Works with ages 18+

Marlana earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Public Administration from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, New York. She has been in the mental health field since 2006. Her journey in becoming a clinician has been extensive and inclusive of performing at all levels in the continuum of mental health services and has afforded her the opportunity to understand the mental health field in a comprehensive way. Marlana is Licensed as Clinical Addiction Specialist LCAS (23996). Her pursuit of clinical skills began in 2018 after completing the substance abuse certification program at Wake Technical Community College and becoming certified as alcohol and drug counselor. She has been facilitating Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient groups and individual outpatient counseling for four years. Marlana earned her Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virgina. Marlana is licensed as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor (17384). Marlana's LCMHC license is credentialed through the National Board for Certified Counselors. Marlana is also a SYMBIS (marriage coaching) facilitator.

Her specialty is adults with substance use disorders. Marlana is a certified Prime for Life instructor/NCDUI assessor. She specializes in working with individuals who are suffering from depression and anxiety as well as individuals with a dual diagnosis (SA/MH).

Marlana is a person-centered therapist whose foundational approach is being empathetic, building a therapeutic rapport with clients, and meeting clients where they are. Marlana's theoretical model of choice is cognitive behavioral therapy in correlation to where the client is in the readiness for change. Marlana's approach is responsive to the individual's needs as well as integrated and flexible. Marlana incorporates psychoeducational components on relevant diagnosis, schema therapy, DBT, ACT, and attachment styles that influence negative cognitive distortions creating a collaborative environment where clients are encouraged to gain insight/awareness, develop positive coping skills, and learn to make healthy choices. Using evidence based strategies, positive outcomes include increased healthy coping skills, individual growth, and increased awareness.