Elizabeth Counseling and Wellness

Hi, I’m Mariya, but you’ll probably hear me introduce myself as Masha. It’s my Ukrainian name, and it’s the one I’ve always felt most at home with. I’m really glad you’re here! I know that reaching out for support can feel like a big step. Maybe you know exactly what you want help with, or maybe you just know that something doesn’t feel quite right and you’re not sure where to start. Either way, you don’t have to have everything figured out before you reach out. We can start wherever you are and take it from there. A big part of the work I do is helping people better understand themselves; their emotions, relationships, patterns, and the things that may be keeping them stuck. I want therapy to be a space where you can be honest, ask questions, feel understood, and work through things at your own pace. Together, we can build a better understanding of what’s going on and find practical ways to help you feel more confident, grounded, and capable in your everyday life. My approach is person-centered and culturally sensitive, meaning I want to understand you as a whole person rather than focus only on the problem that brought you in. Depending on what you need, I draw from approaches including CBT, DBT, attachment-based therapy, motivational interviewing, and psychoeducation. I believe therapy should be collaborative and flexible; there’s no single formula that works for everyone. I offer individual and couples counseling to clients throughout North Carolina, as well as life, career, and wellness coaching nationwide. Coaching is different from therapy and is more focused on things like personal or professional goals, life transitions, habits, direction, and creating structure. If you’re not sure which service is the right fit, that’s completely okay. We can talk through that together. A little more about me: I’m a first-generation Ukrainian-American and grew up in a big family. Growing up between Ukrainian and American cultures shaped a lot of how I understand identity, relationships, and the ways our background can influence how we see ourselves and the world around us. It’s one of the reasons I care so much about getting to know the person behind the things they’re struggling with. Professionally, I studied Psychology and Child & Family Development at UNC Charlotte and earned my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Wake Forest University. I’m a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHCA) in North Carolina, a National Certified Counselor (NCC), a member of Chi Sigma Iota, and a life, career, and wellness coach. You don’t have to have everything figured out before you reach out. Whether you’re looking for support, trying to make a change, or simply feeling unsure of what comes next, we can start wherever you are and take it from there.