Frequently asked questions

What is the process for working together?

The best way to start is with a free 15-minute consultation call. We'll talk briefly about what's bringing you in and what you're hoping for in therapy, and you'll get a sense of how I work as a therapist. If we both feel like it's a good fit, we'll schedule a first session. If it's not the right match, I'm happy to point you toward someone who might be.

You can reach me at marahpinnolislicsw@gmail.com.

Where are you located? Do you see clients in person or online?

My office is at 635 Massachusetts Ave, Suite 14, in the heart of Arlington Center, next to Tatte. I see clients in person in Arlington and I also see clients online. I'm licensed in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and Washington DC, so online sessions are available to anyone living in those places.

What is your rate?

My rate is $250 for a 50-minute session. I am an out-of-network provider, which means I don't bill insurance directly, but many clients are able to get partial reimbursement through their insurance plan's out-of-network benefits.

Do you take insurance?

I'm an out-of-network provider, so I don't bill insurance directly. After each session, I can provide a superbill — an itemized receipt that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Most PPO plans offer some reimbursement for out-of-network mental health care, though the amount varies. I’m happy to explain this more fully if you have specific questions.

What can I expect in a first session?

The first session is mostly conversation. We'll go through some intake questions, talk about what's been bringing you in, and start to map out what you'd like therapy to do for you. There's nothing you need to prepare. The goal of the first session isn't to dive into the deepest stuff — it's to start building the relationship that lets us do that work together over time.

How long does therapy usually last?

That depends on what you're working on. Some clients come for a focused stretch — three to six months around a specific transition or challenge. Others stay longer, especially if they're working on patterns that have been with them a long time. Most of my clients come weekly to start, and we revisit frequency of therapy as we go.

What kinds of issues do you treat?

I work with young adults and new moms. Common reasons clients come to me include:

• Anxiety, including health anxiety, body image anxiety, and generalized anxiety

• Postpartum depression, anxiety, or rage

• Identity changes around becoming a parent

• Pregnancy loss and grief

• Fertility challenges

• Perfectionism

• Career transitions and burnout

• Relationship strain — with partners, parents, or your changing self

• Transition in and out of college

If you're not sure whether what you're working through is a fit, that's a great topic for a consultation call.

What kind of therapy do you practice?

I work as a holistic therapist, which means I draw from several frameworks depending on what each person needs. The main ones are:

• Relational and attachment-based therapy — looking at how the patterns you formed early in life show up in your current relationships

• Psychodynamic therapy — exploring the deeper roots of the things you're feeling

• Somatic therapy — including the body as part of the conversation, not just the mind

• Mindfulness-based approaches — building awareness of what's happening in the present moment

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) — identifying thought patterns that are keeping you stuck

In practice, this looks less like a manual and more like a conversation. I trust that we’ll figure out the best approach as we work together.

What's your cancellation policy?

I ask for 48 hours notice for cancellations. Sessions cancelled less than 48 hours in advance are charged at the full rate, with the exception of genuine emergencies, which I always work with on a case-by-case basis.

Do you prescribe medication?

I don't — as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, prescribing isn't part of my scope of practice. If we determine in our work together that medication might be helpful, I'll refer you to a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner I trust, and we can coordinate care.

Do you treat couples?

I work with individuals only. If you're looking for couples therapy, I'm happy to refer you to colleagues who specialize in that work.