Marianne Lopez

I’m glad you’re here.

For nearly 30 years as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I’ve had the privilege of helping folks through some of life’s messier chapters—relationship troubles, trauma, addiction, anxiety, depression, and those seasons where you look around and think, “How in the world did I get here?”

My practice name with this Headway account is: Every Day Relationships Consulting LLC. Please ask me about my intensives (sessions 2 to 4 hours in length).

I have a special place in my heart for the people everybody else leans on. The caregivers, the helpers, the healthcare workers, first responders, educators, military families, and the ones holding everything together with a smile while running on fumes.

My style is warm, but direct. I’m not much for sitting around nodding and saying “mm-hmm” for fifty minutes. We’re going to talk honestly, get curious about what’s keeping you stuck, and find practical ways to help you move forward.

I’ll offer compassion when you need it, a little challenge when it’s called for, and probably a laugh or two along the way. Because healing is hard enough without feeling like you’re sitting in a stuffy office being psychoanalyzed.

Life can get complicated. People can be complicated. Sometimes we’re the complicated part. That’s okay.

You don’t have to have it all figured out before you walk through the door. Just come as you are (sweats and furry faces welcome), and we’ll sort through it together.

My clients have described me as perceptive, warm, and compassionate. But they'll also tell you I'm a straight-talker and a truth-teller. And honestly? They're not wrong!

I believe you can be kind and compassionate while still being honest. Sometimes we need someone who will listen without judgment, offer a different perspective, gently challenge those familiar patterns, and tell us what we may not be ready to hear—but might need to.

My approach blends years of clinical experience, a down-to-earth therapy style, and the principles of Relational Life Therapy (RLT). I believe in creating meaningful connections, getting beneath the surface, and helping people recognize the patterns that keep them stuck.

You can expect warmth, humor, compassion, and a healthy dose of honesty. I won't simply tell you what you want to hear, but I will always strive to meet you with respect, curiosity, and genuine care.

Because sometimes growth requires a little encouragement, sometimes a little tough love, and sometimes someone willing to lovingly call it like they see it.

My philosophy? Compassion without honesty can leave us stuck. Honesty without compassion can leave us wounded. There's room for both here.

Therapy starts simple—we get to know each other. No rush, no pressure, and no pretending you’ve got everything figured out on day one. You deserve to feel comfortable, understood, and clear about how I work before we ever start digging into the heavy stuff. We take our time building that foundation, because real change doesn’t grow where you don’t feel safe.

And then... we get to work.

We’re going to take a real look at the thoughts, beliefs, and patterns that have been running the show behind the scenes—shaping your choices, your relationships, and that stress you’ve been dragging around way too long. And yes, if something’s keeping you stuck, I’m going to point it out. Kindly... but don’t worry, I won’t sugarcoat it either.

Because awareness is good. Change is better.

I’ll also give you tools you can actually use in real life—not just things that sound good in session and disappear the second life gets messy. We’re talking ways to calm your nervous system, quiet the mental chaos, set boundaries without a 3-day guilt spiral, and stop living like everything is an emergency.

This isn’t therapy where we sit in circles rehashing the same story for months and call it progress. We’re here to actually move things forward—steady, honest, and intentional. And if something needs to be called out, we’ll call it out and keep it moving.

We’ll be honest with each other. Some sessions will feel heavy, some will feel clarifying, and yes—some will come with a little humor, because I don’t believe healing has to feel like punishment.

And step by step, we’re going to get you somewhere better—more grounded, more clear, and a whole lot less weighed down by things you were never meant to carry forever.