About Mary Kay Cocharo
Licensed Marriage And Family Therapist
I find tremendous joy witnessing the magic that unfolds when couples truly reconnect. After all, we come into the world connected. It’s our natural state. As we go through life, our connection to others is often disrupted, causing us to suffer in isolation. I believe it is only through re-connection that we restore to our original wholeness. That is why I became a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I love to facilitate the transformation that takes place when people finally meet each other in their essence.
There is much unnecessary pain in the world due to feeling disconnected. We live busy lives… stuck in what seems like endless cycles of ‘doing’. It is life changing when couples take the time to slow down, genuinely look at each other and communicate their deepest hopes, dreams, and fears to one another in the safest possible way.
Why I Became A
Licensed Marriage And
Family Therapist
I became a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist after realizing as a Professional Employment Recruiter, that I was less interested in placing employees in jobs than I was getting to know and deeply connect with the candidates. Their narratives about who they were, what excited them, their belief systems, and family histories fascinated me. I spent hours interviewing and talking to them – eliciting stories until finally I realized while I was fascinated, I still hadn’t found them jobs!
It was during a serendipitous conversation with the Dean of an MBA program I was considering that I decided to change my direction entirely and study Psychology. His question, “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather be a Psychologist?” struck a chord deep within. After years in Graduate School, an internship, a post-graduate fellowship and licensing in two states, I gravitated towards working with couples and families. I continued training in Couples Therapy for years until I became Certified in Imago Relationship Therapy and achieved the level of Master Practitioner in Encounter-centered Couples Transformation.
Commitment to Therapy
As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I have been working with couples and families for over 30 years through my private practice in West Los Angeles, California. I cannot imagine doing anything else! I am deeply passionate about helping couples and parents rediscover the joy of being together, deepen communication and resolve conflict. My heart in helping others bridge these gaps stems from my belief that regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or creed, we all want and need the same thing—love, equality, acceptance, safety and connection. I imagine a world when it is the rule, not the exception, that we see each other without judgment or fear, and instead come from a place of curiosity and interest.
I am married, the mother of three grown children, and have two beautiful granddaughters. I am actively involved in various spiritual settings and community endeavors, teaching and supervising at many Los Angeles graduate schools and training sites. I also have a passion for mentoring young therapists as they learn and practice the art of connection. My work has been featured in many publications, podcasts, and radio talk shows. I am a sought-after speaker and teacher of Couples Therapy. Whether teaching, supervising, or consulting, I love interacting with those who are eager to learn, understand, and make a difference in their own and the lives of others. I am an active member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, the Los Angeles Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, North America Imago Relationship Therapy, and Southern California Imago Therapy. I’m also proud to be an expert contributor to Your Tango and Marriage.com.
How to work with me
For more information about how to work with me in private counseling, workshops, and retreats, please contact me at therapy@mkcocharo.com
or call 310 828-2624. I am happy to offer you a free 15-minute Zoom Video Consultation to help you determine what’s best for you.
