Mara Chow

I provide trauma-informed, attachment-based therapy for individuals, couples, and families seeking meaningful and lasting change. My approach integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), attachment-focused interventions, and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to support healing, emotional balance, and stronger relationships. For individuals, I help clients navigate anxiety, depression, burnout, life transitions, relationship stress, and emotional overwhelm. Using CBT, we examine the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors—identifying unhelpful patterns and building practical skills to reduce distress, improve coping, and increase resilience. Through a trauma-informed and attachment-centered lens, we also explore how early experiences and relational dynamics may be shaping present challenges. For couples, I use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), developed by Sue Johnson, an evidence-based, attachment-based model designed to help partners strengthen emotional bonds, improve communication, repair trust, and move out of negative cycles. EFT helps couples feel more secure, understood, and connected. Across all my work, I recognize how family systems, cultural context, and social environments influence emotional well-being. I believe every individual—and every relationship—has inherent strengths, resilience, and the capacity for growth. Therapy is a collaborative process where we build insight, develop healthier coping strategies, strengthen emotional regulation, and create more secure and fulfilling connections. My goal is to provide a safe, supportive, and culturally responsive space where clients feel empowered to heal, grow, and build a more balanced, connected, and meaningful life.

Aug. 2020 - Present KLINISCHE PSYCHOLOGIN / HEILPRAKTIKERIN (PSYCHOTHERAPIE) / LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST www.marachow.com - Private Practice; Hamburg, Germany May 2015 – Jul. 2020 MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST Wellnest/Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic – Community Mental Health Services; Los Angeles, CA Sep. 2013 – Dec. 2014 MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY TRAINEE Counseling Partners of Los Angeles – School-Based Counseling Services; Los Angeles, CA May 2010 – Jul. 2013 INTAKE COORDINATOR / COUNSELOR / CASE MANAGER Didi Hirsch – Community Mental Health Services; Los Angeles, CA Jan. 2009 – May 2010 MANAGING DIRECTOR LA2DAY – Online Lifestyle Magazine; Brentwood, CA Jun. 2008 – Feb. 2009 MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR OCM – Content Development for Websites; West Hollywood, CA

01/2022 Heilpraktikerin (Psychotherapie) 01/2019 Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist # 111208 06/2010 – 12/2014 Pepperdine University, Graduate School of Education and Psychology, Los Angeles, CA Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy Summa Cum Laude (12.12.2014) 02/2010 – 05/2010 Department of Mental Health America of Los Angeles, Jump Start Mental Health Fellowship, Los Angeles, CA Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist (14.05.2010) 06/2006 – 06/2008 University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Studies Summa Cum Laude (13.06.2008) 06/2004 – 06/2006 Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA Transfer Education (10.06.2006) 10/2001 – 06/2004 Theatre of Arts, Los Angeles, CA Advanced Acting Degree (02.06.2004) 1990 – 2000 Annette-von-Droste-Hülshoff-Gymnasium, Münster Abitur (06.07.2000)