John Marchelya Counseling & Psychotherapy, LLC

A therapist offers more than just a listening ear – we are trained to understand mental health issues, emotional patterns, and behavioral dynamics. Using a range of techniques, we help you gain insight, develop coping strategies, and make meaningful change. Although friends may be supportive and well-intentioned, a therapist provides a neutral, non-judgmental space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings without fear of criticism or unsolicited advice. Therapy also ensures privacy and legally protected confidentiality, giving you a secure setting to work through personal challenges with confidence. Beyond listening, a therapist aims to guide you in self-reflection, help uncover underlying issues, and support you in building new skills and make lasting changes. How does therapy work? In our first session, we’ll discuss your concerns, background, and what you hope to get out of therapy. Regular sessions provide time for reflection, emotional expression, and learning new ways to navigate challenges. It is important to remember that therapy can bring up difficult emotions, but addressing them is an essential part of healing. Progress isn’t always linear – some sessions may feel more productive than others, and this is completely normal. Over time, we’ll evaluate what is working and adjust as needed. The length of therapy varies based on individual needs and the complexity of concerns. Some people benefit from short-term therapy (a few months), while others engage in longer-term work for deeper personal development. Ultimately, therapy is a collaborative effort — it works best when you actively engage, apply what you learn, and maintain open communication. Therapy isn’t meant to last forever. When you’ve reached a point where you feel ready, we’ll discuss wrapping up. Final sessions focus on reviewing progress, reinforcing skills, and preparing you to move forward with confidence. Some clients choose to continue with occasional check-ins as needed, and you are always welcome back. My Approach I work with adults of all ages on the challenges that come with adulthood, including anxiety and stress, major decisions, career and life transitions, loss, and the strong and varied emotions that come with life's ups and downs. Many of us carry patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that once served us but have become limiting over time. In our work together, you’ll come to recognize these patterns more clearly and begin to shift them, relating to yourself, your loved ones, and the world in a more intentional, flexible, and fulfilling way. I take an integrative approach to therapy, adapting to what you need, which may change as our work unfolds. Some people prefer to take the lead, while I provide careful listening, support, and gentle guidance to help you uncover your own insights and solutions. Others benefit from more structure, where I take an active role in shaping the direction of our sessions, introducing specific techniques and coping strategies, and sometimes suggesting exercises to try between sessions. Often it’s a mix of both. Whatever the balance, the aim is the same: that you feel genuinely understood, come to know yourself more deeply, and turn that self-knowledge into meaningful, lasting change. About Me I became a therapist in my early 50s after a career in engineering and the financial markets, drawn by a desire for work that is more people-oriented and purpose-driven. That background gives me a real-world perspective on the pressures, transitions, and choices my clients face. Having personally benefited from therapy throughout my life, I deeply believe in its power to help people create meaningful change. I see my role as helping you tap into the strength and insight that already reside in you, so you can become the person you aspire to be. I am affiliated with the Anxiety and Stress Disorders Institute of Maryland where I continue to receive training and supervision. In the past, I have trained at the Family Institute of Virginia, and the Washington-Baltimore Center for Psychoanalysis. I hold a MS in Clinical and Professional Counseling from Loyola University Maryland along with advanced degrees in engineering from Stanford and Johns Hopkins University. Some Basics I like to begin with an introductory phone call (typically about 20 minutes) to see whether working together feels like a good fit. During this time, we'll talk about what you are looking for, any past experiences with therapy, scheduling, and other practical details. There is no cost for this call, and if we choose to move forward, my fee is $145 for a standard 50-minute session. Please note that I do not accept insurance. If you have out-of-network benefits, I can provide a monthly invoice (superbill) for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. If you plan to use this option, please check with your provider beforehand to understand your out-of-network coverage.