Time to release the shoulds and create the life you want.
IFS therapy for highly sensitive adults ready to heal, grow, and reconnect with their true selves.
Doing the right thing always worked. Until it didn’t.
You checked the boxes: got the degree, built the career, said yes to the roles that made sense on paper. You’ve carved out a life that looks good from the outside.
But deep down, there’s a quiet knowing that something isn’t right. Maybe it’s the weight of “shoulds” getting too heavy, the exhaustion of trying to please everyone, or the endless pressure to perfect every part of your life.
You’re here because you want more: more peace, more clarity, more joy in living a life that feels like it’s truly yours.
You’re ready to let go of the rules that don’t fit, heal the parts of you that have been neglected, and reconnect with your authentic Self: the one who feels deeply and dreams boldly.
Welcome to the space where that journey begins.
ABOUT MEHi! I’m Mara.
I help highly sensitive adults look within and find their way back to their wise, centered, grounded Self. Using feelings as feedback, we hold space for intense emotions and explore painful wounds, maladaptive behaviors, and limiting beliefs inflicted by those wounds.
I don’t prescribe to tips and tricks looking to minimize or ignore our pain as I believe we can never be free from anything we desperately avoid. Instead, I strive to guide my clients to pay attention and listen to what the discomfort might be trying to tell us.
I take a holistic approach to healing, exploring trauma and emotions using Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, while also incorporating somatic elements to bridge the mind-body connection. My goal is for our time together to feel as an exhale, while guiding you to heal your relationship with yourself.
THE LIMINAL SPACE
A liminal space is the gap between ‘what was’ and ‘what's next’. It is a place of transition - a season of questions and reflection. Therapy can be the liminal space where you transform 'what was' into 'what's next'.
what was
Feeling stuck in the “should's”, trapped by what’s expected of you.
Constantly overthinking, second-guessing, and doubting yourself.
Struggling to set clear boundaries without guilt or shame.
Exhausted trying to make everyone else feel good.
Stuck in a failing cycle of self-improvement efforts.
Feeling lonely and disconnected; afraid of showing up as your true self.
what’s next
Living intentionally, in alignment with your values and authentic self.
Trusting your intuition and inner knowing as your compass.
Feeling energized by relationships that nourish rather than deplete you.
Embracing your sensitivity as a strength and source of insight.
Feeling truly seen and valued for who you are by those around you.
A sense of connection and belonging to yourself, your people, and the world.
OUR SERVICES
Our offerings include individual therapy, group work, and professional support to fellow therapist; all designed to create space for growth, reflection, and transformation. Explore the ways we can work together below.
IFS therapy sessions exploring your inner world in an intentional container, a reliable space for deep exploration and insight.
Uncover the patterns, beliefs, and wounds that have shaped your experience, helping you reconnect with your authentic Self and create a life that is fully aligned with who you are.
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
Healing takes on new depth when we step into spaces of collective wisdom and intentional exploration.
Our teachings and programs aim to foster connection, shared growth, and the profound healing that comes from being seen and understood in community.
CLASSES & PROGRAMS
We provide clinical supervision for social workers in DC and IFS and psychedelic integration consults for therapists seeking to deepen their expertise. We also enjoy business strategy conversations with professionals looking to build culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and impactful practices.
SUPERVISION & CONSULTATION
Our Why
At The Healing Exhale, we believe health and wellness are not a destination or a product, but an ongoing dialogue with the complexities of life.
In a world increasingly shaped by disconnection, commodification, and dogmatic certainties; we strive to create a space where healing feels grounded, relational, and human.
Our hope is to be a catalyst for transformation, walking alongside those we serve as they navigate uncertainty, reclaim their wholeness, and discover what it means to live with authenticity, belonging, and purpose.
WORKING TOGETHER
We do our best work with those whose needs, preferences, and perspectives align with our therapeutic style. Goodness of fit often determines how the therapy process unfolds; that’s why it’s important to make sure we are a great fit before we begin working together.
We might be a good fit if…
You’re a highly sensitive, empathetic human wanting to explore the power of that sensitivity.
You consider yourself a curious person with a thirst for insight and understanding.
You care about the people around you, the communities you are a part of, and our planet.
You are committed to your growth and can embrace some of the discomfort that comes with it.
You are eager to integrate some of the insights you gain in therapy sessions.
You prefer clear, direct communication and a personalized, engaging, hands-on approach.
We might not be a good fit if…
You’re looking for a quick and easy way out of your feelings.
You prefer cognitive approaches to therapy and aren’t interested in exploring your past, childhood, or upbringing.
You are looking for psychedelics. I offer preparation and integration only, I do not offer dosing sessions.
You need ongoing support from your therapist between sessions (regular emails, calls, etc).
You are in the midst of a crisis and need a higher level of care right now ( call 1-888-793-4357 if so).
You idolize Andrew Tate, fly the confederate flag, or were at the US Capitol wearing a maga hat on 1/6/21 : )
If, after reviewing the checklist above, you believe we’d be a good match, please contact us to schedule a free consultation.
