Today we’d like to introduce you to Marina Blake.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Marina. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
After wandering through career purgatory for ten years, I decided to earn change careers. I earned a Master of Arts degree in Community Counseling (Marriage and Family Therapy) from the University of Northern Colorado in 2005 and have been practicing therapy since. After one particularly challenging couple, I sought out more training in couples therapy and have since become a Certified Gottman Therapist. In the couples counseling field, Gottman therapy is considered the gold standard for couples therapy. I now have a busy part-time private practice in Denver and love working with both couples and adult individuals.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Does anyone ever have a smooth road? I doubt that’s actually a thing. My advice to young women is to keep your goals in mind and pursue it as if your life depending on it. Because your future life does, in fact, depend on your success in achieving your goals. When I decided to change careers, I didn’t worry about my age. I was unhappy and took action to change that. Sometimes I hear people say things like, “I can’t go back to school at 40. I’ll be 44 by the time I’m done.” And my response is, “You’re going to be 44 anyway. You can be 44 and still stuck in your current miserable situation, or you can be 44 in a new field.”
We’d love to hear more about Marina Blake Counseling.
I am a therapist in private practice in the Denver area, and I specialize in Gottman couples therapy. I am very proud to be a Certified Gottman Therapist – the process was arduous, for sure. It took four years and travel to three different states for training. And I’m now in a place of excitement and contentment about my career. When I graduated with a Bachelors degree in English in 1992, I never thought I’d be where I am today. I’m very grateful for the opportunities I’ve had and the people who have helped me get here.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
Having good social skills helps! Seriously, practicing social skills with new people is critical. Being able to talk about yourself in a positive way without sounding like a braggart is a very useful skill. For finding a mentor, look for someone who you admire and want to emulate, then directly ask them for help. Being direct might be uncomfortable, but it sure saves a lot of time.
Pricing:
- Individual therapy, per 50 minute hour: $180
- Couples therapy: 105 minutes: $360
- Couples therapy, 80 minutes: $270
Contact Info:
- Address: 750 E. 9th Avenue
Suite 202
Denver CO 80203 - Website: www.marinablakecounseling.com
- Phone: 720-509-9180
- Email: marina@marinablakecounseling.com
Image Credit:
Erica Hanlon
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