Mary "Denise" Sartori Garcia, M. A., LPC, LMFT Specializes in Family Therapy, Couples, and Teens (Age 11 and Up), Anxiety, Anger, Stress Management, Depression, Relational Issues, Behavioral Changes, and Communication Private Pay and Sliding Scale Please contact her at denisegarcia@familyandyouthinstitute.com or (281) 748-0233 Evening Appointments and Limited Saturday Appointments Available

Hi! My passion is client success. I love seeing my clients living the best life they can. Reach out if you are ready to find creative solutions for your life challenges. 

I am from TX and relocated to Richmond Hill, GA, almost two years ago. Now I am licensed in GA as a Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor. I am re-entering private practice part-time and have limited space for the clients for whom I may be a good fit. I have been helping people since 2006, and I continue to love what I do and to have a passion for this work. I especially enjoy working with couples, parents, children, and adolescents, as well as the entire family unit. Currently,  I am working from my home office with face-to-face clients, seeing  clients via telehealth, and working within the client home, when appropriate and possible based on distance, schedule, and needs.

I believe it is vital to understand, first. from where the client(s) are coming, to meet them there by collaborating to formulate a plan of action, and then help move or guide client(s) toward their goals. I hope to increase self-efficacy and autonomy with clients, so they may take the tools and insights gained in therapy and carry with them in their toolbox outside of therapy sessions.

Specifically, I have experience and enjoy helping those looking for help with relationships, family dynamics, stress relief, anxiety reduction, and management of mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar. I have worked extensively with clients working to improve the setting of healthy boundaries, increase self-awareness, create behavioral changes, maintain consistency of goals, increase coping skills, cope with adjustment and transition, learn parenting skills, improve communication, and address school-related concerns, such as stress, peer-related concerns, transitional needs, and life skills and goals. That was a mouth full!

While therapy can be serious and intense, depending on client needs, it can also be fun. I like to bring humor into the session (as appropriate, of course), as well as, alternative ways of learning. This may be accomplished through activities, art methods, books/articles, worksheets, music, etc, based on age, learning style, needs, and interests. Some people get exactly what they need through talk therapy, but others may learn through different formats, which is completely normal and to be expected! I believe it's important to find things that work for each client.

On the technical side, while I enjoy bringing in experiential forms of therapy, I also believe in the importance of practicing modes of therapy that produce evidence-based results, such as utilizing CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and Gottman method for marital needs, as well as, utilizing Solution-Focused and Brief Therapy approaches. Most importantly, though, is the need to build rapport and trust in the therapeutic relationship. In short, if clients don't feel comfortable with the therapist, they may not be able to make progress. I believe it's important to address this aspect, as well, and to refer clients and help clients find the right resources as needed and/or communicated.

What I want clients to know, especially clients new to the therapy process or those who have had negative experiences in the past, is that normal people get therapy all of the time (it is probably what helps us stay normal), the first step is always the hardest, and it is okay to pace yourself and let the therapist know if you need to slow down in the process, take time building trust first, or pick up the pace. Your feeling safe and staying safe is always my Number 1 goal! I will answer any additional questions or clarify anything needed before scheduling if helpful.