Mari DeRienzo, LPC

Mari DeRienzo is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in New Jersey with 39 years of experience. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship and parenting concerns. She aims to make first steps into therapy feel manageable and respectful of each person's pace.

Mari focuses on clear, practical conversations. She creates a calm space where people can share difficult thoughts and feelings without judgment. Sessions look at what matters most now and work toward small, usable changes.

Her work combines a few straightforward methods. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps people notice unhelpful thinking and try different behaviors. Client-Centered Therapy centers the conversation on the person’s own goals and values. Solution-Focused Therapy finds immediate steps that move life forward.

Mari also addresses topics such as grief, self-esteem, compassion fatigue, ADHD, intimacy issues, and concerns tied to family of origin. Additional focuses include addiction, communication problems, commitment and infidelity, and work-related stress among first responders.

She describes therapy as collaborative coaching and problem-solving. People often leave sessions with a clearer plan and skills to handle stress or conflict. Those interested in starting complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a session based on the listed process.

Approaches and how online work can help

Client-Centered Therapy places the person's goals and values at the center of each session. The therapist listens, reflects, and helps the person choose the topics to focus on, which can be useful for issues like self-esteem and life transitions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It helps people notice unhelpful thinking patterns and practice different behaviors, which is often effective for anxiety and stress.

Motivational Interviewing supports change by exploring a person’s own reasons for wanting to act differently. It can be helpful for addiction, hesitation around parenting changes, or making difficult life adjustments.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with the person about goals, try methods that fit, and adjust based on what helps most. This is presented as a collaborative process rather than a fixed plan.

If you are considering online work, confirm available session formats before booking since they are not specified in the biography. Online sessions can make scheduling easier, allow shorter check-ins when time is tight, and reduce travel so therapy fits into a busy day. Talk with the therapist about what will work best for your routine and goals.