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I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who specializes in working with adolescents, teens, and young people navigating emotional, behavioral, and relational challenges. Many of the teens and families I support are dealing with anxiety, depression, anger outbursts, defiance, low self-esteem, school stress, peer conflict, family tension, and difficulty managing big emotions. Parents often come to me feeling overwhelmed, unsure how to help, or concerned about changes in behavior, mood, or communication at home.

I believe healing begins with feeling truly seen, heard, and understood. I provide a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where young people can safely express themselves, build trust, strengthen emotional regulation, and develop a stronger sense of identity and self-worth. My work also focuses on helping families improve communication, reduce conflict, rebuild connection, and create more stable, supportive relationships at home. My goal is to help teens feel more confident and families feel more connected.

Sometimes life feels heavier than it looks on the outside. You may be carrying anxiety that never seems to quiet down, grieving someone you love, trying to hold a relationship together, or simply wondering why you don't feel like yourself anymore. Whatever brought you here, you don't have to pretend you're okay with me. My hope is that therapy becomes a place where you can finally exhale, make sense of what you're experiencing, and begin finding steady ground again.

Life can feel overwhelming—and you don’t have to navigate it alone. I’m an LICSW who creates a judgment-free space where you can show up as you are. Together, we focus on your strengths, your goals, and real tools to support growth and healing.

Welcome!

Seeking therapy takes a leap of courage to dare imagine that you are deserving of a more fulfilling life. Whether you are dealing with the grief associated with life transitions or working through persistent anxiety & depression, I provide a compassionate, warm, and judgment free space where you feel genuinely heard and validated and we can work together toward meaningful change.

Starting therapy can feel like a big step, especially if you've been carrying anxiety, grief, relationship challenges, stress, or the effects of trauma on your own. You may be feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or unsure where to begin, and that's okay. I'm Ann Marie Nowak, a Licensed Professional Counselor with over six years of experience helping adults navigate life's most difficult moments with compassion, understanding, and practical support. I entered the field of Counseling later in life, returning to school at age 50. I have learned about life through the many experiences and challenges that came my way.

My background has allowed me to work with individuals facing a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship concerns, stress management, and end of life issues. I believe every person's story is unique, and I'm committed to meeting you where you are while honoring your strengths and experiences. I am able to work with mature clients, since I can well relate to the experiences and challenges that come about in our later years.

I’m a warm, supportive, and empowering therapist who believes you are the expert on your own life. I’ve been practicing counseling for four years and also facilitate IOP groups, giving me experience working with a variety of concerns and life experiences. I use humor when it fits, and I’m not afraid to challenge you when the moment calls for it. Most importantly, I want you to feel comfortable being your authentic self in therapy.

I am a family-oriented individual who understands the importance of balanced living, self-care, and healthy relationships. My formal education as a master's-level social worker, personal trials and errors, and 20-plus years of work experience with youth, individuals, and families have taught me that we are all unique human beings with our own life experiences with a shared desire for happiness. The difference in levels of individual and family satisfaction is often attributed to intentional effort to establish and maintain healthy relationships, mindsets, and perspectives. The goal of my practice is to empower hope, healing, & healthy relationships!

Clients should know that I am deeply committed to creating a space where honesty, healing and emotional safety can exist without judgment. I understand that coming to therapy often requires courage, especially when life feels overwhelming, complicated, or uncertain. My approach is grounded in respect, authenticity, and clinical integrity. I value the therapeutic relationship and believe that meaningful change happens when clients feel seen, heard, and understood - not rushed, dismissed, or judged.

I bring both professional expertise and real-world understanding into my work. Due to having worked in a forensic psychiatric setting for over 16 years, I have experience working with complex emotional, behavioral, and trauma-related challenges. I approach each client with the belief that behavior is often a response to pain, and healing begins when we understand the story behind the behavior.

Clients should also know that I am direct, compassionate, and intentional in my work. I will support you, but I will also gently challenge patterns that may be keeping you stuck. My goal is not just to help you cope, but to help you grow, heal, and move toward a more grounded and peaceful version of yourself. I deeply respect each client’s pace and process. You are not expected to have everything figured out when you arrive. Therapy is a space for exploration, reflection, and growth.

Above all, I believe that healing is possible, change is achievable, and no one is too far gone to begin again.