About Maryam Zafari

My journey into the world of counseling began with a deep curiosity about how the mind and body work in concert, and how they are both affected and suffering. Through my work in mental health and addiction settings, I have witnessed both the depths of human despair and the profound resilience that emerges when people are given the tools to heal.

Early in my career, I found myself drawn to the complexities of addiction, trauma, and mental health, working alongside individuals whose lives had been shaped by adversity. Many of my clients had lived through trauma, neglect, domestic violence, substance dependency, or profound grief, often carrying these wounds silently for years. The work was challenging in both small and significant ways, but through these moments, I saw the potential for transformation.

Over the years, I have trained in Polyvagal Theory, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and trauma-informed care. These frameworks have shaped my approach, allowing me to meet clients where they are—understanding how experiences shape core beliefs, emotional responses, and nervous system patterns. I have also studied the body extensively and how healing becomes possible when we learn to listen to the body, relationships, and how healing becomes possible when we learn to listen to our inner voices with compassion and curiosity.

Many of my clients come to me feeling burnt out, disconnected, or trapped in cycles of emotional overwhelm. Others struggle with a chronic sense of numbness, as if life is happening around them rather than through them. With time, we learn to listen to the nervous system, to understand its patterns, and to find a way back to regulation—a foundation for feeling safe in one's own body.