River Marino

Vegan Therapist in North Carolina

Therapy

Things happen in life that are painful, unexpected and overwhelming. During these difficult times, we may feel anxious, alone and unsure of our next steps. We need someone who can hold space for us – to listen without judgment or giving advice – while we learn to compassionately support ourselves. You’re not alone. I’m here to offer compassionate, empowering support while you navigate your way into the unknown.

​At other times, we may feel confused and frustrated, stuck in old patterns and disconnected from the wisest part of ourselves. We’d like to (re)connect with ourselves and gain a deeper insight into what’s working in our lives and what’s not. I’m here to be an honest travel companion, walking beside you and reflecting back to you your deepest truth.

​If we’re grieving, we need someone who can, as grief expert Megan Devine says, “bear witness to that which cannot be fixed.” Someone to sit beside us while we grieve the unbearable. Someone who won’t gaslight us with toxic positivity or harmful platitudes. Those of us familiar with grief know this truth: “Some things cannot be fixed. They can only be carried.” (Devine) Grief can be achingly lonely. I’m here to sit with you through it all.

ALL PARTS OF YOU ARE WELCOME HERE

Together, we’ll create an accepting and compassionate environment, with respect for your intuition and body’s wisdom underlying all that we do.

We’ll create a holistic container that can hold it all: the fear, the grief, the shame, the anxiety, the doubts… by utilizing whatever approaches feel most supportive to you. This may include parts work (Internal Family Systems), in-session mindfulness practices or incorporating somatic (body-centered) support.

All somatic support, meditation and mindfulness offered in session is neurodivergence-inclusive

TRAUMA-SENSITIVE SPACE HOLDER

I value equity, consent and boundaries in the therapeutic relationship and am committed to creating an anti-oppressive space that is safe(r) – especially for people who are made marginalized. I also aim to unlearn and disrupt my own internalized oppressions.

Autistic-Affirming Therapy

I provide an Autistic-affirming perspective in therapy and believe Autism is a genetically-based neurotype, not a medical disorder. “I understand being autistic to be a cultural identity and recognize #actuallyautistic people as experts on their own culture.” -Janae Elisabeth, Trauma Geek

As an Autistic therapist, I’m here to create a safe space that affirms your Autistic identity.

Autistic-affirming therapy seeks to…

• support you in better understanding yourself, by better understanding your neurotype
• create a safe space to explore Autistic masking and unmasking
• attend to the complex trauma many Autistic people experience
• validate your unique lived experience as a late-identified Autistic adult
• provide an experience of Autistic culture in session with an Autistic therapist
• encourage info dumping about special interests in sessions (this can be profoundly healing)
• unpack internalized ableism + discuss Autistic burnout
• support you in discovering your needs + learn Autistic coping skills

ALL PARTS OF YOU ARE WELCOME HERE

Together, we’ll create an accepting and compassionate environment, with respect for your neurotype underlying all that we do. We’ll create a holistic container that can hold it all: the overwhelm, the uncertainty, the grief, the shame, the anxiety… by utilizing whatever approaches feel most supportive to you. This may include parts work (Internal Family Systems), in-session mindfulness practices or non-verbal approaches like creative arts expression.

​All somatic support, meditation and mindfulness offered in session is neurodivergence-inclusive.

My approach

​My approach to therapy is both collaborative and holistic, centering around values of⁣ embodied presence, empathy, connection and deep listening. I’m not here to change you or fix you. In fact, I don’t think you are “broken” or that there’s anything “wrong” with you. I’m here to create a nonjudgmental, accepting space for you to connect more compassionately with yourself.

I’m trauma-informed, social justice-oriented, and view therapy through an intersectional lens (bodymind, environment, culture, etc.). During our time together, we’ll likely look at the environmental factors (interpersonal, economic, systemic oppression, etc.) that create, and contribute to, individual/collective stress and trauma.

​My approach is inspired by Internal Family Systems and I view IFS through a neurodivergence-affirming lens. I have my own IFS therapist that I meet with regularly and I’ve participated in a monthly IFS group for late-identified Autistics.

​I believe the therapeutic relationship is an important aspect of therapy. I put this belief into practice by: prioritizing self-care when I’m not in session and limiting client scheduling on a daily/weekly basis so that I’m able to show up fully for your sessions and be completely present with you.