Meet Mary Kay Cocharo, LMFT

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Kay Cocharo.

Mary Kay, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I came to Santa Monica 28 years ago from Houston, Texas, where I was licensed as a Professional Counselor.

It was a difficult professional transition, as I had to become licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in California. This required 3000 supervised hours of work, a written exam and an oral. It took about a year to get operational here. At that point, I began a private practice where I saw individuals, families and couples. I also began to supervise other therapists in training. Over a series of years, I taught and supervised at some of the city’s top training sites: Antioch University, California School of Professional Psychology, Southern California Counseling Center, Pepperdine University, and California Family Graduate Institute.

After about five years here, it became clear that my work was gravitating toward working with couples, both before and after marriage. After much training, I became certified in Imago Relationship Therapy and then in Encounter-centered Couples Therapy. These certifications have put me in touch with colleagues from around the world with whom I actively enjoy conferences, seminars, and reunions. My work is always expanding and deepening as a result of these associations.

I started doing Premarital Counseling at St. Monica’s Catholic Church in 1990. I’ve literally prepared thousands of couples as they move toward deepening their commitment through marriage.

I currently see couples week to week, facilitate one and two day Private Intensives, and regularly conduct workshops. Start Right, Stay Connected is a workshop for seriously committed, engaged and newly married couples. Over the Bridge is both a workshop and a Group Intensive for couples at any stage of their relationship.

I also have three employees. These are interns who are, themselves, getting trained and supervised and who work under my license. I’ve mentored many budding therapists into the field over the years.

Six years ago, I started The Conversation Group. We are a collaborative group of therapists bound together for the purposes of opening space for supportive dialogues that open paths to clarity, insight, growth and healing. We sponsor a quarterly Speakers Series, offering a variety of topics of interest to mental health professionals and the public, alike.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I’m not sure that any career actually follows a smooth road! One of the most difficult struggles has been the loneliness of private practice. In order to counter that dilemma, I have taught, supervised and mentored other therapists for years. It’s also the reason that I formed The Conversation Group.

Mary Kay Cocharo, LMFT – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My business is a private counseling practice. What sets me apart is that I am truly a well trained and experienced Couples Therapist. Many therapists see couples, but are not actually trained to do so. I am proud to have two advanced certifications in working with couples and 28 years’ experience.

I am also proud of the collaboration I’ve formed in The Conversation Group. Five years ago, I built out a beautiful office space. I love that there are both experienced therapists and young interns sharing a common suite. It’s truly a place for sharing ideas, feelings, successes and challenges.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I help people have better lives. My definition of success is when I can see that taking place. I believe that each time I help a couple heal and become better together, I am helping the future of this planet. We all need to learn how to get along better. Children live in the space created by their parents and when it’s loving and respectful, they thrive.

Over the years, I have had many successes. Sometimes, couples choose to divorce. Helping them to let go respectfully is also good work.

Pricing:

• 90 minute sessions: $375
• 4 session Premarital Package: $1300
• Private Intensives: $2100 per day
• Premarital Workshops: $350 per day
• Relationship Workshops: from $700 to $2099 depending on size

Contact Info:

• Address: 11340 West Olympic Blvd.,
  Suite 210
  West Los Angeles, California 9o064
• Website: www.mkcocharo.com
• Phone: 3108282624
• Email: therapy@gmail.com
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/MaryKayMFT
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/mkcocharo
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mary-kay-cocharo-lmft-los-angeles
• Other: You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/user/mkcocharo/about

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