Dr. Mariemilia Larrea, PsyD
Specialties: ages 10+, life transitions, anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, athletes, performance, relationships, loss, panic attacks, identity development, breakups, and religious trauma.
*Virtual appointments only
I am a compassionate, creative, and collaborative therapist who believes that therapy should be tailored to your unique needs, identities, and goals. My aim is to create a space where you feel supported, challenged, and empowered to grow. Together, we work toward developing insight, building resilience, and strengthening the tools needed to navigate both everyday life and high-pressure moments.
Throughout my training, I have worked with individuals across the lifespan, from young children to older adults, and in a variety of settings including inpatient units, college counseling centers, athletic departments, hospitals, and neurological clinics. This diverse training allows me to integrate multiple treatment approaches depending on what will best support each client. I also have extensive experience working with BIPOC individuals and Spanish-speaking clients and strive to practice with cultural humility and awareness.
I specialize in working with athletes, performers, creatives, musicians, and high-performing individuals. As a professor who has taught performance psychology at the university level, I have had the opportunity to both teach and apply evidence-based strategies that help individuals perform at their highest potential while maintaining their mental well-being.
Many of the individuals I work with seek support for challenges such as panic attacks, depression, ADHD, OCD, grief, breakups, performance anxiety, and life transitions. Others come to therapy to better understand patterns in their relationships and develop healthier ways of communicating, connecting, and navigating conflict.
I also enjoy working with male-identifying clients who want to better understand their experiences in relationships. Together, we often explore topics such as emotional expression, communication, expectations in dating or partnerships, and how past experiences influence current relationship patterns.
Clients who wish to explore identity, purpose, faith, or existential questions are also welcome in my practice. These conversations can be meaningful pathways to understanding oneself and creating a life aligned with personal values.
Performance Optimization Coaching
In addition to therapy, I offer Performance Optimization Coaching for individuals working in high-demand environments. This work is ideal for athletes, performers, executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals who want to strengthen focus, confidence, resilience, and consistency under pressure.
My passion for this work comes from seeing how powerful mental skills can be in helping individuals move from simply managing pressure to performing with clarity, confidence, and intention. While rooted in sport psychology, these strategies translate well to many fast-paced professions where mental performance matters.
Pronouns: She, her, hers
Therapy Approach
I believe each person is made up of many intersecting identities that are often muted or not explored. My main forms of therapeutic treatments are from Compassionate Focus Therapy (CFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Gestalt therapy, and psychodynamic lenses. I am also well-trained in most treatment styles relevant to individual and couple’s therapy. I also have training in CBT, DBT, ACT, and humanistic therapies. I love getting creative with my therapeutic techniques and find that healing can be interactive and fun, while also very profound and meaningful. My treatment approach is specifically tailored to your presenting concern and goals in a way that is out-of-the-box at times.
What would you say to someone who is considering therapy?
Beginning therapy can be really difficult to initiate and is not often championed. The fact that you have come this far and are looking at our page to see if we are a good fit matters and is something to be proud of. Therapy can be fun, interactive, and really meaningful. Putting yourself first is important and hopefully you feel welcomed to begin this journey and allow us to be part of it.
Education
- -> Albizu University, Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
- -> Brigham Young University, Predoctoral Internship
- -> Albizu University, Master of Science in General Psychology
- -> Florida Atlantic University, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
- -> Duke University, Medical Neuroscience Certificate
- -> Cognitive Processing Therapy: Veteran/Military
Experience
- -> Assistant Professor: Performance Psychology
- -> Intern/Resident: BYU Counseling & Psychological Services
- -> Health Extern: Jackson Memorial Hospital; Miami Transplant Institute; Special Immunology Clinic
- -> Psychiatry Extern: Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, inpatient unit & Intensive Outpatient Program
- -> Neuropsychology Extern: Design Neuroscience Center
- -> Forensic Children’s Advocate: Guardian Ad Litem
- -> Community Mental Health: Goodman Psychological Center
- -> Chairman/President: Elevate Global Ministry, Inc.