Margaret Iapalucci

I was born in Russia and an American family adopted me when I was two-and-a-half years old. I grew up in Washington D.C with four older sisters, who were also all adopted from outside the US. Growing up in a big and diverse family taught me a lot about patience, empathy, open-mindedness, resilience, culture, sympathy, and the meaning of being loved. During the two years I spent in an orphanage in Russia, I was informed I always played the doctor and I was always the last to eat to ensure everyone got food before I ate. From a very young age I was passionate about helping others with a huge smile on my face. When I moved to the States, I thought I wanted to be a veterinarian due to my love for animals and the unique connection that can come from bonding with them. However, as I grew up, I felt that neither career would be the exact right path for me. From my first psychology in high school, I knew that it was the career meant for me. My love for helping others has made me passionate about my career path becoming a psychologist.

I completed my B.A in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy (Loyola University of Maryland) in 2020 and my M.S in Clinical Professional Counseling (Loyola University of Maryland) in 2024. I was a Clinical Counselor intern from 2023-2024 (Institute For HEALing) completing 880 clinical hours supporting clients ranging from ages 18-80 with a variety of symptoms, conflicts, and challenges.

While completing my master’s degree, I began working in higher education at Loyola University. I supporting 400+ students living on campus with roommate conflicts, mental health concerns (anxiety, home sickness, depression, transitions, etc.), crises (suicidal ideation/intent, Title IX incidents, bias incidents, self harm, alcohol poisoning), professional development, and resource referrals. I loved the support I was able to provide the residents while honing my counseling skills and was promoted to a professional full-time position when I completed my master’s degree in 2024. After working in higher education for about 5 years (2021-2026), I decided to transition from higher education and move to Berlin to focus on gaining experience working as a psychologist in a new country. My experiences growing up in a big family, the holistic education I received, and the challenges I have faced at work have shaped the ways I approach life as well as my practice centered on humanistic, cognitive-based, positive, empathetic, mindful, and exploratory techniques.