Exploring Life & Business with Mari Mora of Mari Mora Marriage and Family Therapy Inc.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mari Mora.

Hi Mari, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today?

I knew I wanted to be a therapist in college, switching my major from journalism to psychology halfway through. I remember laughing at myself for ever thinking journalism made sense—I didn’t even like watching the news! At the time, I imagined psychology would be a “second career,” something I’d pursue later in life after a few adventures and detours. And after quite a few adventures I transitioned into this field earlier than I imagined.

After graduation, I was in a terrible car accident while visiting home for the holidays. Chronic back pain derailed my plans to move to New York and work in PR. A family friend—seeing I was a bit lost and restless—invited me to help with a show he was producing in Beverly Hills, which turned out to be The Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Party. I had never worked in events before, but I fell in love with it instantly. It was dynamic, chaotic, and exciting.

That job led to me working Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, and soon after, I was touring internationally, producing over 100 music festivals across North and South America and Europe. It was an incredible chapter of my life—fast-paced, creative, and filled with energy. But after five years on the road, I felt called to return to what I’d always known I’d do: therapy.

I went back to graduate school to earn my master’s in Clinical Psychology and built my private practice, I work with adolescents and adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. My approach is rooted in Relational and Psychodynamic therapy, and I’ve spent the past six years training under the psychoanalyst Dr. Lawrence Hedges, Ph.D., Psy.D., ABPP., author of “Listening Perspectives”.

As my practice evolved, I became fascinated by how trauma manifests in the body, which led me to train in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). My work now integrates psychodynamic depth with somatic awareness—helping clients understand how the unconscious, attachment, and trauma shape our inner worlds.

Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?

Not at all! I became licensed at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, which forced me to get creative about how to reach clients and build a sustainable practice. I decided to become licensed in five additional states and transition entirely to telehealth.

Ten years ago, a fully remote therapy practice would’ve been dismissed by much of the psychology field. But now, it’s one of the most effective and accessible ways to provide care. I see clients across multiple time zones, meeting them—literally—where they are.

Please tell us more about your business or organization. What should we know? What do you do, what do you specialize in / what are you known for? What sets you apart from others? What are you most proud brand wise? What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc?

 My private practice is built on the belief that therapy should feel authentic, safe, and deeply human. I work primarily with adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and relational challenges — helping them explore the deeper emotional patterns shaping their lives.

One of the things that truly sets me apart is my background in the touring and live music industry. Before becoming a therapist, I spent years working in festival and touring production, producing over 100 shows worldwide. That experience gave me a firsthand understanding of the unique pressures, dynamics, and exhaustion that come with life on the road. I know what it’s like to play three back-to-back shows in different cities, to sleep on the bottom bunk of a tour bus, and to navigate the complex relationships between managers, artists, and crew.

Many of my clients come from the touring and entertainment world, and the feedback I hear most often is that they finally feel understood. The nuances of that lifestyle can be hard to explain to someone who hasn’t lived it — but because I have, we can move past the surface details and get right to the heart of the work: identity, boundaries, relationships, and fulfillment.

Whether someone is in an office or on the road, those themes are universal to the human experience. I feel deeply honored to walk beside my clients as they explore who they are and what brings them meaning.

I’m also proud that my practice reflects a modern, approachable take on therapy. I offer telehealth sessions across six states, making therapy flexible and accessible to people with busy or mobile lifestyles. My approach blends psychodynamic depth with EMDR— integrating how the mind, body, and past experiences shape our present selves.

At its core, my brand is about connection, understanding, and growth. I want therapy to feel less clinical and more like a deeply human conversation — one that helps people come home to themselves.

How do you define success?

To me, success isn’t about recognition or financial markers. It’s about feeling aligned and authentic—living from a place of passion and presence. When I’m following what excites and fulfills me, I feel deeply successful, regardless of external validation.

Is there any pricing information relevant to our readers?

The frustration many people feel with insurance companies extends into the therapy world. Insurance often dictates session frequency and requires diagnoses—not necessarily to benefit the client, but to serve their bottom line.

For that reason, I operate as a private-pay practice.

• Fee: $240 per 45-minute session
• Frequency: I typically recommend weekly sessions

This allows me to focus entirely on the therapeutic relationship and tailor treatment to each individual’s needs, without interference.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://marimoratherapy.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mari-mora-ma-lmft-a6395243