Mara Teal, LCMHC
A little about me…
I am proud to say that I was born and raised in Charlotte, NC (one of the few!). I am so thankful to have family nearby and love spending time with them and our great community of friends. I am someone who recharges by spending time by myself, and enjoy running, watching TV shows, trying out new donut spots, and traveling (…though not the packing part.). My husband and I have been married for 14 years and we have four fun kiddos, eight years of age and younger. Life is anything but quiet and slow at the Teal household!
Why I became a therapist
I’ve basically always wanted this job. It’s been my bent to want to be with others in the difficult parts of life, to walk with those who need some support. Actually, when I was in kindergarten, I told my classmates that I would be under the giant tire should someone need to come talk for a bit. You know…to help solve those “stressful” recess tensions. Throughout middle and high school, the most important things in my life remained my relationships. I ended up taking an AP psychology course, loved it, and psychology seemed the most logical major as I headed for undergrad. And from there, the next steps unfolded. Once I graduated with my masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, I briefly worked at an eating disorder treatment program, and then I moved on to a group private practice setting for nearly seven years. I now work independently in private practice.
To this day, relationships are a top priority. Every person is important, and every person is built for community. We need relationships; we need others. It has been my honor over the past decade to be in therapeutic relationships with clients, to help them see their dignity, while also challenging them to move towards a meaningful life. Being a therapist is a privilege and a joy to me.