Mariya
Psychologist / Co-owner of PSYNT
Specialties: narrative therapy, schema therapy, humanistic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, expat and immigrant counseling, LGBTQ+ identity development and affirmation, ADHD coaching, work with neurodiverse clients (identity, lifestyle adjustment), eating disorders, depressive/anxiety disorders, burnout, adjustment and grief, couples' counseling, work with polyamorous clients.
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Languages: English, Ukrainian.
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Pronouns: she/they.
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Education:
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M. A. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Counseling from Webster University, Leiden (Master’s Thesis: The “Lost Generation” of Ukraine: Psychological Experiences of the Collapse of the USSR and the Emergence of Ukrainian Independence)
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B. A. in Psychology and Communication from Saint Louis University, Madrid
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Currently working toward a Ph. D. in LGBTQ+ and family psychology at Leiden University.
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Affiliations: NIP Psycholoog (#228685), APA International Affiliate (#11608152), Rozehulpverlening (The Netherlands), International Therapist Directory (The Netherlands).
"I firmly believe that most mental health difficulties are natural responses to adverse life situations and unaccepting environments. The brain is an amazingly adaptive thing. My approach is to use that adaptability to create healthy and proportionate responses rather than perpetuate unhelpful reactions in the long term."
Trainings Attended
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January 2025 – Fédération Addiction Une heure pour apprendre à sauver une vie: Surdoses d’opioïdes et délivrance de naloxone
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June 2024 – Geula Women’s Leadership Program
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December 2023 - Kesher Shalom Project Supporting your Jewish Clients During an Active War & Rise of Antisemitism
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July 2020 – University of Amsterdam Sexuality and Culture
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January 2020 – University of Amsterdam Global Mental Health
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October 2019 – AAMFT Treating Nonbinary Clients Systemically
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October 2019 – Integrativa Treating Adults with Insecure Attachment
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June 2019 – APA Suicide Prevention
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October 2018 – Webster University Schema Therapy Workshop
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September 2017 – Johns Hopkins Psychological First Aid​
"My goal is to create a secure environment for the client, inform and normalize their experience, and create new ways of relating to their experience based on self-acceptance and self-care."
Speaker/Panelist
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January 2024 – University Guidance Counselor Network (Keynote Speaker) Neurodiversity at University Colleges in The Netherlands
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April 2019 – ClexaCon (Panelist) Bi+ Representation in the Media, Finding LGBTQ+ Mental Health Resources, Queer Storylines in Therapy: Constructing Your Narrative Through Fictional Characters
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November 2018 – ClexaCon London (Panelist) Bisexual Representation in the Media, Podcasting as an Outlet for Queer Voices, Pride and Prejudice: How Representation Affects Your Mental Health
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October 2018 – Leiden University Pride (Guest Speaker) A Day in a Queer Life: LGBTQ+ and Mental Health
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May 2018 – AEGEE (Workshop Speaker) Discrimination Within the LGBTQI Community
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April 2018 – Leiden University Pride SexPosium (Guest Speaker) The P Word: Polyamory
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October 2017 – Leiden University Pride Culture and Coming Out (Organizer and Guest Speaker) Bisexuality in Ukraine