Moraya DeGeare MA, LMFT, Certified Emotionally Focused TherapistIt takes a lot of courage to reach out for support when you’re feeling vulnerable. I’m acutely aware that you might feel uncomfortable with the idea of counseling and seeking therapy. Life is like a roller coaster ride and sometimes you need someone to help you through the valleys and over the hills.
It can be easier to sit down and talk to someone new if you know a bit about them. I come from a large musical family from New England. I have a mixed race backgroun primarily African-American, Caucasian and Japanese. I am married and my husband happens to be mixed as well, so I know personally the challenges and joys this can bring. I take this knowledge into therapy with me adding an understanding to working with mixed race couples. How our families and cultures can give us such drastically different understands on what communication and connection should feel like in a marriage. My own family recently expanded and we have an inquisitive young son who is a joy to be around.
Because of all of the cultures in my life, I love to cook and travel. As a teenager I was diagnosed with celiac disease, an autoimmune disease that makes it so I can’t digest gluten. I love exploring restaurants and cooking gluten free. I am passionate about helping those newly diagnosed navigate the complexities of the disease.
I enjoy working with couples to break down the conflict and distance so they can reconnect and restore the relationship. By rebuilding trust and communication, I have the opportunity to help couples and families heal. I utilize Emotionally Focused Therapy to break out of the negative cycles we get stuck in. This brings relief and understanding especially when couples feel that they have had the same argument over and over again.
I have clinical experience working with couples navigating addictions, with a particular focus in sexual and porn or cybersex addiction/complusivity. I find that I’m drawn to people who are transitioning from one stage of life to another, whether it is newly married and starting a family or just divorcing. I love helping people find their voice, to better understand themselves within the chaos of life. I believe that self-awareness can help people have stronger and more meaningful relationships.
When I’m not in my practice, I enjoy reading, walking the lakes, playing with my son and cooking with my family.
I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology and dance from Guilford College in North Carolina. My passion for working with young people lead me to work for the Higher Achievement Program, an education nonprofit in Washington, D.C.
I found myself enjoying the work I did with the parents. It was wonderful to witness how enhancing parents’ communication and parenting skills positively affects their children.
Realizing I had a calling for working with families I continued my education and received my master’s degree in clinical counseling in marriage and family therapy from the Adler Graduate School.
