Mariel Farhi

What does it mean to truly know yourself? To me, therapy isn’t about fitting into a neat, pre-packaged box; it’s about discovering who you are when the old scripts no longer work. For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by the human mind and heart. My path to becoming a therapist stems from a deep curiosity about what drives our choices, what makes relationships thrive, and how we navigate life’s most challenging seasons. In our sessions, I balance an analytical, perceptive mind with a naturally warm and empathetic presence, creating a space where you can safely unpack your heaviest burdens without fear of judgment. My Therapeutic Approach I view mental health through an integrative and holistic lens. Your well-being is deeply connected to your history, your environment, and your physical body. I customize our work together by blending: Psychodynamic & Narrative Therapies: To help you uncover deep-rooted patterns from childhood, understand how they impact your present, and safely rewrite your own story. Existential & Humanistic Frameworks: To support you in finding authentic meaning and direction, even when circumstances feel painful or limiting. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): To increase your psychological flexibility, align your daily choices with your core values, and build sustainable coping skills. Somatic-Informed Systems & Wellness: Looking at the “whole self,” including the vital roles that sleep, nutrition, mindfulness, and movement play in regulating your nervous system. My Areas of Specialization I work with individuals ages 16 to 69+, helping clients navigate profound identity shifts and systemic stress. My primary clinical areas include: Midlife Identity & Transitions (Ages 30–60): Helping adults unpack the question, “Who am I outside of my career, my spouse, or my role as a parent?” I provide specialized support for the “sandwich generation” balancing parenting, aging parents, career changes, empty nesting, and perimenopause. Complex Relational Dynamics: Supporting individuals navigating polyamory, intercultural relationships, discord between their family of origin and family of creation, or differing grief responses within a family unit. Federal Employees: Helping government and federal workers process workplace burnout, systemic economic uncertainty, and professional moral injury. LGBTQ+ Affirming Care: Providing an empowering, safe space for queer youth and adults to explore their identities and build resilience. My Identity & Lived Experience I am Jewish and grew up in a large, multicultural, and multi-religious blended family. Having experienced firsthand what it is like to navigate a household full of different perspectives and traditions, I hold a natural affinity for clients in intercultural partnerships, blended families, and anyone who feels like their unique lived experience makes them “hard to categorize” by mainstream standards. Outside the Office When I’m not in the therapy room, you can find me hiking local Maryland trails, practicing yoga, or out on my endless search for the perfect local coffee shop. I am an avid movie lover and a competitive pinball player (yes, I play in a local league!). I also love spending quality time with my wonderful partner and our two beloved cats, Handsome and Lady.