Mary received training at the Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic and the Women’s Health Concerns Clinic at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton where she worked with individuals presenting with difficulties associated with changes in mood and anxiety related to pregnancy, postpartum period, menopausal transition, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) as well as general mood and anxiety-related concerns and traumas. Mary also gained clinical experience through her volunteer work as a crisis counsellor specializing in receiving high-risk calls at the Distress Centres of Greater Toronto that required her to assess the caller’s distress level, and suicide risk, and offer the appropriate support and refer when necessary. She was inspired to become further engaged with distressed members of the community through volunteering at the Center for Victims of Torture. As a mentor/translator, she served the refugees and the broader Canadian community by assisting in quick refugee integration into the community. Mary also worked on many research projects related to individuals’ mental health; her most recent research involves understanding the predictors of emotional distress among cancer patients cross-culturally.

Mary is passionate about working with and supporting individuals of all ages who struggle with low mood, anxiety, low self-esteem, childhood traumas, and major psychiatric disorders. Mary values building rich connections and therapeutic rapport with individuals by being non-judgmental, empathic, and compassionate and by cultivating a safe and supportive space for others to be vulnerable. Mary works through a strength-based and anti-oppressive approach to help clients reach their goals in treatment. Mary will help her clients gain awareness of past and present issues and how they are interrelated. She will also help them identify cognitive distortions and reach more balanced thoughts as well as identify emotional dysregulations. Mary will also introduce different therapeutic approaches and techniques to help clients cope with their problems in healthy ways.

When not at the clinic, Mary loves to dance ballet, play tennis, and go to the dog park.

Mary can be contacted via email at Mmakarious@infinityhealthcentre.com for any questions or inquiries.