Profile / United States
Marikay Gazda, LCSW
Illinois
Illinois LCSW - Anxiety and Grief
See online therapy options- CBT techniques
- Caregiver support
- End-of-life counseling
About Marikay
Marikay Gazda is an Illinois Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 35 years of practice helping people cope with depression, anxiety, grief, and major life changes. She focuses on problems that often come with aging and caregiving and supports clients facing chronic illness and end-of-life concerns.
She uses clear, practical approaches to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and patterns. Sessions often look at ways to manage panic attacks, reduce ongoing stress, and rebuild self-esteem. Communication skills and relationship concerns are addressed with simple tools people can try between sessions.
Her background includes long experience with caregiver stress, hospice and end-of-life counseling, and issues tied to chronic pain and disability. She helps clients process guilt, shame, forgiveness, and feelings of emptiness while exploring life purpose and self-love.
Marikay integrates several methods in her work, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Client-Centered techniques, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, Psychodynamic ideas, and Solution-Focused strategies. She adapts the moment-to-moment work in sessions to the practical goals each person brings.
People who want straightforward, structured help to change habits of thinking and feeling will find her approach direct and practical. She encourages small experiments in behavior and thought that can make day-to-day life more manageable.
How her therapeutic approaches translate to online sessions
Marikay uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT sessions focus on clear goals, practical exercises, and testing new responses to stressful situations. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and supporting the client’s own perspective so they can recognize their strengths and make decisions that fit their life.Finding the right approach is treated as a collaborative process. She will work with each person to clarify goals, try methods that match those goals, and adjust the plan if something is not helpful. The client’s feedback guides which techniques are emphasized over time.
The practical benefits of online sessions include fitting therapy into a busy life and keeping appointments that might otherwise be hard to reach. If you prefer to confirm the session formats offered, check the booking options before scheduling. Online work makes it easier to use short check-ins, practice communication skills between appointments, and bring real-life situations into the session for immediate problem-solving.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
35+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address most often?
She commonly helps with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, and coping with life changes. There is additional focus on caregiving, aging, chronic illness, and end-of-life matters.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
The approach is practical and structured, using methods that help people notice thoughts and try different responses. Sessions combine talking with specific exercises and small behavioral experiments.
How much experience does she have?
She has 35 years of clinical experience working with adults on emotional and life transition issues.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an Illinois LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) and practices in Illinois.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.