Lighthouse Therapy
Group
About
Mari Cruz LMHC
I always strive to create a safe and empowering environment for my clients where they can be themselves without fear of judgment. Every person is going to have unique needs when it comes to therapy and I pride myself in meeting my clients where they’re at. Whether you need extra support during a difficult time in your life, you’re seeking coping skills to better handle tough situations as they arise, or you’re wanting someone to hold space for you as you process past traumas, I am here for you. My clients are curious, motivated, and ready to become the best versions of themselves.
A little about myself. I was born and raised in Florida, having lived all over the state in Miami, Jacksonville, and Tampa. I’ve always been in a helping field: I started my career as a middle school Reading teacher, then became a child advocate, and finally a therapist who specializes in trauma. In my free time, I love to read, go to concerts and music festivals, be at the beach or the pool, and spend time with family and friends. To decompress, I enjoy doing relaxing hobbies like crossword puzzles or fiber arts like crochet and cross-stitching. The brightest part of any day for me is when I get to spend quality time with my cat Charlie and my dog Lucy! I was always told growing up that I was surprisingly calm under pressure and I’ve taken that skill into my therapy practice. No matter what has happened to you or what is going on presently, I will be there to face it head on with you with a calming breath and an open mind.
Experience
I am a licensed mental health counselor
I am fully licensed in FL & TX.
I have experience working in a variety of therapy settings including community mental health and private practice. I have worked with clients as young as 3 and as old as 81. Working with such diverse populations has helped me understand how to individualize support in counseling sessions and how similar we all really are at our core. Across all ages, ethnicities, diagnoses, and all presenting symptoms I’ve found this to be true: we all want to feel heard, feel seen, and feel respected. As your therapist, I will always make that my top priority when working together.
Education:
I attended The University of South Florida for undergrad and received my Bachelor of Arts in Communication. I then received my Master of Science in Counseling and Psychology from Troy University.
My Approach:
My therapy approach is eclectic and tailored to what my clients need when they come to see me. Some clients prefer very structured sessions where they can know what to expect week-to-week, while others like the freedom of choosing how a session will look based on what is happening in their lives that week. I am happy to work together to find the rhythm and cadence of sessions that fit best for you. I predominantly work with adults who are looking to process and overcome trauma they experienced as children. While I use many different modalities on a daily basis, I specialize in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). I often work with clients who have multiple diagnoses and complex trauma.
I incorporate mindfulness techniques and somatic experiencing (building a mind-body connection) to help my clients relieve intense anxiety and panic symptoms. I also utilize a strength-based approach, where we identify and use your personal strengths to help meet your therapeutic goals while we continue to strengthen those skills together. During sessions with me, you can expect to laugh (laughter is medicine!), sometimes cry (it’s cathartic, I promise!), and learn a little more about yourself each time we meet.
License #'s:
Florida: MH25425
Texas: 99675
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