Coaching & Professional Overview

Greetings,

I am glad you are here! Choosing a qualified business coach is an important decision. As a support, I have outlined an at-a-glance overview of my professional experience:

• I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) and supervisor, a Certified Partners Trauma Therapist (CPTT) and supervisor, a Gottman Trained Therapist, an EMDR Level II Therapist, and the Founder of Growth Counseling Services, Inc. in Glendora, California.

• I am a CSAT, CPTT and MBATT Supervisor.

• I am on faculty with the esteemed International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP), and teach the the Module 1 CPTT training.

• I am on the ethics committee with IITAP.

• I am a Senior Faculty member with The Mindfulness Academy for Addiction and Trauma Training.

• I am the co-founder of The Shine Retreat for Women in Laguna Beach, CA.

• Beyond my current clinical practice, coaching practice, and academy, I have formerly owned and operated two profitable businesses, and have worked in corporate America managing fund raising for organizations across the U.S., as well as leading writing and graphic design teams. You can read more on this below.

• I am the co-author of, “Facing Heartbreak: Steps to Recovery for Partners of Sex Addicts”, the author of, “Healing from Betrayal”, and, “The Creative Clinician: Exercises and Activities for Clients and Group Therapy”.

• I am a national speaker, presenter and key note.

• I have created a successful line of e-books and products for therapists, as well as a number of “freebie” forms to support our clinical community.

  Given my passion and experience over several decades of business ownership, I am highly skilled in helping other counselors, coaches and small business owners grow their businesses. I bring focused support to guide you, with specific action steps that we outline together, and accountability check ins. You can learn what other therapists have to say about my support here.

  You are welcome to connect with me at mari@thecounselorscoach.com if you have any questions. And you are welcome to schedule a coaching, consulting, CSAT, CPTT or MBATT Supervision appointment via my calendar here.
  

  You can also learn more about my coaching and consulting services and journey below…

Mari's Journey - From Foster Care Kid to Successful Business Owner

Choosing a business coach is an important investment. While there are people who call themselves "coaches and consultants", unfortunately, some of these individuals have questionable experience, few qualifications, very little business acumen, and have not created multiple income streams.

As such, I would like to take a moment to share a snap shot of my professional journey with you below so that you can make an informed decision in working with me.

I offer this timeline for transparency sake. I believe that in order to be a successful coach, you must have experience in a variety of areas, including launching and managing successful and profitable businesses. The cornerstones of the work that I do are integrity, consistency, kindness, and expertise.

Relationship and trust building are the number one components in a successful coaching relationship. Perhaps this will give you a better idea of who I am by taking a look at my own professional journey.

Here is my at-a-glance professional story:

• I spent my early years in foster care, and dealt with many challenges including poverty.
  

• At 16 years old I ventured out into the world on my own with nothing more that a pillowcase of clothing, a suitcase of books and journals, and a large stuffed Kangaroo with $700 of babysitting money hidden inside. Within one year, and after working at three different jobs, I had saved enough money to move to Maui.
  

• At 18 years old I returned to Los Angeles, and attended a one year Cosmetology Program. The program was Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM, and I attended this program with no car, no Internet, no family support, and very little money. I attended school 8 hours during the day, and worked at a fast food restaurant from 6:00 PM until midnight each night. With hard work, early therapy and healing, resiliency and determination, prayer, the occasional kindness of others, and good old fashioned elbow grease - I put myself through this program with zero student loans or financial help.
  

• I went on to create my first profitable business by 20 years of age in the Cosmetology industry.
  

• After several years in business, desiring a change in career, I was offered a position managing a graphic design department for a top tier financial investment company at 25 years old. I was with this company, consistently growing and learning about finance and business until I was 31 years old.
  

• I purchased my first home when I was 29 years old after saving money for a decade. A home I have never once had to borrow on, and a home that I paid off and still own to this day.
  

• I created a fashion product at 30 which took the media by storm and allowed me to pay for my very first new car in cash, and launch a design business.
  

• I left corporate America at 31 to start my second successful business, Eden Design & Interiors which I owned and operated at a profit for almost a decade.
  

• At 38 I was offered a corporate position managing fund raising and multi million dollar budgets for rescue missions across the country, traveling extensively throughout the United States while managing a professional team.
  

• I returned to college at 40 to complete my undergraduate work, and then graduate studies, followed by clinical internships. I did this while working full time in design. I also paid for every class on my own dime with zero student loans. I did this by putting myself on a tight budget, and ate lots of oatmeal, sandwiches, and apples (side note: there is not a single thing wrong with student loans if that is how you funded your education).
  

• I attended a Domestic Violence Certification program and was awarded my certification at 43.
  

• I wrote my 200 page thesis by 44 which later became the foundation for a best selling book I co-authored.
  

• At 44 I was also accepted into the distinguished CSAT Certification Program with the International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals and trained directly under founder Dr. Patrick Carnes.
  

• I graduated with my Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at the top of my class at 45 years of age, and was asked to give the commencement speech for our graduating class at the prestigious Pasadena Civic Center in Southern California.
  

• At 45 I also received my Certification in Sex Addiction through IITAP.
  

• At 48, and after 3 years of intensive clinical internships, and passing two exams the first time, I received my License to practice Marriage and Family Therapy in the State of California.
  

• At 48 I founded Growth Counseling Services, Inc. a fee for service private practice center in Glendora, California and consistently have an average of an 8 week wait list for counseling sessions.
  

• At 49 I received my first major speaking and presenting opportunity for $5,000. 4 months later, my second $5,000 speaking opportunity was offered. Both organizations shared that the feedback on my presentation was the best they had ever received.
  

• Also at 49, I co-authored a popular book for partners of sex addicts, “Facing Heartbreak: Steps to Recovery for Partners of Sex Addicts” with excellent reviews on Amazon.
  

• At 50 I wrote, “The Creative Clinician: Exercises and Activities for Clients and Group Therapy” with excellent reviews.
  

• At 50 I started my coaching business working with therapists all over the world with excellent reviews from the clinicians I have supported. My coaching colleagues live all over the United States, as well as Canada, Australia, Egypt, the United Kingdom, Singapore and South Africa. Though time zones can be a challenge, we always figure it out!
  

• At 51 I was certified through the prestigious International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals as a CSAT supervisor. And I have provided consulting for therapists across the U.S., as well as clients in Great Britain, Canada, Australia and South Africa.
  

• At 52 I became a Certified Telehealth Therapist through Zur University. I have exclusively and successfully provided Telehealth therapy only since 2016 long before COVID. During the spring of 2020, at the start of COVID-19, I was asked by several organizations to provide a series of Telehealth training webinars to over 300 therapists worldwide.
  

• At 53 I trademarked my brand, "The Resiliency Rebel" and am now writing my 3rd book on creating abundance and over coming great odds through resiliency and healing, called "The Gift in the Wound" out in 2022.
  

• At 54 I wrote, “Healing Betrayal” as a support for clients healing from betrayal trauma. And, I was certified as a CPTT Therapist (Certified Partners Trauma Therapist).
  

• At 55 I accepted a faculty position with The International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals teaching the Level 1 CPTT Certification Training (Certified Partners Trauma Therapist).
  

• Additionally at 55, I received my certification and a Mindfulness Based Addiction and Trauma Therapist.
  

• At 56 I received training as a Gottman’s Couple’s Therapist.
  

• Additionally at 56, I went through both levels of EMDR training.
  

• At 57 I was asked to be a Senior Faculty member and Consulting Supervisor for the respected Mindfulness Academy for Addiction and Trauma Training.
  

• I have been consistently asked to write, speak, present, teach, support and facilitate workshops from such organizations as: The International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals, The California Association of Marriage & Family Therapists, The Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health, The Shine Retreat for Women, The Mindfulness Academy of Addiction & Trauma Training, ADP, and many other businesses and organizations.

As you have learned, I have over 35 years business experience, have authored books, founded companies, created multiple income streams, booked paid speaking, and greatly enjoy helping other colleagues reach their professional dreams.  

If you are ready to roll up your sleeves to start taking steps in working toward your goals, vs. simply thinking or talking about them, then I am the coach for you.

My approach is to get boxes checked off, to provide you with guided support and accountability, and to creatively assist you in realizing your professional achievements.

If you are ready, you may schedule an appointment here: