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- Stress and anxiety
- Caregiver support
- CBT and EFT methods
About Marikay
LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) in Illinois with 35 years of experience, Marikay Gazda focuses on stress, anxiety, grief, depression, and the strains of caregiving and aging. She works with individuals facing major life changes, chronic illness, or the emotional toll of caring for others. Sessions emphasize practical coping, clearer communication, and rebuilding a sense of self after loss or illness.
Marikay uses client-centered methods to listen and understand what matters most to each person. She also draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to identify unhelpful thoughts and change patterns that worsen anxiety or depression. Emotionally-focused and psychodynamic ideas help uncover emotional patterns and attachment concerns that repeat over time.
Her work includes helping people manage panic attacks, process grief, and address feelings of emptiness, guilt, or shame. She supports those dealing with cancer, chronic pain, or hospice and end-of-life situations by focusing on what the individual needs most in the moment. Communication problems and relationship strains are addressed through practical skills and clearer expression of feelings.
Marikay helps people reconnect with self-love and life purpose while also offering tools for everyday coping. She uses solution-focused strategies when people want short-term, goal-oriented work. Over decades of practice she has worked with a broad range of adult concerns and life stages.
Sessions are conducted in English in Illinois. People interested in starting complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session through the online therapy options button. Costs vary by location and use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
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How her approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and supporting each person's priorities. In practice this means the therapist reflects concerns, clarifies what matters most, and helps clients set the agenda for sessions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and teaches practical skills to change them, which can be useful for anxiety, panic, and depression. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) helps people identify and organize strong emotions and the patterns that follow, which can relieve loneliness, attachment concerns, and relationship strain.Finding the right combination of these methods is part of the work. The therapist and client review goals and preferences together and adjust the approach as progress unfolds. That collaborative process guides whether sessions emphasize skills training, emotional exploration, or short-term solution work.
Specific session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, shorten travel time, and allow for regular check-ins during difficult life transitions. They also allow therapists to integrate worksheets, skills practice, and brief between-session tasks directly into ongoing work without promising a particular format.
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Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
35+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
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Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, caregiving strain, relationship and self-esteem issues, and related concerns such as panic, isolation, and end-of-life counseling.
What therapeutic approaches are used in sessions?
Sessions use client-centered work along with cognitive behavioral therapy, emotionally-focused techniques, psychodynamic ideas, and solution-focused strategies depending on the person's needs.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 35 years of experience practicing as a clinical social worker in a variety of adult-focused settings.
What credential and location apply to her practice?
She is an Illinois Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and practices in Illinois.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted; sessions are provided to people in Illinois.
How are sessions paid for and what do they cost?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, completing the short matching questionnaire, and scheduling a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the urgent help numbers.