Mariah Howard, AMFT

510.877.0710

mariah@holosinstitute.net

It happens to all of us at some point – we get stuck. In our relationships, for example, or in our work, in difficult memories or fears, or in a crisis we don’t know how to get out of alone.

My belief is that those stuck feelings can be a gift – a way that the circumstances of our lives invite us to look inward at ourselves. These difficult moments can signal that we’re ready to let go of old stories and write a new, more fulfilling chapter in our lives.

One of the best ways for people to get unstuck is with therapy. As a therapist, the essence of my work is to really listen to you, in a safe and compassionate way, a way that, perhaps, no one else in your life does. As we work together, we both develop a deeper understanding of how and why you’re feeling stuck. We find new ways of looking at who you are and who you want to become. You can start to feel lighter, less alone, and, over time, ready to take on life in a new way. It can happen.

I believe that, for many, finding a new way of expressing themselves can be a powerful way to get unstuck. That’s why I trained as an Expressive Arts Therapist, who uses creativity with clients who are open to it. We make art, write, and find new ways of expressing a part of ourselves that we can’t get to with talking alone. You don’t have to call yourself an “artist” in order to make art in a process that reveals your inner wisdom and strength.

In addition to my art and art therapy background, I’ve also done work in Religious Studies and have a spiritual practice of my own. With that grounding, I can work with you to develop your own personal rituals and practices. These practices can be a strong support as you learn to more fully honor yourself, where you come from, and the person you are becoming.

All the processes we’ll use are anchored in my professional training. I’m a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist with an MA in Holistic Counseling Psychology from John F. Kennedy University. I also hold a BA in Religious Studies from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, where I’m from. Before becoming a therapist, I ran my own consulting business, bringing creative visual note-taking to community groups, NGOs, and corporations. For over fifteen years, I’ve lived in the East Bay, where my husband and I raise our family.

I look forward to hearing from you and finding out how I can help. mariahhowardtherapy.com/