Meet Marianna (she/her/hers): an adoptee, LGBTQ+ affirming intern therapist in Twin Cities, MN
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
How we might work together
As an adoptee LGBTQ+ affirming therapist, I enjoy incorporating narrative therapy elements into my counseling because I believe the stories we tell ourselves, as well as those society tells us, shape who we are and who we become. Empowering therapy participants to rewrite and reclaim their stories facilitates growth and confidence. I also use some CBT and DBT techniques to build on specific skills and tools that people can use in their everyday lives.
Who I support as an adoptee LGBTQ+ Affirming intern therapist
I am interested in working with adoptees, BIPOC individuals, and the LGBTQ+ community who are navigating their identities and life transitions. As someone who holds identities in all these areas, I feel compelled to work with people who also share some (or all) of these identities as well as who are navigating life transitions, identities, and anxiety.
I aim to have a multicultural framework that embraces the wide range of human experiences. I acknowledge that my perspective is specific to me and practice cultural humility by listening to different perspectives, questioning my own beliefs, and challenging systems that create barriers for marginalized communities. I am interested in adapting therapy to each individual therapy participant by using a collaborative approach where they are encouraged to be active participants in this process
I typically help therapy participants manage their anxiety, set and maintain boundaries in everyday life, and navigate life transitions. I assist them in learning more about the underlying concerns and help them practice using skills and being the author of their story.
A warm welcome from me
I hope that people feel relief, safety, and a sense of being welcomed when they read my bio. I want to be a therapist that therapy participants feel comfortable and relaxed around while also being vulnerable and exploratory.
What shapes how I show up
I am a Chinese adoptee, and I grew up in a small town in the Midwest. As someone who was raised in a place where most people didn’t look like me, I can understand what it feels like to lack a sense of true belonging among peers and in the community. Feeling untethered from my identities yet deeply tethered to the desire to somehow embrace them led to a lot of internal negotiation. For anyone who feels this way, just know that I know. I show up in therapy with both the knowledge and experience of feeling lost, but now I have my own personal map. It would be an honor to meet you along your path.
Some of my values include kindness, collaboration, and humility. These values guide not only how I interact with therapy participants, but how I interact with the world and myself. Being kind to oneself and others can be really difficult, but by seeking belonging and help from others and appreciating diverse perspectives, kindness flourishes. I have deep gratitude for those who have shaped who I am and who continuously push me to live by these values.
A little more about me
I enjoy baking, painting, drawing, running, writing cards/letters to my friends, and catching up with friends. Some of the activities help me feel calm and in the flow state, and some help me feel connected to my support system, both of which bring me a sense of purpose and joy!
A Little About How I See Clients: Pause and Connect and Open Path Collective
I'm currently a graduate intern therapist, which means I'm in the final stretch of my training to become a licensed therapist and work closely with an experienced supervisor here at MindBalance Mental Health Care. I know that finding a therapist can already feel like a lot, so I want to be upfront and clear about how I work and what options are available to you.
Because I'm still in training, I only see clients through two low-cost therapy programs. Take a look below and see which one feels like the right fit for where you're at.
Pause and Connect — For College Students and Recent Grads
If you're currently in college, or you graduated sometime in the last 12 months, and you're uninsured, underinsured, or just don't want to use insurance for your mental health care, this option is for you. Pause and Connect was created specifically for students and recent grads navigating this stage of life — because I believe cost shouldn't be the reason you don't get the support you need.
Open Path Collective — For Everyone Else
If it's been more than a year since you graduated, or college isn't part of your story, I'd still love to work with you — through a program called Open Path Collective.
Open Path is a nonprofit that helps connect people who are uninsured or underinsured with therapists at a rate they can actually afford. To join, there's a one-time $65 membership fee that goes straight to Open Path — not to me or this practice. That fee helps them continue this work and remain sustainable as a nonprofit, so more people can access care like this.
Once you become an Open Path member, you'll get a digital membership card, and you will just need to provide that to me as part of your intake paperwork when we set up our first session together.
If this feels like the right next step, I'd be honored to partner alongside you.
I know reaching out for support takes courage, and however you get here, I'm glad you did.
Further Reading and Resources
About the Author
Merrily Young-Hye Sadlovsky (she/her/hers), MSW, LICSW, LCSW, is a therapist, clinical supervisor, and co-owner of MindBalance Mental Health Care, an independent holistic mental health practice serving Minneapolis and individuals across Minnesota. She is an EMDRIA EMDR-Certified Therapist and teaches clinical courses as an adjunct faculty member in an MSW program in Minneapolis. Her work focuses on culturally responsive, trauma-informed therapy supporting adoptees, BIPOC, immigrant, and LGBTQ communities, and college and graduate students navigating anxiety, OCD, trauma, disordered eating, and life transitions.
Educational Disclaimer
The information shared in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects our perspectives and understanding at the time of writing. It is not intended as medical, mental health, legal, or insurance advice, and should not be relied on as such. Reading this content does not create a therapeutic or professional relationship. For guidance specific to your situation, we encourage you to consult with a qualified professional.
A Note About This Blog
The ideas and experiences behind every post are the writer’s own. AI is used as a writing helper — for brainstorming, grammar, and organizing thoughts — so the content is as clear and readable as possible. Everything is reviewed before publishing, with citations and links added to credit the programs, people, and resources that inspired it. Transparency matters, especially when the topic is mental health. Readers deserve to know how this content is made.