My name is Mari Napoli (they/them) and I am a Registered Dance/Movement Therapist and Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (registration pending) in the state of California, supervised by Georgie Kelly, MA, LPCC #9136. I have a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Dance/Movement Therapy and a Bachelor’s Degree in Expressive Arts Therapy and Holistic Psychology, both from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I recently moved to San Diego from Boston, where I worked for an LGBTQIA+ Outpatient Therapy Service called The Home for Little Wanderers. I have also worked in a Partial Hospitalization Program and work with individuals aged 13 and over. 

My background in the arts, specifically dance, has shaped the way in which I practice. Understanding that trauma is a heavily body-felt experience and that words can be hard to access when in crisis/high stress is vital in my work. Because of this, art as a healing mechanism remains in the forefront, using different art modalities, including visual art, movement, dance, music, drama, and writing throughout the therapeutic process, as well as talk therapy alongside the art-based work. I come from a holistic, client-centered, trauma informed, queer informed and culturally sensitive lens. I am very active in the LGBTQIA+ community, and I am extremely passionate about queer advocacy, specifically transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive rights. I also created and co-led Massachusetts’ first ever support group for elementary aged LGBTQIA+ youth in Salem, MA before moving to San Diego, and I hope to continue that work here in California. My specialties include anxiety, depression, trauma, bipolar disorder, self-esteem, gender identity, and sexuality issues. 

I am non-binary and use they/them pronouns. Some words I use to self-identify include: queer, non-binary, transgender, and demisexual. I am trans-affirming, queer-affirming, body-affirming, and I practice cultural humility. Outside of therapy, I am a contemporary dancer and have a chinchilla I adore.

I will be able to accept new clients in 2024.