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5 therapists available in Philadelphia
As a neurodivergent queer person, I approach therapy as a collaborative process rooted in curiosity, meaning-making, and respectin...
About
As a neurodivergent queer person, I approach therapy as a collaborative process rooted in curiosity, meaning-making, and respecting lived experience.
I am a licensed social worker (LSW) with 5 years of experience supporting adolescents and adults navigating anxiety, depression, identity concerns, self-esteem challenges, and feelings of overwhelm or disconnection. My practice is rooted in curiosity and collaboration, and I strive to create a grounded, respectful space for clients of diverse backgrounds, including those who identify as queer, trans, neurodivergent, ethically non-monogamous, or kink-positive.
I earned my master's degree in social work from Temple University. My approach blends reflective exploration with practical strategies, helping clients examine internalized beliefs, better understand their experiences, and build skills that support meaningful, lasting change.
Reaching out for support can feel vulnerable, especially when you’re already carrying a lot. I aim to provide a compassionate and thoughtful space where you feel heard and respected. If you’re ready to move toward greater clarity and self-trust, I welcome you to schedule a session to see if we’re a good fit.
Education and training
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Becoming your authentic self is a transforming and long journey, and I’m here to walk alongside you, offering tools and encouragem...
Becoming your authentic self is a transforming and long journey, and I’m here to walk alongside you, offering tools and encouragement along the way.
I am a master’s-level associate licensed counselor trained in CBT at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. I integrate feminist theory, ACT, IFS, narrative, and mindfulness-based approaches in my work. My ideal clients are individuals seeking a safe, affirming space to explore their identities and the parts of life that may feel difficult or taboo to discuss. I work with clients navigating their concerns, anxiety, relational patterns, and values with collaboration, transparency, and active client participation in treatment.
I offer a safe, affirming space grounded in feminist, sex-positive, and trauma-informed care. Using a collaborative and integrative approach, I help clients explore intimacy, relationships, and identity while building insight, emotional resilience, and meaningful, lasting growth.
I understand that reaching out for support can feel vulnerable and takes courage. I offer a warm, nonjudgmental space where clients can feel heard and supported as they take this next step. I welcome you to connect when you’re ready and I'll respond thoughtfully within professional boundaries.
Jacquelyn Farasat is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She holds National Counselor Certification and is also a Certified Clinic...
Jacquelyn Farasat is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She holds National Counselor Certification and is also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. She has 8 years of experience supporting the emotional, social, and personal growth and well-being of children, adolescents, and adults in both individual and group formats.
Jacquelyn has a Master’s degree in Counseling and a Master’s degree in Education. She strives to develop a caring relationship with the client that is built on trust, respect, and collaboration. Jacquelyn integrates mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing with a strengths-based, person-centered approach to support the client in becoming his/her best self. When working with children and families, she often uses play therapy to foster relational skills, develop emotional awareness and self-regulation skills, and promote positive problem-solving.
Jacquelyn recognizes that each client has a unique set of strengths, desires, and needs. Thus, she continually maintains flexibility and tailors strategies in response to the client’s needs and personal goals. Her goal is to encourage and empower you throughout your journey to becoming.
As a black male therapist, I’m passionate about breaking the stigmas around therapy, especially for men, and creating a space wher...
As a black male therapist, I’m passionate about breaking the stigmas around therapy, especially for men, and creating a space where healing feels safe, relatable, and real.
Clifton “Cliff” Ventour is a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor with 3 years of experience supporting individuals through life’s emotional challenges. Coming from an urban community where therapy is often stigmatized, Cliff is passionate about changing that narrative. He helps clients process anger, manage anxiety and depression, and build healthier coping strategies to feel more in control of their emotional well-being.
Cliff earned his Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Temple University and integrates empathy, emotional regulation, and client-centered techniques into his approach. He supports individuals in processing difficult emotions and encourages growth through validation, trust, and building meaningful therapeutic connections.
Cliff understands healing takes time. He creates a safe, affirming space where clients can move at their own pace. With warmth and patience, he meets individuals where they are and walks alongside them as they navigate challenges, embrace their journey, and move closer to their goals.
Mark is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who works out of an office in Philadelphia, and holds licenses in both Pennsylvania an...
Mark is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who works out of an office in Philadelphia, and holds licenses in both Pennsylvania and California. He has 20 years of experience helping children, adults, and families work through challenges that impact their health and happiness. He spent much of his career working at a nonprofit agency that continues to serve trauma impacted children and families in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was through this work that Mark grew to understand both the grave impact of trauma and the healing power of psychotherapy. Mark works from a variety of therapies to best match an individual's needs. Some of these include cognitive behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, and gestalt therapy. He also has subspecialties in parent training, behavioral intervention instruction, and play therapies. Regardless of the therapeutic orientation, he believes enriching an individual’s personal story is the key to change. When people can author strength based personal narratives, they are able to find the strength to overcome their doubts, fears, and worry. Mark believes every person carries within them the power to change and heal. He seeks to help individuals access this power through a safe, comforting, and expressive experience.
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Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Brian: My go-to approach for helping people in individual therapy is to find out what's going well for them — where are they thriving, when and where are they absolutely crushing it? Then, I like to help them figure out what's going on there — where are they, who are they around, what else is happening — so we can look to bring some of those supports into areas where they are struggling.
MaryAlyce: My first priority is to establish an understanding of REBT (the form of CBT that I use). I also focus on stress management, problem-solving, and balance. I specialize in treating anxiety, anger, depression, grief, and trauma. I also lean toward working with women, teens, and children, and use art, play, games, and puzzle therapy formats. I use what will work best for the client's needs, so I am more eclectic in my approach in general.
Mark: I use multiple approaches to help people in individual therapy based on their presenting needs. Some of these approaches involve interventions from modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy and other behavioral therapies, narrative therapy, Gestalt therapy, and more. When working with children, I use additional interventions from modalities such as attachment-based therapy, play therapy, art therapy, and others.
Brian: I utilize the following tools in individual therapy:
MaryAlyce: I teach the following tools in therapy: The ABCs of REBT, the expectation box, problem-solving steps, relaxation and meditation skill behaviors, stress management themes, and whatever is needed for specific problems (such as a grief workbook to help someone through grief, or art therapy projects to get at where someone's anxiety may be coming from).
Mark: I teach the following tools in individual therapy:
Brian: I know a client is making meaningful progress in individual therapy when they are able to demonstrate progress toward goals in treatment.
MaryAlyce: I know a client is making progress when they feel better; they are more rational in how they look at situations, other people, and themselves; and they self-report a reduction in whatever caused them to come to therapy.
Mark: I know when a client is making meaningful progress in individual therapy when they are drawing toward completing objectives, when they report relief of symptoms, when they take greater emotional risks in session, and when they express feeling more comfortable with their sense of self.
Brian: Clients can supplement their time in individual therapy with reading, building up their community supports, listening to podcasts (ask me for recommendations, I'm happy to help!), and engaging in positive, rewarding self-care.
MaryAlyce: Clients can supplement their time in therapy by doing homework that I assign them, or by completing projects I encourage them to consider, as I try to have therapy impact their lives when they are not just in therapy sessions.
Mark: Clients can supplement their time in individual therapy with other wellness activities such as engaging in exercise, positive social communities, interests/passions, helping others, and self-care.
Brian: To prepare for your first individual therapy session, you can (and should!) check out the different types of therapy that are available. There are a lot of them — it would be beneficial for you to find one that speaks to you, and then find a provider whose approach aligns with your preferred mode.
MaryAlyce: I encourage all intakes to prepare for starting therapy by bringing note paper and a pencil/pen and to prepare to learn the ABCs of REBT and the connection of expectations with irrational beliefs. Also, have paper and markers or something ready for art therapy exercises that I use to supplement their learning experience in healthier ways of looking at things.
Mark: To prepare for your first individual therapy session, you can read and complete your consent for treatment, have your calendar/schedule prepared in order to schedule future sessions, review your insurance benefits to avoid any surprise patient costs, and relax (your therapist is trained to make you feel safe and will present from an orientation of non-judgment).
Individual therapy, also known as Individual therapy, allows people to engage in private sessions with a skilled therapist, counselor, or psychologist. The core objective of individual therapy is to establish a secure and confidential setting where you can openly discuss whatever emotional, psychological, or behavioral challenges you face. Through these one-on-one sessions, the client and therapist work together to delve into, comprehend, and ultimately find solutions for the issues at hand in their life.
Individual therapy unfolds in a structured process, commencing with an initial assessment in which the therapist gathers essential information about your history, concerns, and objectives. Together, you and your therapist collaboratively establish specific, attainable goals for your sessions, which can encompass symptom alleviation, personal development, or finding solutions to particular challenges.
Yes, individual therapy, also known as Individual therapy, at Thriveworks can help you to improve your mental health and overall quality of life.
Individual therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and via Online therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
The duration of your individual therapy sessions will vary. The decision on the number and frequency of sessions is typically collaboratively determined by the client and therapist.
At Thriveworks, we accept most major insurance plans, allowing many clients to pay as little as $0–$50 per session with their co-pay. We also offer self-pay options for those out-of-network or without insurance. Self-pay rates for talk therapy range from $160 to $240 for intake sessions and $135 to $195 for follow-ups, depending on your state. For psychiatry services, self-pay intake sessions are $255–$375, with follow-ups ranging from $175–$300, also varying by state. More information on current self-pay costs is available on our pricing page.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
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