Irene Maropakis LCAT
Licensed Creative Art Therapist, EMDR, Reiki Level 2, CCATP, CSTIP
Therapy, in my opinion, is the great task of seeing. We often turn a blind eye to our own suffering, but most of all, the importance of our own stories.
As an art therapist, I feel a fierce dedication and commitment to care for my clients and their stories. I have seen the power of someone unfolding the story within themselves in lines of poetry, trembling hands, and paint splatters on their faces. I work as witness to my clients’ storytelling, as confusion and grief turn into self-understanding and compassion.
As our world becomes smaller in a time of fear and uncertainty, limited connection, and safety of self now threatened, I feel that it is our time as mental health professionals to provide a safe space for our communities in any way that we can. My goal is for my clients to learn to be kind to themselves in an unkind world.
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Anxiety & Stress-Related Disorders
Depression & Mood Disorders
Highly Sensitive Persons
Trauma & PTSD
Compassion Fatigue & Boundary Setting
Feminine / Masculine Wound Healing
Disordered Eating
Personal Growth & Development
The LGBTQIA+ Community
Pagan, Wiccan, Witch & Spiritual Practicioners
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Internal Family Systems Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Integrated Creative Art Therapy, Trauma-Conscious Embodied Healing Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Somatic, & Jungian Art Therapy, EMDR
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Irene works from a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, LGBTQIA+ affirming, feminist, sex positive, multiculturally sensitive, & intersectional approach towards holistic embodied healing and life empowerment.
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Licensed Creative Arts Therapist in New York State(002585-01)
Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional(678882), Evergreen Certifications
Certified Sex Therapy Informed Professional(496250) Integrative Sex Therapy Institute, Evergreen Certifications
Certified Reiki Level 1, Mikella Millen
Certified Reiki Level 2, Mikella Millen
Education
Master of Art Therapy & Creative Development, MPS, Pratt Institute, 2017
Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honors, School of Visual Arts, 2015
Therapeutic Modalities
EMDR
EMDR Trained, Trauma Institute & Child Trauma Institute Certification in Progress
Somatic, IFS EMDR, EFT, BPS Therapies
Integrative Somatic Parts Work Level 1, Fran D. Booth,The Embody Lab
Integrative Somatic Parts Work Level 2, Fran D. Booth,The Embody Lab
Integrative Somatic Parts Work Level 3, Fran D. Booth,The Embody Lab
Reiki For Psychotherapists Level 1, Mikella Millen
An Introduction to Internal Family Systems, Dr. Dick Schwartz, The Embody Lab
Clinical Applications of Internal Family Systems Therapy: Step-by-Step Procedures for Healing Traumatic Wounds and Alleviating Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Addiction and More, Alexia Rothman, PhD, Pesi
“Self-led Sexuality: An Internal Family Systems (IFS) Based Integrative Model for Healing, Pleasure, and Empowerment” with Patricia Rich, LCSW, CST-S,PPSC Annex
Ancestral Healing Through EFT Tapping, Mirjam Madhuri Paninski , CIIS Public Programs
Release Generational Trauma Tension, Dr. Mariel Buqué
Polyvagal Informed EMDR, Rebecca Kase
Distinguishing Self-like parts from Self-Energy in IFS Therapy, The Life Architect
Working with Chronic Pain: The Somatic Connection, Dr. Peter Levine, The Embody Lab
Chronic Pain: A Somatic Approach, Dr. Peter Levine, The Embody Lab
Yoga for Attachment Repair and Trauma Resolution: Embodiment and Polyvagal Theory, Trauma Conscious Yoga Institute
Creating Environments of Safety and Trust Through Polyvagal Theory, Stephen Porges, PHD, The Collective Trauma Summit 2022
Somatic Psychology: Strategies for Transformation Through the Body, Derek P. Scott & Eleanor Criswell Hanna & Theresa Silow, The Shift Network, The Somatic Summit 2022
Brainspotting with David Grand, Ph.D.: The Brain-Body Based Therapy for Treating Trauma, PESI
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Integrate CBT and Exposure & Response Prevention for Treatment of GAD, Panic Disorder, OCD, Social Anxiety, & Phobias, Kimberly Morrow, LCSW, Elizabeth DuPont Spencer, M.S.W., LCSW, PESI
Best Practices for Anxiety Treatment in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dr. Dawn Elise Snipes
Trauma & PTSD
The Nuts & Bolts of Providing PTSD Treatment over a Telehealth Modality: Clinical Considerations, VH Train, U.S Department of Veterans Affairs
An In-Depth Look at PTSD, Simple Practice Learning
Healing the Fragmented Self After Trauma, Academy of Therapy Wisdom
Emotionally Focused Therapy for Traumatized Individuals - Shaping a New Sense of Self, Dr. Sue Johnson, The Embody Lab
Intimate Partner Violence: Trauma-Informed Interventions for Survivors, Katelyn Baxter-Musser, LCSW, C-DBT, PESI
Impact of Generational and Racial Trauma on Attachment and Security,Eboni Webb, PsyD, HSP, PESI
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Get Unstuck from Depression and Anxiety with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Anxiety & Depression Association of America
Six ACT Conversations in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, RMIT University Counseling Service
Jungian Therapy
Introduction to Jungian Shadow Work, Jung Platform
The Tarot and Jungian Psychology: Connections, Dr. Ken James, Jung Platform
Intergenerational Shadow Journey: Heal The Past - Heal the Present with Nir Esterman, The Embody Lab
Stabilizing the Unstable: Working with Self-Destructive and Addictive Behaviors, Eating Disorders, and Suicidality, Academy of Therapy Wisdom
Narrative Therapy
Narrative Therapy Practice, Dulwich Centre
Sex & Couples Therapy
Healing Couples' Conflict and Repair, Dr. Diane Poole Heller, Dr. Terry Levy, Trauma Solutions, Therapy Mastermind Circle
Integrative Sex and Couples Certification Training with Tammy Nelson, PESI
Anti-Oppressive & Inclusive Care
Antiracism in Art Therapy: Aligning Our Practice with Our Values, The North Texas Art Therapy Association
The Future of Mental Health in the Black Community, Dr. Ebony Butler, Simple Practice Learning
Mirror of Intimacy: Discrimination, Dr. Alex Katehakis, Center for Healthy Sex
ADHD in the African-American Community: Strategies to Improve Care, Cheryl Hamilton, Ed.D.
How to Fight Anti-Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Hate, National Association of Social Workers
Understanding Polyamory, Simple Practice Learning
Embodied Social Justice, Anouk Shamrock, Dr. Kesha Fikes, Nkem Ndefo, Dr. Rae Johnson and Dr. Scott Lyons, The Embody Lab
Healing the Wounds of Systemic Oppression Through an Intersectional Lens, Deran Young LCSW, Academy of Therapy Wisdom
A Weight-Inclusive Approach: What Does This Really Mean?, Alsana, Kathryn Burrola, LMFT Lisa McGlothlin, MS, RD Carissa Surace, LMFT
Healing the Gender Wound: Somatic Practices for Gender Joy, Kai Cheng Thom, The Embody Lab
Suicide Prevention
The Columbia Protocol: An All-Hands Approach to Reducing Suicide, Reducing Liability, and Redirecting Scarce Resources Across States and Nations, in Healthcare & Beyond, Adam Lesser, LCSW, Nachas Consulting
Ethics & Standards
Telehealth: Legal and Ethical Issues, Simple Practice Learning
Tele-Mental Health Documentation and Medical Necessity, PESI
Mandated Reporter, New York State, Office of Children and Family Services
HIPAA Security Compliance in Mental Health, Person-Centered Tech
Who Am I?
Irene Maropakis is a Holistic Creative Art Therapist in Brooklyn, New York providing telehealth therapy services for anxiety, depression, and highly sensitive people.
The Quick Bit: I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. I am a Greek-American child of first-generation immigrants from Crete, Greece. I identify as a Bisexual woman. I have a lived experience of being a Highly Sensitive Person struggling with Depression and Anxiety. I am LGBTQ+ affirming, sex positive, and work from a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, multiculturally sensitive, & intersectional approach towards holistic embodied healing and life empowerment. I am the founder of Enodia Therapies.
The Longer Bit: As a teen, I struggled with my mental health through disordered eating, depression, and anxiety. I did not have the support systems in place, knowledge, or access to care available to assist me. I know the importance of finding a therapist who is a good fit. I struggled jumping from therapist to therapist until I found the right one. It was then that I really began to do the healing work to transform my life. As I entered adulthood and began to develop the different aspects of my sense of self, accepting my bisexuality, working through my trauma as a woman navigating the world to reclaim my feminine identity, my main tool of healing has always been the same, art making. Having had first hand experience of being a client, and now a therapist, I get it. Finding a therapist who gets you, and your particular brand of anxious, unhappy and overwhelmed is difficult, but when you find a therapist that you trust, and feel comfortable with, great empowering healing work can be done.
As someone who identifies as a Highly Sensitive Person, or HSP, I feel that we are often misunderstood and expected to change to fit a world that is not in alignment to how we experience it. When the world is sending the message that your experience is invalid, that can place mistrust in your own experience, and wreak havoc on your life. I advocate that it isn’t you who is “too sensitive” but that the world is not sensitive enough. I use my sensitivity to assist in developing your sensitivity to yourself and validating your inner experience.
When I started Enodia Therapies, my aim was to create an inclusive space where people of all walks of life can feel empowered and heard. To have a safe holding environment to explore parts of themselves in creative expressive ways. The goal most of all, is to provide embodied healing for body, mind, heart, and soul. As the name Enodia suggests, I aim to help you at whatever crossroads of your life you’re currently at and to assist you in making empowered decisions of what paths to take that align with the kind of life you want to lead.
Ready to Make the First Step?
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Ready to Make the First Step? ⤵
How I Work
I’m an Art Therapist, and you’re probably wondering what that actually is. Well, I promise you that we go a bit deeper than your average “art therapy coloring book.” (Although, I do think coloring in a kitty wearing a fireman outfit has been very understudied for its therapeutic benefits). I could rant on about technical differences and modalities, but the gist of it is that I am trained psychotherapist who utilizes the arts.
Break it down even further?
I am a therapist where you can scribble outside the lines, smear paint across a canvas, meditate in stillness or hum mantras louder than maybe your roommate, or family would prefer. (Om Mani Padme Hum anyone?) I invite you to perform and design your own healing rituals of creation that evolve from you, and for you. I invite you to create for yourself, without judgement, and maybe a dash of fearlessness too. Or none of that.
We can just talk.
I will push you to push yourself to heal.
I will get in there with you and call you out on your stuff. I am not afraid to talk about anything you need to talk about. I’ll lend a listening ear and some gentle (but firm) nudges to explore whatever it is you’re going through, all at your pace, with the respect and sensitivity you deserve.
What makes me qualified to do so?
I obtained my BFA in Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts in 2015, where I was formally trained in visual fine art forms from sculpture to painting. I then sought to merge my love of art-making with my passion for psychology and connecting with others. I obtained my MPS in Art Therapy and Creative Development in 2017 from Pratt Institute. I am currently a Licensed Creative Art Therapist (LCAT) within the state of New York. I have been doing this for the past 7 years and I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.
Who do I work with?
I enjoy working with people who struggle with identity and gender issues, depression, anxiety, and highly sensitive people. I enjoy working with people in their twenties, and thirties, because establishing healthy communication and appreciation of self early allows people to enjoy their lives much more.
I work best with people who are tired of being unhappy, indecisive and stuck, that are willing to put in the work to change. That tell themselves, “I can’t keep moving through life this way if I want to do the things I want to do, and be who I know I am.”
Whether you’re at a place where the anxiety has gnawed away at your sense of self and you feel lost, or struggling to take the next steps in life. This doesn’t have to be the only lines in your story.
Let’s find your way to you.
