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, we aim 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. My aim is to give you a sense of how I work to help you determine if we are a good fit. 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 facing 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. 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. 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. My Approach I take an integrative approach to therapy, tailoring my style to fit your unique needs. Some people prefer a client-centered approach, where you take the lead while I provide active listening, support, and gentle guidance to help you uncover your own insights and solutions. Others benefit from a more directive approach, in which I take a more active role—offering structure, introducing specific techniques, suggesting coping strategies, and sometimes providing exercises to work on between sessions. Regardless of the approach, my goal is to help you stay present, build self-awareness, and create meaningful change. By blending these styles as needed, we can find a balanced path that supports your personal growth and healing. About Me I made the change to become a therapist in my mid-50's after a career in engineering and the financial markets. This shift was driven by my desire for a more people-oriented and purpose-driven profession. Having personally benefitted from therapy throughout my life, I deeply believe in its ability to help people create positive change in their lives. As your therapist, I see my role as helping you tap into the strength and insight that already resides in you so you can become the person you want 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 at 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 University and Johns Hopkins University. Some Basics I consider the first session an opportunity for us to see if we're a good fit before you commit to ongoing therapy and I therefore do not charge for the first session. Going forward, my standard fee is $125 for a 50-minute session, but I offer a sliding scale for those requiring it. Please note that I do not accept insurance at this time. However, 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. I am not accepting new clients at this time but will update my website when I have availability.