Dr. Marilyn Ternay

Hello! My name is Dr Marilyn Ternay, a licensed Clinical Psychologist.

My experience over the past 40 years has covered the entire realm of ages and stages, from university teaching and working as a school psychologist for fifteen years, to many years of private practice, and working with senior citizens in nursing homes and retirement facilities.

While my experience is vast, my primary focus has been working with families, couples and individuals; they form the building blocks of our society.

My approach to therapy is influenced by the theoretical underpinnings of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It allows for a holistic view of the client, their situation, and the multiple options they have before them, as well as using techniques from many schools of thought.

My aim is to provide a warm, safe and caring environment, where trust allows for vulnerability and acceptance to happen. I see my job as a caring, encouraging teacher, whose goal is to eventually work herself out of a job.

Mainly, I teach my clients effective coping and communication skills, as well as how to analyze how their thoughts influence their behaviors. With this knowledge, they can change irrational thoughts and beliefs, and also realize better behavior choices.

Changing ingrained behavior patterns is hard work. Therefore, I often assign outside “homework” to practice new behaviors. I expect that my clients are invested in therapy and work hard outside therapy, practicing and doing their “homework”.