Marv Howell-Arza, MSSA, LISW
she/her
My name is Mariví, but you can call me Marv, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to partner with you on your journey to self-discovery! Officially, I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker/Clinical Therapist. Unofficially, I am a partner, a daughter/sister/aunt/niece, a friend, a cat mom (if we work together virtually, Juju & Sock might have some insight to provide), a karaoke queen, and a person still figuring life out one day at a time. My Cuban heritage, BA in Arabic Language, and love for travel & learning about other cultures inspires me to continue trying new activities in my own life as well as approach my clients in a culturally & spiritually humble way that prioritizes social justice. I’m a sucker for leopard print, a scented candle, and a trashy reality tv show. Overall, I have been described by clients, co-workers, and friends as a “golden retriever”—I bring positivity and humor, ready at any moment to "sit" beside you and hold space for your feelings.
On a more “therapist-y” note…
It often feels impossible to be a human in the world today. If you feel like your body will never be "good" enough or “healthy” enough & you've been led to believe "fixing" it is a matter of "will-power," you're not alone. If your life feels like a cycle of crisis, distress, and finding yourself in a deeper hole than the one you were in the day before, you're not alone. If you identify with one or both of the previous sentences, we will have plenty to talk about. My ample training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Eye-Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) create an anti-oppressive space to process the past, cope with the present, and embrace your true potential in the future. With a Health at Every Size (HAES), harm-reduction, trauma-informed lens of care, we will work together as partners to prioritize your goals—balancing acceptance of where you are now with a push for the change you desire. If you’re tired of feeling tired, I’m ready to support you through your journey to healing. All you have to do is reach out.