Mariam Salmassi- MSW Intern

Low Cost Therapy

• MSW Intern

• Therapist

  Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

• Patient Populations: College Students, Adults

• Education:

  • University of Michigan School of Social Work (Current)

• Investment: $30-$50 per session (Not in network with insurance)

You have the feeling that something in your life is off, that things just aren’t quite right. Despite your best efforts, past traumas continue to affect your ability to live the life you truly want. You struggle with relationships, experience intense emotions, and feel disconnected from yourself and others. You find yourself stuck in cycles of distressing behaviors, resulting in feelings of shame and guilt. As a result, you often feel lonely and isolated. You are not alone, and these experiences do not define you. You are in exactly the right place, and I’m so glad you’re here!

My name is Mariam, and I am a queer-identifying MSW therapy intern and a person of color. I hold a Certificate in LGBTQ Studies and am committed to providing affirming care for LGBTQ+ individuals. I value gender diversity, fat positivity, and neurodiversity. In my training, I am gaining expertise in therapies informed by Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I'm here to support you on your journey—whether you're working on reconnecting with your authentic self, developing skills to navigate life’s challenges, reducing anxiety, or building a life that truly resonates with who you are.

Together, we can work toward understanding the root of your feelings and how to listen to them, fostering self-awareness and empowerment. We will also explore the parts of you that may be making life more challenging. I can support you in practicing new skills and strengthening your connection to your intuition.

• Treatment Focus Areas

  • Anxiety

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

  • Attachment Focused

  • Borderline Personality Disorder

  • Chronic Pain and Illness

  • Childhood Trauma

  • Codependency

  • Coping Skills

  • Complex PTSD

  • Depression

  • Divorce or Breakup

  • Empaths and Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)

  • Family Conflict

  • Grief and Loss

  • LGTBQ+

  • Life Transitions (Career Change, Retirement, Moving, Parenthood, etc)

  • Neurodiverse Individuals

  • Racism and Racial Identity

  • Recovering Perfectionists and People Pleasers

  • Self-Esteem

  • Spirituality

  • Stress

  • Trauma/PTSD

• Therapy Modalities

  • Internal Family Systems

  • Mindfulness/Meditation

  • Attachment Based Therapy

  • Polyvagal Theory

  • Neurodivergent Affirming Therapy

  • Affirmative Therapy

  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Person Centered

  • Strengths Based

  • Culturally Sensitive

  • Relational

  • Interpersonal

  • Existential

Get to Know Mariam:

• Who is your ideal client:

  I enjoy working with people who are open minded, curious and want to work on themselves.

• What is something you wish people knew about therapy or the therapy process?

  Taking the step to seek therapy can truly be one of the best most courageous things you can do for yourself and those around you. Therapy helps you to access what you already have inside and deepen your skills and gain perspective, while you learn how to use them effectively. During therapy you are the driver, and the therapist works as a guide with the roadmap to help you reach your destination. The wonderful thing is, you already have everything you need to make the most of therapy. Also, it's important to acknowledge the impact that external factors, such as systems of oppression, can have on our mental health. Therapy can provide a safe and supportive space to explore these issues too.

• Why do you like being a therapist?

  I love that I have the privilege to to provide support to people during some of their most challenging times and that I get to be part of the process of personal growth, watching people grow is an amazing experience.

• Besides being a therapist, what do you enjoy in your spare time?

  I enjoy reading books, spending time in nature, usually with my dog, and staying active through exercise.

• What is your favorite book, podcast, or mental health resource?

  • Self Compassion by Dr. Kristin Neff

  • Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Grover Tawab

  • Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System by Deb Dana