses to avoid our lives? Why are my relationships floundering? Why am I so angry at everyone, especially my mother? Where is the love of my life? Why do I feel so anxious? Why does everything feel so wrong? How do I stop feeling depressed, angry and confused? And finally, I don’t want to feel like this anymore!

When our lives are not working we often turn to anger first which makes us feel powerful and in control. However, “For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness” (Ralph Waldo Emerson).

Anger can be a serious health threat and detrimental to our well-being. Along with anger, we may experience anxiety, depression and other emotional problems that can destroy our relationships. You may go to the doctor to get help; however, even GP’s have few options for helping individuals with their emotional problems. Emotional problems like anger, depression, stress, anxiety, fear and grief are causes for long-term sickness. Eighty-four percent of individuals strongly agree that people should seek out professional help if they have emotional problems.

I hope after reading this message you will be inspired to look at therapy in way that is reassuring and know that you are making a good choice.  What I can do for you right now is share my experience with you and help individuals understand the benefits of therapy.

Imagine, I was established in my career, raising a young family, running a successful business and then my husband had a heart attack. This was the start of my own journey. It was not just about my husband having a heart attack, although this alone could send someone’s life spiralling. Through this experience, I realized that everything else in my life was not really working and that this crisis demonstrated how fragile other parts of my life really were. I became angry, resentful, confused and frightened. I needed help. In therapy, I began to see that my life falling apart was an opportunity for me to learn about myself, my relationships and why I was attracting so much drama in my life. I was able to explore my childhood wounds, patterns of behaviour and my present-day relationships in way that was safe and life-changing. For me, therapy is not only a way to find clarity and perspective, but a way to enhance relationships.

Relationships and family are the most important aspects of life. It is where we exert all of our physical, emotional and spiritual energy. I have been working with families, couples and teens for over 15 years and for the last seven years fostered teenage girls in my home. I have worked in Residential Treatment, within the Elementary and High School System, Social Services and have since been in Private Practice. I specialize in relationships, parenting, teen and family issues, anger management, personal and spiritual growth, couples work, grief and loss. I am able to assist children and youth with ADD and their families, providing the tools and understanding that lead to success. I support individuals so they can have long-lasting enjoyable relationships and provide extra guidance through difficult situations.

I will offer you the tools to 'live the life you were meant to live' with clarity, knowing how to:

• manage your anger
• build self-esteem
• establish healthy boundaries
• learn to say “no”
• get your needs met (and be guilt-free)
• healthy conflict resolution
• find love

Sessions are client-centred, down to earth, non-judgemental and at times, challenging. I provide a safe and comfortable environment where we work together because “nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending” (Maria Robinson). This work is a celebration of life and relationships and an opportunity to heal, live, transform.

As a psychotherapist, I am a member of the OACCPP and registered with Canadian Examining Board of Health Care Practitioners. I continue to keep abreast with reading and training in the areas relevant to my specialties. I work in Woodbridge, Vaughan just North of the GTA and in Toronto at Trinity Health Clinic, just below the 401.

Please do not hesitate to contact me through phone or e-mail for your free consultation. It would be my honour to walk with you on your journey.

Feel free to contact me for a free consultation on your needs. My Vaughan office is here and my north Toronto office (in the 401/Don Mills area) is here.